Operational Optimization & Marketing Strategy for a Local Fast-Casual Restaurant
Situation:
When our project began, our client was seeking a clearer understanding of item level profitability, menu performance, and operational organization across their locations. Their priorities included gaining visibility into food cost structure, standardizing processes, improving pricing decisions, and developing marketing and engagement strategies. As the project progressed, these priorities became even more defined based on the new data and systems we collected.
Challenge:
Our client faced several challenges that limited their ability to optimize operations and scale effectively. They lacked a unified system for calculating food costs, labor, and overhead for each menu item, making it difficult to determine profitability. They also did not have consistent portion standards, supplier inputs, or a cost management framework that could be maintained long-term. Additionally, their sales reporting across locations was fragmented, and they needed a stronger marketing direction, social media plan, and engagement strategy to increase awareness and student traffic. Finally, the restaurant needed an accessible way to track KPIs such as ingredient inflation, waste, sales mix, and order type trends.
Approach:
Our team began by analyzing the client’s ingredient costs, supplier information, and existing portion estimates. Using the Strategy and Operations pillars of Rem, we developed a comprehensive cost analysis spreadsheet including supplier inputs, an ingredient cost calculator, portion standards, cost per item modeling, and profit/margin calculations. This tool was built to be fully editable so the client can adjust portions or pricing over time.
Next, we reviewed sales data from all three locations to identify trends, high performing categories, seasonal patterns, and operational inefficiencies. This informed a structured pricing strategy report with competitive benchmarking and clear pricing recommendations designed to improve margins while maintaining customer accessibility.
As part of the operational improvement work, our team evaluated workflow options for inventory management, waste logging, recipe costing, and POS data integration. After researching internal solutions, we identified WISK.AI as the most efficient and scalable option for the client. We recommended transitioning to WISK to automate key processes, reduce manual errors, and centralize operational data. This ensured the client would have a long-term, low-maintenance system rather than relying on spreadsheets that require daily manual updates.
Finally, we produced marketing-focused deliverables including a social media strategy, content calendar, and campus engagement plan tailored to student behavior, peak seasons, and community outreach opportunities. Throughout the project, our team learned how crucial simple, repeatable systems are for small businesses, reinforcing Rem’s value in providing long-term, sustainable consulting support.
Impact:
The client now has a complete, organized, and accurate cost analysis system that clearly outlines food costs, margins, and profitability at the item level. The pricing strategy report created straightforward recommendations to strengthen margins while staying competitive in the local market. The WISK recommendation provided the client with a scalable, automated solution for inventory, waste tracking, recipe costing, and POS integration, offering a level of operational efficiency difficult to achieve with manual spreadsheets. Marketing deliverables provided structure to their social media presence, improved consistency in messaging, and supported growth in student awareness. Overall, the project strengthened the client’s operational foundation and provided sustainable tools for long-term decision-making and growth.
Team Breakdown
Team Lead: Kai Friesen
Strategist: Alex Skoutelakis
Strategist: Alyssa Anderson
Junior Strategist: Aryav Jain
Junior Strategist: Noelia Roche
Title: Fast-Casual Restaurant Operational Optimization
Relevant Background Information
Business Type: Non-Profit
Industry: Foster Care, Child Welfare
Location: St. Louis, MO
Rem and Company is a global nonprofit initiative dedicated to helping small business owners succeed. Since 2020, we’ve been on a mission to “keep doors open and dreams alive.” Through our free small business accelerator, we provide entrepreneurs worldwide with business development support, digital strategy, marketing guidance, operations consulting, financial planning, and more. Whether you're growing, pivoting, or rebuilding, Rem and Company is here to help. Join the hundreds of small businesses already benefiting from our free two-month accelerator program. Apply now.