Blackthorn Strategic Advisors
Services
Our services include Value Creation plan development and implementation and Restaurant Technology ("ResTech") Advisory
Value Creation
Blackthorn Strategic Advisors has extensive corporate restructuring, turnaround management, interim management (CEO, CFO, COO & CRO), profit improvement and value creation experience.
Value Creation starts with a deep dive into the business to build a Value Creation Plan ("VCP") which is fully supported by the management team. Blackthorn typically assumes an interim management position to work with management to help lead the implementation of the VCP.
A VCP includes; 1) cash flow forecast to manage liquidity, 2) a five-year forecast to illustrate the impact of the various initiatives on profitability, cash flow and enterprise value, 3) cost saving and margin enhancement opportunities, 4) an assessment of company culture, employee experience and customer service, and 5) revenue enhancement opportunities and sales and marketing plans that will drive renewed growth for the organization.
Our experience growing companies and being tuned into customer experience differentiate us from other firms focused on transformation. Restaurant turnarounds begin with operational excellence defined as managing food & labor costs while providing excellent customer service. Our recommendations are data driven and are supported by management and key stakeholders throughout the process.
We aim to align incentives with our clients so that we participate in the value creation that we help our clients realize. We typically earn equity or equity options as part of our compensation or can structure a success fee based on measurable results.
ResTech Advisory
This is an exciting time to be involved in restaurant technology. The pandemic helped accelerate digital ordering and customer engagement technology and increased awareness of the benefits of technology in the restaurant industry. Inflation and labor shortages have increased the importance of inventory management/waste mitigation, purchasing efficacy, labor management systems, operational efficiency, automation and artificial intelligence (voiceAI, visionAI and customer and operational insights). Technology is helping operators grow revenue, optimize menu pricing and manage costs. It is impacting profitability in a meaningful way.
Blackthorn has advised numerous restaurant technology companies, supporting a few businesses to successful exits and a few more that we believe will be the big winners in the near future.
Key factors for success for ResTech companies include having a distinct competitive advantage, a high ROI for customers, a robust customer success organization and a go to market strategy that identifies the most attractive segments within the restaurant industry to target and which sales channels to address, including strategic partnerships.
In order to align incentives with owners, investors and founders, Blackthorn Strategic Advisors typically earns equity or equity options as part of our ResTech Advisory engagements.