Independent restaurant and cafe consultant

Independent restaurant, cafe and bar owners, new operators opening a venue, and owners whose margins have slipped.

Fixed project fees (such as a menu and costing review), day rates for on-site work, or a monthly retainer for ongoing support.

• Hands-on restaurant or bar experience
• Food costing and basic bookkeeping
• Clear communication and tact with owners
• Spotting problems in daily operations

• Commercial general liability and professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance, check what suits advisory work
• Registration for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, check with the Canada Revenue Agency
• Use a written agreement that clearly states scope, fees and that you give advice rather than guarantee results
• Do not advise on rules you are unsure about; food safety and liquor licensing differ by province, so point owners to the local public health unit or provincial liquor regulator
• Income can be uneven at first, and restaurants may slow down in quiet seasons

Estimates put startup costs at typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on insurance, templates and tools, and basic marketing. Most of the value comes from your hands-on experience rather than equipment.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $6,000, depending on how many projects you take and your fees. The estimate assumes at least 8 hours a week. Income can be uneven at first, and venues may slow in quiet seasons.

Check professional liability and commercial general liability insurance, GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold, and use a written agreement on scope and fees. Food safety and liquor licensing differ by province, so point owners to the local public health unit or liquor regulator.