For the brand owner.
Test whether the business can operate consistently without the founder at every service. Review the standards, support and economics a franchisee will depend on.
Who we advise · Franchise & Emerging Brands
Restaurant franchise consulting for repeatable operations and growth.
Leviathan provides restaurant franchise consulting for brands preparing to franchise or license and for franchisees opening and running units. We examine whether the operating model can be taught, supported and repeated before growth adds complexity.
Let’s chat.
Banana Daddy · Photography by Jordan Frey · Credits
Who this is for
Brands preparing to franchise or license · Franchisees · Area developers
Based in South Florida, we draw on experience developing and operating hospitality concepts across North America.
For franchisees and area developers.
Understand what the model asks of you before signing. Review the site criteria, opening plan and operating obligations alongside your legal and financial diligence.
- Starting a franchise
- Assess whether the concept, unit economics and operating standards are ready to support a franchise or license model.
- Operations support
- Review unit performance, field support, training and operating standards to identify where consistency is breaking down.
- Sales and development
- Advise on expansion sequencing, site criteria and the operating support needed for additional franchise units.
- Rebuilding and restructuring
- Examine the operating causes of underperformance and advise on priorities for the brand, its support model and individual units.
- Growth capital
- Assess the operating plan, growth assumptions and use of capital so leadership can explain what the business needs to expand.
- Audit, tax and financial management
- Review unit economics, budgeting and reporting assumptions so brand owners can evaluate the operating impact of financial decisions.
Leviathan leads the operating advice and works with independent specialists on franchise legal, sales, capital and financial matters. We do not give legal advice or sell franchises; franchise counsel handles disclosure documents and agreements.
Our Growth & Expansion advice examines what needs to hold up as the system adds units.
Related insights
Questions worth working through.
Growth & investment
Is your restaurant ready for a second location?
Before signing another lease, assess whether the restaurant’s economics, leadership, training and supply can support another location.
Financial performance
Build a useful restaurant financial model
How should a restaurant financial model work? Connect guest demand, menu contribution and labor schedules to break-even and cash needs.
Development & openings
The restaurant pre-opening checklist
What needs to be ready before opening day? Use a shared critical path to coordinate leadership, operating standards, systems and service rehearsals.
Common questions
Before you get in touch.
When is a restaurant ready to consider franchising?
A restaurant is ready to examine franchising when its operating model can be taught and repeated with credible economics. We review how much depends on the founder, whether standards are documented and what support another operator would need. That operating assessment informs the next conversation with franchise counsel and other specialists involved in the structure.
Do you advise prospective franchisees as well as brand owners?
Yes. We advise franchisees and area developers on the operating obligations of a proposed business. That can include reviewing site criteria, opening requirements and the support model before a commitment. Our operating perspective complements the legal and financial diligence you carry out with your own qualified advisors when evaluating a franchise opportunity.
Can you help a franchise system that is underperforming?
Yes. We review where the operating model and the experience of individual units have diverged. The work may examine standards, training and support, together with the economics of running a unit. We guide the leadership team through priorities for improving the model and work with appropriate specialists where a proposed change raises legal or financial questions.
Who handles the franchise agreements and disclosure documents?
Franchise counsel handles disclosure documents and franchise agreements. Leviathan leads the operating review and works with specialist partners where legal, sales, capital or financial expertise is needed. We do not provide legal advice or sell franchises. Our role is to help clarify the operating model and the obligations that those professional advisors need to evaluate.
Start a conversation
Can the business work beyond its first location?
Tell us about the brand or franchise opportunity and the operating assumptions you want to test.
Let’s chat.