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The Fifty/50 Group Consulting

FIFTY/50 GROUP CONSULTING®️

CURRENT and PAST CLIENTS

  • The Cauldron (Chicago & New York)

  • Crumbl Cookies (Schaumburg)

  • El Coyote (Oklahoma)

  • Old Grounds Social (Chicago)

  • Bad Guy Bagels (Geneva)

  • Eldr + Ryme (Milwaukee)

  • Bar Salotto (Arlington Heights)

  • dana hotel and spa (Chicago)

  • HI-VIBE Superfood Juicery (Chicago)

  • Bar Cicchetti (Oklahoma City)

  • Athena Greek Restaurant (Chicago)

                                 OUR  EXPERTISE

The Fifty/50 Group, initially established with the goal of buying a small property and opening a restaurant in Chicago’s Wicker Park area, has seen remarkable growth since its inception in 2008. It has now developed, managed, and consulted on over 30 unique restaurant, bar, and cannabis ventures, spread across more than 25 locations in the Midwest and New York.

As the group looks to expand its consulting division, they’ve now acquired Korgen Hospitality. The Fifty/50 Group has worked with Korgen Hospitality previously for specific projects with very measurable KPIs, because even established hospitality groups need an expert consultant to achieve a desired outcome within a specific timeframe. Positive outcomes, shared methodology, and a belief in the same core values became the formation of the Group’s consulting division and partnership.

Under the guidance of Ken McGarrie, Fifty/50 Group Consulting team draws from extensive experience in the hospitality sector to collaborate with a variety of clients, helping them tackle their most pressing challenges and seize opportunities. Clients who work with Fifty/50 Group Consulting benefit from the expertise of not only the Leadership Team but also from a network of operators across various ventures, who bring specialized skills in strategic planning, operational management, and leadership training.

OUR SERVICES

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

    • Concept Launch & Creation:  Location Selection, Food & Beverage, Full Menu Development, Imaging & Branding, Menu Design, and On-Hand Friends & Family/VIP & Media Night
    • Build Outs:  Schematic Design, Kitchen & Bar Design, Space Efficiencies, Construction Consultation, Critical Timeline Creation & Tracking
    • Operations Setup:  Introducing Systems & Standard Operating Procedures, Financial Input & Reporting, Vendor & Equipment Negotiation, Venue Audits, Team & Manager Communication.
Strategic Development is a core consulting component for the Fifty/50 Group in Chicago
Operational Excellence and Execution Consulting Services from the Fifty/50 Group

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

    • Sales Growth Strategy:  Menu Development, Content Management, Mapping Service Touchpoints
    • Locating Talent:  Hiring Strategies, Interview Coaching, Essential Job Descriptions, Team Retention
    • Staff Training:  Compliance Handbooks, Custom Department Manuals, Management Communication Strategies, Manager Competency Evaluations
    • Inventory Management:  Inventory Systems, On-Hand Kitchen & Bar Count Training, Cost of Goods Reporting & Training, Calculating Actual vs Theoretical COGS
    • Profit & Loss:  Labor Tracking, Team Cross-Utilization, Overhead Management, Tax Incentives, Property Negotiation

ONGOING LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS

    • Quarterly & Annual Meetings:  Introducing Management to Strategic & Long-Term Planning
    • Hospitality Training:  Elevated Steps of Service, Online Training Program Development, Advanced Management Training, Building Hospitality in Any Environment
    • Customizable Seminars:  Workshops for all levels from executive to hourly.
Locally sourced ingredients at Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails

We can also refer you to our partners at Second City who do several styles of leadership classes.

WHAT NOBODY
TELLS YOU ABOUT

    • Government & Neighborhood Relations:   Relationship Management, Political & Neighborhood Association Management for New & Existing Concepts
    • Reputation Enhancement & Management:  Response & Messaging Strategies for Online Feedback, Introduction to Reliable Technologies, Rewards Program Implementation
    • Private Events & Catering:  Building a Book of Business, Client Communication & Sales Strategy, Onsite & Offsite Event Management
    • Social Media Management: Building a Valuable Online Presence, the Right Photography for your Target Market, Utilizing Influencers Effectively

“Ken has been a godsend for me and my mission-driven company.” – Nick Boskovich @ Hi-Vibe Superfood Juicery
The Cocktails at Apogee
The rooftop at Utopian Tailgate is a project owned and managed by the Fifty/50 Group. It is one of the highest grossing rooftops in the Midwest.
“Ken has been an exceptional resource for our restaurant group. We have utilized their help with management development and implementation of lasting SOPs to overall operational assessment and hands-on staff training. ” Chris Bader, Owner @ 8 Hospitality Group (Chicago, IL)
Eggs Benedict with housemade charcuterie
The Fifty/50 Group is able to coordinate with any designer to create an exceptional floorplan on any reasonable budget

We Love the Details
And The Details Matter 

Attention to detail and the pursuit of continuous improvement are the foundation of excellence in the hospitality industry. By focusing on making just one aspect of service or operations better each day, you create a compounding effect that generates momentum. Momentum is inspiring to others and is a major component in team growth.

The notion of competing with restaurants that have been there longer and are more established in a community may seem daunting. However, true differentiation lies in doing a multitude of small things better.  You cannot be 1000% better than the restaurant down the street, but you can do 1,000 things better. That’s what we are here for.

Our role as consultants is to guide and support you through these countless improvements. By identifying opportunities, offering insights, and providing strategies, we will empower you to build and sustain your team’s momentum. 

We can help you bring your unique vision of hospitality to life.

Creating unique visions of hospitality

LETS GET
IN TOUCH