Isn't it better to hire someone local?
Hire the most effective person for the work — not the closest one. Technology makes geography irrelevant for most of what we do together, and when onsite work is required, I'm there. The real question isn't where I'm located. It's whether the engagement delivers a return that makes the investment obvious. That's what the 100% Effective Guarantee is built on.
What's the difference between coaching and consulting?
Coaching is teaching — you and your team do the work, I teach, guide, and measure for effectiveness. Consulting is execution — I do the work alongside you. Most engagements include both. The right mix depends on your capabilities, your timeline, and what the business actually needs.
I had my manager call you for a quote. Why wouldn't you give one?
I can only contract with the person who has the authority to make decisions for the business. More importantly, I can't build a solution without hearing directly from you — the owner — about where the business is, where you want it to go, and what resources are available to get there. Most managers don't have that picture. You do.
How do you price each engagement?
Every engagement is custom — no off-the-shelf programs, no hourly fees, no hidden fees, no profit-sharing arrangements. I listen to your needs, audit your situation, and build a strategy specific to your business. Pricing is based on outputs, not inputs. What the result is worth — not what it takes to deliver it.
If you want to know what an engagement would look like for your situation, let's talk.
Isn't all experience the same?
No. Would you hire a plumber to wire your electrical panel? Experience in the restaurant business is not the same as successful experience running one. I've done the work — on the stage, with real cast, in real operations, under real pressure. That's the credential. Everything I bring to your business comes from actually doing it.
Why not just attend a seminar?
Some things can be learned in a room. Leadership isn't one of them. The most effective development happens in your operation, working through your actual problems, with your actual team. When a leader changes, everyone around them has to adjust. That doesn't happen in a seminar — it happens on the floor, in real time, with real accountability.
Can you provide references?
44 years. 200+ independent operators. A 100% Effective Guarantee on every engagement. If that's not enough to have a conversation, references won't move the needle either. If it is enough — let's talk.
Do you only work with large clients?
I work with operators who have the capitalization to execute the work. That doesn't mean millions — it means enough to begin and finish what we start. I'll tell you directly if you're underfunded and help you decide whether to recapitalize or adjust scope. I don't take engagements just to earn a fee. I take them when I know I can deliver the result.
Where are you located?
Texas — but that's irrelevant. I work where you need me. The work happens in your operation, not in an office. I gave up the square footage years ago when I realized no one ever opened a restaurant inside it.
How are travel costs handled?
For week-long onsite engagements anywhere in the continental U.S. — $1,500 flat, all in. International travel is billed at cost based on pre-planned rates. After working in 49 states and 13 countries, I can tell you location has never been the issue. Getting the work done is.
How much of the work do you do versus me?
That depends on your capabilities and what the engagement calls for. Most projects involve both coaching and consulting. The more you and your team can execute, the more economical the engagement. We'll be direct about what the work requires and who's best positioned to do it.
How do you calculate ROI?
Every engagement is a business investment and should be treated like one. Before we start, I'll analyze your situation and tell you what I believe is an achievable return — in real dollars. That number drives the scope, the timeline, and the measure of success.
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes — but a free consultation is not free consulting. It's a focused conversation where you define your current situation versus your ideal. I'll ask the questions that drill down into both, tell you what can be done, and follow up with a three-option proposal for your consideration.
Do you offer a guarantee?
Yes. See the 100% Effective Guarantee.
Are your services tax deductible?
Professional service fees are generally 100% tax deductible as a business expense. Check with your accountant for your specific situation.
What's the difference between flat fees and hourly fees?
I charge flat fees only — never hourly, never hidden, never a profit-sharing arrangement. The reason is simple: hourly billing creates a financial incentive to slow down. That's the opposite of what you're paying for. My interest is in getting you to the result as fast as possible.
