Small Business Consultant - Restaurant Operations and Growth

The Orange County / Inland Empire Small Business Development Center Network is a federal program partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration & the California Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development. The SBDC is hosted by CSU, Fullerton. The purpose of this grant is to provide no-cost technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Orange County. The CSUF SBDC is seeking a Consultant with extensive experience in the restaurant industry with focus on operations and growth.

Owned and operated their own restaurant location, preferably multiple locations.

* Please be aware that funding for this position is awarded through a Grant/Contract over a specified period. Employment for this position beyond current Grant/Contract funding is contingent upon continued funding or new Grant/Contract.

• Provide consulting, training, and information services in the region to pre-venture, start-up, and small size businesses.
• Maintain client database by preparing detailed written assessment and make recommendations for improvements.
• Keep abreast of business trends, techniques, and processes.
• Work collaboratively with peers and the business community to expand expertise.
• Community outreach responsibilities will include public presentations to key stakeholders and service on appropriate boards and committees related to economic development.
• Travel as required to perform cross county-wide job functions.
• Complete all forms and maintain client files as required by the SBA.
• Document information, assistance, and outcomes of sessions with clients related to consulting and training activities performed by the consultant.
• Provide Center with timely reports related to milestones and success stories of client’s economic outcomes.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Must be previous or current small business owner.
• Key understanding of small business issues related to food businesses and restaurants.
• Owned a restaurant location, preferably multiple locations.
• Key understanding of small business issues related to the food/restaurant industry.
• Extensive knowledge in the ins and outs of day-to-day restaurant operations, employee management, staff operations, budget analysis, pricing models, inventory control, health department requirements and lease negotiations.
• Proven experience managing multi-unit restaurant operations.
• Expertise in creating and implementing growth strategies for restaurants including market analysis, site selection, and operational scaling.
• Skills in developing standard operating procedures to maintain quality and consistency across multiple locations.
• Ability to assess readiness and manage budgets.
• Expertise in hiring, training and retaining staff for scalability.
• Knowledge of menu design to maximize profitability and operational efficiency across locations.
• Proficiency in managing supplier relationships and logistics.
• Proficiency in analyzing sales, labor and operational data to guide strategic decisions.
• Experience in advising small businesses.
• Experience delivering business presentations on a variety of topics in a public setting to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious work relations with staff, clients, government agency(s), business resources, and the general public.
• Computer skills with working knowledge of various software packages are necessary.

• Expertise in site selection, commercial lease analysis and negotiation, occupancy-cost analysis, and location strategy.
• Bilingual – Spanish or Vietnamese, preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and proficiency with computers and web-based research

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in a business-related field or equivalent experience in business management or financial analysis (minimum four years), or bachelor’s degree in any field with two years of business management or business ownership.

Lifting of up to 25lbs.; periodic bending; long-term periods of sitting; long term periods operating a computer.

CSU Fullerton, Auxiliary Services Corporation (ASC)…