Small Business Consulting
Restaurant Resiliance Project
The Res
Restaurant Resilience Project
About This Project
This series was developed through the Small Business Impact Initiative Grant, awarded by National Grid and the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce (MALGBTCC). It includes a white paper examining the challenges facing the restaurant industry nationwide, viewed through the lens of Downtown Northampton. While the research centers on Northampton, the issues mirror those found in many small downtowns.
​
The accompanying guides translate these findings into practical tools that are actionable, realistic, and easy to adapt to a wide range of business needs. They focus on the operational details that often get overlooked but quietly shape perception, spending, and overall performance. By showing how these factors directly influence profitability and long‑term stability, the guides give owners and managers clear steps to build a more efficient, welcoming, and financially resilient business. You can find all the materials below.
White Paper
Understanding Today’s Restaurant Challenges
A clear, data-backed look at the biggest pressures facing small restaurants today, from shifting customer expectations to rising costs and labor strain. Using Downtown Northampton as a case study, it highlights where restaurants are losing traction and identifies the strategic fixes with the highest impact. Click below to read the full report.
Management Guide
Building the Foundation
This guide shares simple, low‑cost practices that strengthen communication, reduce friction during service, and keep labor costs in check. Each solution is data‑informed and designed to make your restaurant run smoother with tools you can put to work right away.
Sense of Place and Atmosphere
Atmosphere that Drives the Bottom Line
This guide explores the psychology of guest comfort and the principles behind a successful dining experience. When guests feel at ease, they stay longer, spend more, and are more likely to return. Inside, you’ll find simple, actionable ways to improve comfort, flow, and ambiance using research‑backed techniques that are realistic for any space.
Menu Engineering
Put Your Menu to Work
Menu engineering is a practical way to use your menu’s layout and design to influence what guests notice, value and order. Good menu engineering is a low‑cost way to quickly improve margins and make your menu work harder for you. This guide gives you the simple steps to get started.
Product Mix Workbook
Defining Menu Success
The Product Mix Workbook helps you put your real numbers into action. With just a few simple inputs, it generates automated insights into how popular and profitable each dish is, giving you a clear picture of what’s working and what may need attention. From there, you can start building strategy around pricing, menu design, and overall profitability. It’s an easy‑to‑use resource designed to support better decisions and strengthen your business.
Questions & Next Steps
Turning Insight to Action
Are you interested in bringing these tools to life in your business, or a deeper conversation about what you’ve read? Reach out for a free 30‑minute conversation to talk through the material, your questions, and how these insights can translate to your operation.