Engagements That Moved the Needle

The Challenge

A well-regarded single malt with strong off-premise traction had virtually no presence in New York's top-tier on-premise accounts. The brand lacked the trade relationships, activation playbook, and commercial narrative to compete with established category leaders.

Our Approach

We mapped the 50 highest-value on-premise accounts across Manhattan and Brooklyn, identified the decision-makers, and built a tailored pitch that led with the brand's provenance story and margin profile. We designed a bespoke activation toolkit — staff training modules, cocktail menu integration guides, and a hosted tasting program — and brokered introductions through our existing operator network.

The Result

Within 9 months, the brand secured placement in 34 of the 50 target accounts, including three Michelin-starred restaurants and two of the city's most-cited hotel bars. On-premise volume grew 280% year-over-year in the New York market.

The Challenge

A boutique hotel group with six properties across the Southeast had F&B operations that felt generic and interchangeable — no signature identity, no local sourcing story, and declining capture rates as guests opted for nearby restaurants instead.

Our Approach

We conducted a full audit of each property's F&B operation, guest profile, and competitive set. We developed a distinct F&B identity for each property rooted in local provenance, then brokered partnerships with regional spirits producers, artisan food suppliers, and local chefs. We built the commercial model — pricing architecture, staff training, and a seasonal programming calendar — to support sustainable capture rate growth.

The Result

Average F&B capture rate increased from 28% to 51% across the portfolio within 18 months. Two properties were featured in national travel publications specifically for their food and beverage programs. Total F&B revenue across the group grew by $2.1M annually.

The Challenge

A critically acclaimed single-location restaurant had strong brand equity and a loyal following but no commercial infrastructure to support expansion. The founders had received inbound interest from investors and potential partners but lacked the frameworks to evaluate opportunities or negotiate terms.

Our Approach

We built the commercial case for expansion — unit economics model, site selection criteria, and a brand standards playbook that could travel across locations without diluting the original concept. We prepared the investor narrative, ran a structured process with six qualified groups, and advised on deal structure and operator partnership terms for two of the five locations.

The Result

The group closed a growth round at a valuation 40% above initial expectations. Four new locations opened over 24 months, with a fifth under development. The brand maintained its critical reputation across all locations and was named one of the country's top emerging restaurant groups by a leading industry publication.

The Challenge

A craft spirits producer with a compelling product and authentic story was struggling to convert trade interest into meaningful listings. Bartenders and buyers respected the liquid but didn't feel a strong enough connection to the brand to champion it on their menus.

Our Approach

We designed and produced a 12-city experiential tour targeting the top 20 on-premise accounts in each market. Each event was built around an intimate, education-first format — small groups, the founder present, and a structured tasting journey that made the brand's provenance tangible. We managed all logistics, local partner coordination, and post-event follow-up sequences.

The Result

The tour generated 847 qualified trade contacts, 312 new listings across the 12 markets, and a measurable shift in brand perception scores among surveyed bartenders. Three of the markets became top-five revenue contributors within six months of the tour.

The Challenge

A premium spirits brand with strong trade credentials had no physical touchpoint for consumers — no place where the brand's story, values, and liquid could be experienced in full. Awareness was driven almost entirely by on-premise placements and trade advocacy, leaving a significant gap in direct consumer engagement and brand equity building.

Our Approach

We developed the concept, commercial model, and partnership framework for a permanent brand home — a seasonal pavilion embedded within a luxury resort destination. The venue was designed as a fully immersive brand experience: guided tastings, a curated food programme, live programming, and a retail component. We brokered the resort partnership, structured the revenue-sharing model, managed the build-out brief, and created the seasonal programming calendar — including co-branded events, community activations, and a signature toast ritual that became a guest favourite.

The Result

The pavilion opened to full capacity bookings within its first season and was featured in three national lifestyle publications. Direct-to-consumer revenue from the venue exceeded projections by 60% in year one. Brand awareness scores in the resort's primary feeder markets increased by 34 points, and the venue became a proof-of-concept for two further brand home locations currently in development.