Finding money sources for clients and getting the financing done is a major challenge for a hotel real estate advisor in this current economy and funding climate. This step by step advice from a hospitality finance lender, Jane Larkin, managing director of Larkin Hospitality Finance, and published in HotelNewsNow.com is worth reading in my opinion.…
Our firm engagements occasionally involve being a restaurant expert witness on employment, labor and wage policy and it is a good time for owners, operators and managers to review their own in-house procedures accordingly. Recent disputes initiated by current and former hospitality and foodservice industry employees over tip sharing are on the rise and there…
If you are a family office investor, real estate fund or high net worth individual, right now is the time to buy a hotel in the USA. Here’s a look at five reasons why it makes sense sooner than later: 1. Historically Low Interest Rates The recent decision by the Feds to keep interest rates…
Certain news about lawsuits from a restaurant expert witness perspective should be a wakeup call to check your food purchasing and handling practices from time to time as it concerns nut allergies. In particular, are those issues that surround recipes and dishes that contain peanuts that may be a cause for severe allergy reactions or…
In the late 1990’s, one strategy by a restaurant turnaround consultant was to maximize the ROI on leased and owned space. This is typically accomplished where a leased space can be used to house two distinct but complimentary brands, such as pairing a KFC (Chicken) store with a Taco Bell (Mexican). The other is to…
The latest report by restaurant management consultants puts fast casual segment with continued growth despite the economy. Fast casual restaurant traffic in the USA has grown 6%, 4% and 7% respectively in the last three years, unlike other segments that report lower or even negative growth patterns. According to the NPD Group/CREST: “NPD’s “Fast Casual: A…
Many a restaurant owner and operator in California says this restaurant consultant is concerned about how to administer the meal and rest breaks for employees in an industry that has low profit margins and high staff turnover. The recent upcoming ruling on the Brinker case will impact that concern, hopefully in a positive way but…
There is a certain romanticism attached to owning a restaurant for many. For others, a restaurant is simply part of a way to drive visitors to a venue. Whatever the case, any restaurant represents a major investment of time and dollars. This is the case for a hotel, a resort, or even a strip mall.…
Having a hotel operations expert take a look at your policies and procedures and supervisory practices is a good idea if you are planning to implement employee background checks as part of the screening and hiring process. Given the complexity surrounding the many issues of compliance with federal and state laws, it is best to…
Court appointed receivers, lenders and lawyers will gather to hear about what to expect in commercial real estate this year for the office, industrial, hotel and agriculture sectors on February 29, 2012. The event is a joint presentation by the Bay Area and Sacramento Chapters of the California Receivers Forum and will be held from…