How To Become a Restaurant Consultant in 2024

Becoming a Restaurant Consultant and helping restaurants grow and refine their operations can be a very rewarding and challenging career path. 

But how do you get into such a profession? Well, there are many different paths that you can take to become a Restaurant Consultant. 

However, based on Restaurant Consultants who found jobs on OysterLink, it comes down to two pathways:

• A structured one with professional guidance from a reputable institution
• A self-guided one, where you take the initiative and have a personalized approach to learning and acquiring the necessary skills

That being said, let’s discuss both options so that you can choose one that aligns with your interests and career goals.

Paid Approach to Becoming a Restaurant Consultant

Completing a paid course from a reputable institution will help kick-start your journey to becoming a Restaurant Consultant. 

Not only will you learn everything you need to know for the role, but you’ll also get a certificate to show for it. The certificate alone will give you an edge over other candidates who apply for the same job as you.

Top 3 Programs for Restaurant Consultants

Many reputable institutions in the U.S. provide diploma and degree programs for aspiring Restaurant Consultants. 

Here are three that provide training and education on topics like restaurant management, marketing, operations improvement and financial analysis.

1. Culinary Institute of America

This is the most renowned culinary institution in America. They have courses on restaurant management, business strategies and culinary arts — all of which are important aspects that every aspiring Restaurant Consultant should master.

When you complete their program (which comes with a semester-long internship), you’ll get a Hospitality Management degree. 

This will open the doors for you not only as a Restaurant Consultant, but also as an Event Planner, Hotel Manager, Executive Chef, Assistant Restaurant Manager, Sommelier and more.

2. Institute of Culinary Education

The Institute of Culinary Education is a highly accredited institution whose certifications are widely accepted. They offer a diploma program in Restaurant and Culinary Management. 

This program offers hands-on training in restaurant operations and entrepreneurship to people who want to get into the management side of the culinary world.

It is available on their NYC and Los Angeles campuses, with multiple schedule options to accommodate those who have full-time jobs.

3. Cornell University – School of Hotel Administration

Cornell University is another premier institution that offers well-renowned hospitality management programs. These range from undergraduate and master’s degrees to certificate programs. 

Their programs combine advanced guidance with hands-on experiential learning to prepare you for a wide range of careers in hospitality management.

Pros and Cons of Attending These Programs

Considering enrolling into one of the aforementioned programs? Here are some of the pros and cons to account for:

Pros

• In-depth knowledge: These courses provide comprehensive training in every aspect of restaurant management and operations.
• Credibility: Certifications acquired from these programs make you an attractive candidate for restaurant consulting jobs across the U.S.
• Networking: You get to interact with industry professionals which can be very beneficial for a career in consulting.

Cons

• Fairly high costs: These programs can be expensive, with their costs ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
• Time demands: While some programs require only a few weeks to complete, others can take months or even years.

How To Become a Restaurant Consultant For Free

If you don’t have the means to invest in formal education — don’t worry! There are still ways for you to become a Restaurant Consultant.

Apply for Similar Positions To Gain More Experience

If you don’t have experience in consulting and don’t want to take the paid route, you should consider starting with a role such as a Restaurant Manager, Assistant Restaurant Manager or assistant to an established Restaurant Consultant.

Working in a similar role can help you get a firm grasp on the industry’s workings and help prepare you for the consulting role.

Check Free Resources on the Internet

The internet gives us access to an infinite amount of useful information. 

You can find valuable information on different websites (like ours!), YouTube videos and industry publications that can help you learn more about the challenges and strategies used to solve those challenges.

We have articles detailing what a restaurant consulting career entails and what the general responsibilities of a Restaurant Consultant are.

The Restaurant Boss is one YouTube channel that we highly recommend. It offers practical advice on general business operations and provides tips on how to increase profits, control costs, improve marketing and more.

Below is one of their videos which talks about the usefulness of creating systems and procedures and the importance of managing systems and developing people.

Take Advantage of Your Existing Experience

Most Restaurant Consultants have spent years in other roles in the restaurant industry, gaining experience in operations, management and the culinary arts. If you already have some experience in either or all of these fields, you can utilize your skills to start consulting. 

When determining which specific services you’d offer as a Restaurant Consultant, You can focus on areas where you excel. 

These may include, whether it’s improving customer service and, operational efficiency, developing new menu items or developing different marketing strategies.

See also: How To Improve Restaurant Operations Effectively