Independent hospitality advisory · AU / NZ
Hospitality is demanding, and when you are close to the operation every day, it can be difficult to see what needs attention first.
I work alongside owners and managers to bring a fresh perspective, practical priorities and hands-on support, without losing what makes the venue distinctive.
Who I work with
The right support looks different at each stage. I work alongside owners and managers to put the service standards, people, numbers and systems in place for what comes next.
Build the foundations before opening: budgets, technology, purchasing, cost of goods, sequence of service, onboarding materials and practical systems. Give your team clear expectations and the confidence to deliver from the first service.
Build systems that can scale and be replicated across multiple venues. Create consistent workflows, reporting and controls that give owners streamlined visibility across the group while allowing each venue to operate confidently.
Build consistency in service, onboarding, reporting and cost controls across the group. Give managers clear ownership while retaining what makes each venue distinctive.
Already running one venue and looking to strengthen performance? I can help with that too.
Talk through your next stepWhere I can help
Great hospitality takes more than good systems. Service standards, capable teams and commercial discipline all matter. I help you take a clear look at the operation, identify what needs attention and put practical improvements in place.
Take a fresh look at commercial performance and day-to-day operations. Identify immediate fixes, understand the bigger decisions and agree what to tackle first.
Explore this serviceReview the guest journey, floor operations and service standards. Help teams deliver a consistent experience while keeping each venue’s own character.
Explore this serviceGive new starters a practical, thorough introduction to protect the guest experience and help managers coach, train and lead their teams through service.
Explore this serviceMake POS, stock, reservations, rostering and accounting work seamlessly together, with clearer, accessible reporting and less double handling.
Explore this serviceOwner-side project management and operational delivery for new venues, fit-outs and expansion projects. Bring the commercial plan, operating model, systems, suppliers, people and opening programme together so the business is ready to trade—not simply built.
Explore this service
Practical help, directly with Dan
My career spans more than 25 years across hospitality and premium drinks—as an operator, founder, CEO, COO and board member. Hospitality businesses have been customers, commercial partners and, more recently, the operations I was directly responsible for.
My role is to bring a clear outside view and help turn good intentions into changes your managers and teams can actually use.
Meet DanDirect advice on the guest experience, team capability and commercial performance, with a clear view of what needs attention first.
Clear expectations, useful training and routines that help teams deliver consistently through a busy service.
Focused project support, better information and clear responsibilities, so managers can stay close to their teams and guests.
Focused project support
Your managers are already balancing service, rosters, suppliers and the guest experience. I bring the time and outside perspective to lead a focused review or improvement project while they stay close to their teams and guests.
We agree what matters first, keep your managers involved and leave them with practical tools, clear responsibilities and the confidence to maintain the change.
A straightforward way to start
Start with a conversation, choose the right review and agree the priorities. Any implementation or ongoing support is scoped and quoted separately.
A free 20-minute conversation about your venue, the challenges and where I can help.
Choose a defined review of the business or systems, or agree a tailored scope for your group.
Take the recommendations forward with your team, or bring me in to deliver agreed improvements.
Agree ownership, measures and any ongoing support needed to sustain the changes.
Reviews & pricing
Fixed-fee reviews for one venue. All prices are in NZD and include GST. Each review gives you advice and priorities you can act on, whether or not we work together afterwards.
A focused starting point
$950NZD · includes GST
Owner discussion, review of supplied trading information, written priorities and a follow-up call.
See what’s includedUnderstand the setup
$1,500NZD · includes GST
A review of POS, stock, reservations, rostering and accounting, with written recommendations and a debrief.
See what’s includedSee the whole operation
$3,500NZD · includes GST
Commercial and operational review, one on-site service observation, written findings, a 90-day plan and an owner debrief.
See what’s includedImplementation, group engagements and ongoing advisory are quoted to scope. Any travel outside an agreed local area is quoted beforehand.
Compare the packages and inclusionsMake the business case
$20,000 per year from a one percentage point cost improvement on $2m in annual sales
That is an illustration, not a savings promise. We use your own numbers to assess the opportunity, the effort and the cost of making the change.
NZD. The calculation uses sales excluding GST and assumes unchanged sales. Project fees and additional software or support costs reduce the net benefit. Review package prices include GST.
How we assess valueBuilt around your operation
The right changes should make service smoother, support your people and make commercial sense. We work with your venue’s character and your team’s knowledge, then focus on the improvements that matter.
I work with operators across Australia and New Zealand. Reviews and workshops can be delivered remotely; service observation and other on-site work are agreed around your operation.
Start with a conversation
A free 20-minute conversation about your venue, your priorities and where practical support could help.