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< WHAT WE DO

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HELP AND ADVICE FOR FOOD, DRINK AND HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES……

Christopher Barber is one of the most prominent hospitality, food and beverage experts in Europe, with a wealth and breadth of knowledge and experience.

CBFS is owned and run by Chris; modern, creative thinking and professional Hotel, Restaurant, Food Business and Catering Consultancy, with a wealth of hospitality expertise. With a creative and discerning eye, Chris can make the best hospitality businesses even better.

Whether a new business start up, or an established corporate, our expertise can identify and make the difference between simply a good idea, and a sustainable business proposition.

who we work for

SEE ALL PROJECTS

“My business was heading for disaster, then CB Food Solutions was introduced to me.
They helped me rethink and reinvent the business, offering both specific and general advice.
I now have a thriving and successful enterprise. I owe them so much.”

Sally Hughes, The Mill at Sonning

areas of expertise

Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Pub & Bar Consultancy

From a hotel staff canteen to a Michelin-starred dining room, I can help any establishment to launch, improve or roll out its food & beverage business.

  • Brainstorms, creative workshops and feasibility studies to get your business off to a flying start.
  • Fully scoped out menu design and improvements from our innovative and knowledgeable culinary team
  • Troubleshooting to improve standards, boost profits, save waste and drive footfall and revenue

I also offer a complete service to help you make your idea happen in a way that’s good business. I can deliver your concept to launch and beyond…

Public Space, Private Member Club & The Arts Consultancy

I can design or improve the existing customer experience and profitability associated with food and beverage in public spaces, whether a theatre, museum, gallery, private club or performance space.

You are in expert hands, with over 30 years of advising some of the most iconic public spaces and venues under my belt, including The Royal Albert Hall, Royal Shakespeare Company, Garsington Opera, The Longleat Estate, The Lowry and Picture House Cinemas.

Having worked on both the client and the caterer’s side, I have a unique insight into the challenges of operating a catering service from the perspective of a caterer, restaurateur and board of directors.

There is a whole range of services I provide, including:

  • Concept implementation
  • Strategic review
  • Operational consultancy
  • Tender documentation and management
  • Budget, forecast and future planning

Menu Development & Beverage Curation

I can help you create, design or improve your menu or retail food product and take your business to the next level. I have helped some of the largest food suppliers alongside some niche, artisan producers; giving an objective view of the full spectrum of New Product Development for the food and drink business.

Business Audit and Diagnosis

If you are facing business difficulties; finance, operations, product quality or staffing for example, I will spend a day with you and diagnose the issues first hand, bringing instant, medium and long-term solutions and action plans.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but I can use our experience to make an instant impact, with improvements happening immediately. The day would be attended by me and if needed another from my expert network, specialists in your field, and together with you we can solve a multitude of issues in rapid time, and deliver the first steps to business recovery or improvement.

Included can be mystery dine or product evaluation, maximising the impact of our ‘fresh eyes’ on your business.

As the day unfolds and the requirements of the business are further identified, I will create a clear “operational action plan” prioritising further actions required at this stage. This will be emailed to the business owner within 24 hours.

Concept Creation

I can create a brand new vision for you, either from your own ‘seed’ idea, or something from our own repertoire. Typically, I kick off with a number of draft options which can then be whittled down to a direction and concept of your choice. Adding on layers of detail as we go, I then bring in all of our services to implement and launch the business on your behalf. Importantly, I can marry together concept and design with a sound and sustainable business outcome.

See our Case Studies for examples of our Concept Creation services.

Turnkey Solutions

Whether you are a start-up or redefining your business, we can offer a turnkey solution, from concept creation/recreation right through to post launch support.

I am flexible in the way of working and understand that the key to success is gaining the buy-in and confidence in the project from yourselves and the team. It is therefore important to involve you in every step of the way by setting up weekly meetings and check backs within a predetermined critical path.

Below is a selective list of services within such a potential turnkey project:

• Market research
• Concept creation
• Brand & interior design
• Marcomms and marketing collateral
• Menu development & beverage curation
• Front of house and back of house space planning
• Operating supplies & equipment
• Procurement & supply chain
• Front of house and kitchen collateral
• Standard operating procedures
• Front of house and kitchen training
• Pre, launch and post launch support

Business Development & Expansion

Expanding a business creates many challenges. Using my experience, I can help achieve your ambitions, whether it is to increase the offer and sales in your existing site, or to roll out your business into multiple sites.

I can help with the following:

  • Market analysis to determine the scope for expansion
  • Budget and forecasting for expansion
  • Investment and funding advice
  • Assistance and advice with site procurement
  • Brand and design development
  • Recruitment, training and key staff development
  • Implementation of manuals and training materials suited to multi-site operation
  • Marketing & promotion

areas of expertise

Hotel, Restaurant, Pub & Bar Consultancy

Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Pub & Bar Consultancy

From a hotel staff canteen to a Michelin-starred dining room, I can help any establishment to launch, improve or roll out its food & beverage business.

  • Brainstorms, creative workshops and feasibility studies to get your business off to a flying start.
  • Fully scoped out menu design and improvements from our innovative and knowledgeable culinary team
  • Troubleshooting to improve standards, boost profits, save waste and drive footfall and revenue

I also offer a complete service to help you make your idea happen in a way that’s good business. I can deliver your concept to launch and beyond…

Public Space, Private Member Club & The Arts Consultancy

Public Space, Private Member Club & The Arts Consultancy

I can design or improve the existing customer experience and profitability associated with food and beverage in public spaces, whether a theatre, museum, gallery, private club or performance space.

You are in expert hands, with over 30 years of advising some of the most iconic public spaces and venues under my belt, including The Royal Albert Hall, Royal Shakespeare Company, Garsington Opera, The Longleat Estate, The Lowry and Picture House Cinemas.

Having worked on both the client and the caterer’s side, I have a unique insight into the challenges of operating a catering service from the perspective of a caterer, restaurateur and board of directors.

There is a whole range of services I provide, including:

  • Concept implementation
  • Strategic review
  • Operational consultancy
  • Tender documentation and management
  • Budget, forecast and future planning

Menu Development & Beverage Curation

Menu Development & Beverage Curation

I can help you create, design or improve your menu or retail food product and take your business to the next level. I have helped some of the largest food suppliers alongside some niche, artisan producers; giving an objective view of the full spectrum of New Product Development for the food and drink business.

Business Audit and Diagnosis

Business Audit and Diagnosis

If you are facing business difficulties; finance, operations, product quality or staffing for example, I will spend a day with you and diagnose the issues first hand, bringing instant, medium and long-term solutions and action plans.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but I can use our experience to make an instant impact, with improvements happening immediately. The day would be attended by me and if needed another from my expert network, specialists in your field, and together with you we can solve a multitude of issues in rapid time, and deliver the first steps to business recovery or improvement.

Included can be mystery dine or product evaluation, maximising the impact of our ‘fresh eyes’ on your business.

As the day unfolds and the requirements of the business are further identified, I will create a clear “operational action plan” prioritising further actions required at this stage. This will be emailed to the business owner within 24 hours.

Concept Creation, Turnkey Solutions

Concept Creation

I can create a brand new vision for you, either from your own ‘seed’ idea, or something from our own repertoire. Typically, I kick off with a number of draft options which can then be whittled down to a direction and concept of your choice. Adding on layers of detail as we go, I then bring in all of our services to implement and launch the business on your behalf. Importantly, I can marry together concept and design with a sound and sustainable business outcome.

See our Case Studies for examples of our Concept Creation services.

Turnkey Solutions

Whether you are a start-up or redefining your business, we can offer a turnkey solution, from concept creation/recreation right through to post launch support.

I am flexible in the way of working and understand that the key to success is gaining the buy-in and confidence in the project from yourselves and the team. It is therefore important to involve you in every step of the way by setting up weekly meetings and check backs within a predetermined critical path.

Below is a selective list of services within such a potential turnkey project:

• Market research
• Concept creation
• Brand & interior design
• Marcomms and marketing collateral
• Menu development & beverage curation
• Front of house and back of house space planning
• Operating supplies & equipment
• Procurement & supply chain
• Front of house and kitchen collateral
• Standard operating procedures
• Front of house and kitchen training
• Pre, launch and post launch support

Business Development & Expansion

Business Development & Expansion

Expanding a business creates many challenges. Using my experience, I can help achieve your ambitions, whether it is to increase the offer and sales in your existing site, or to roll out your business into multiple sites.

I can help with the following:

  • Market analysis to determine the scope for expansion
  • Budget and forecasting for expansion
  • Investment and funding advice
  • Assistance and advice with site procurement
  • Brand and design development
  • Recruitment, training and key staff development
  • Implementation of manuals and training materials suited to multi-site operation
  • Marketing & promotion

How We Can Help

“Whichever stage you are at, my expertise will help you to start up, grow, diagnose, redefine or even exit your business.”

START UP & LAUNCH

“Making a good idea, a commercial and experiential success”

The planning stage is critical to the success of your venture, we can guide you through market research, feasibility and detailed concept creation phases.

By getting the fundamentals right, we will ensure the best route to success.

GROW

“Finding the problem is easy, solving it is where we help”

We analyse and solve problems; including finance, operations, product quality and staffing. We diagnose the issues first hand, bringing instant solutions alongside longer term sustainable strategies.

ESTABLISH

“You can’t do today’s job with yesterday’s methods and be in business tomorrow”

CBFS work with a multitude of businesses big and small, reviewing operating procedures, helping develop concepts, overseeing contract caterers, training and everything in between.

EXPAND

“People have been convinced that growth for growth’s sake is a good thing”

Expanding a business creates many challenges. Using our experience, we will help you to achieve your ambitions, whether it is to increase sales in your existing site, or to roll out your business to multiple locations.

REDEFINE

“The only way you survive is to continuously transform and innovate”

Monitoring and evolving your business is vital, we ensure that you are ahead of the curve as well as delivering a consistent experience.

We take emotion out of the experience, reviewing your business practices and coming up with clear concise deliverables for you and your team to work towards.

EXIT

Whether full or partial exit, we will use our knowledge, connections and expertise to negotiate the best outcome in all circumstances”

In an environment where businesses are valued on multiples of EBITDA, every 1% of profit is critical. We will make your business investor ready by maximising efficiency and profitability in every discipline.

How We Can Help

“Whichever stage you are at, my expertise will help you to start up, grow, diagnose, redefine or even exit your business.”

Start Up

START UP & LAUNCH

“Making a good idea, a commercial and experiential success”

The planning stage is critical to the success of your venture, we can guide you through market research, feasibility and detailed concept creation phases.

By getting the fundamentals right, we will ensure the best route to success.

Grow

GROW

“Finding the problem is easy, solving it is where we help”

We analyse and solve problems; including finance, operations, product quality and staffing. We diagnose the issues first hand, bringing instant solutions alongside longer term sustainable strategies.

Establish

ESTABLISH

“You can’t do today’s job with yesterday’s methods and be in business tomorrow”

CBFS work with a multitude of businesses big and small, reviewing operating procedures, helping develop concepts, overseeing contract caterers, training and everything in between.

Expand

EXPAND

“People have been convinced that growth for growth’s sake is a good thing”

Expanding a business creates many challenges. Using our experience, we will help you to achieve your ambitions, whether it is to increase sales in your existing site, or to roll out your business to multiple locations.

Redefine

REDEFINE

“The only way you survive is to continuously transform and innovate”

Monitoring and evolving your business is vital, we ensure that you are ahead of the curve as well as delivering a consistent experience.

We take emotion out of the experience, reviewing your business practices and coming up with clear concise deliverables for you and your team to work towards.

Maturity

EXIT

Whether full or partial exit, we will use our knowledge, connections and expertise to negotiate the best outcome in all circumstances”

In an environment where businesses are valued on multiples of EBITDA, every 1% of profit is critical. We will make your business investor ready by maximising efficiency and profitability in every discipline.

How We Work

Services

Our extensive list of services can be tailored to the specific needs of your business.

CONCEPT

• Market analysis
• Assess current trends
• Pillars & values
• F&B offering
• Interior design
• Service style & characteristics

OPERATIONS

• Space planning FOH & BOH
• Operational flow & productivity
• Standard operating procedures
• Procurement
• Operating supplies & equipment

FINANCIALS

• Forecasts
• P&Ls
• Cashflow
• Ramp up
• Capex

MENU DEVELOPMENT

• Menu concept & design
• Kitchen collateral
• Recipe & build cards
• Cost analysis
• Supply chain
• Product tastings

SUPPORT

• Prelaunch
• Launch
• Post launch

HUMAN RESOURCES

• Recruitment support
• Training
• Collateral

ADMIN

• Landlord/investor packs
• Project management
• Tender processes

COACHING & MENTORING

• Individual key members
• Experiential days
• Retainer basis