Hospitality at Your Service

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Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc. is the largest privately held restaurant group in the United States and a distinctive leader in hospitality. Lettuce currently owns, licenses or manages 115 establishments nationally. Founded in June 1971 by Richard Melman and Jerry A. Orzoff with the opening of R.J. Grunts and today, thanks to the creativity of our partners, we proudly serve guests at more than 50 concepts ranging from fast casual to fine dining restaurants. Lettuce’s extensive network of brands and locations operate under the leadership of more than 80 equity partners as well as a team of experts across operations, culinary, design, events, marketing, technology, loyalty programming and more.

Who We Are

Lettuce Consulting began more than twenty-five years ago out of an earnest desire to help others in the restaurant industry. As the complexity of demands on the restaurant and the hospitality industry intensify, Lettuce Consulting continues to evolve. Encompassing a nimble team of industry experts with multidisciplinary skill sets, Lettuce Consulting seeks expansive partnerships with diverse clients and enterprises across the hospitality landscape. We are uniquely positioned to guide kindred companies through the process of concept innovation and development. Enhanced by time-tested strategies that simultaneously enrich organizational culture, our approach to concept creation is comprehensive, elevating the overall guest experience to new heights.

Contact Our Team

50+
Brands in Operation
280+
Concepts since 1971
15 Million+
Guests served per Year
7000+
Employees Nationwide

Lettuce Brands

Our Mission

Hospitality at Your Service

Lettuce Consulting delivers Lettuce Entertain You’s signature style of hospitality beyond the walls of its restaurants and into the broader marketplace. When clients enlist the services of Lettuce Consulting, they are met with an unparalleled level of hospitality, tailored to meet the needs of their business.

We provide hospitality at your service to transform the guest experience. By crafting an exceptional guest experience through proven methods that enhance company culture and streamline operations, Lettuce Consulting facilitates the ultimate goal in business: loyal customers and repeat guests.

Our Values

Culture of Caring | Innovation | Entrepreneurship

Rich Melman’s driving philosophies are what guide Lettuce Consulting’s approach to business. A Culture of Caring is an essential ingredient in everything we do, and the guest experience is at the heart of it all.

“Lettuce Entertain You started because of ideas. We are a group of entrepreneurs who work under one umbrella and it’s our Culture of Caring that bonds us. Caring about the food, service, our people and our guests.” - Rich Melman

"I don’t try to meet expectations; I try to beat expectations. I’m always trying to give our guests something that excites them."

Richard Melman
"We run our business with the intention of providing simple enjoyment for our guests."

Richard Melman
"The difference between a good restaurant experience and a great restaurant experience is paying attention to many small details."

Richard Melman
"We surround ourselves with good people and we train them well. We’ve had the ability to give people what they want almost before they know they want it. You can call it trendsetting but I prefer to call it the ability to listen [...]"

Richard Melman

Concept Innovation

Concept Development
Innovation Strategy
Capabilities Assessment
Off-Premise Concepts

Design

Spacial, Kitchen and Schematic Design
FF&E and Procurement
Project Management
Architect Selection
Existing Facility Assessment
Kitchen Equipment Analysis
Lease and Work Letter Review

RPM Seafood in front of the river in chicago

Branding

Visual Identity and Positioning
Naming
Logo Creation
Design Decks and Packages
Exterior Signage

six plates of various food items on a table

Menu & Product

Labor, Food Cost, and Product Mix
Analysis
Full Menu Development, Design and Implementation
Industry Trends
Chef and Mixologist Consultations

employees having a meeting at ema restaurant

Operations & Training

Profit and Loss Optimization
Operations and Manuals & Audits
Cost Control Techniques
Management Training
Employee Training (FOH & BOH)
Leadership and Executive Training
Staff Recruiting

Our Client Experience:
The Lettuce Table

Connect

Come to the Table

The initial point of connection, the start of conversation to learn the realities, challenges and ambitions for both new and existing businesses.

Discover

Explore the Table

Outline the scope of work, perform a detailed financial and organizational review to confirm consultant-client match to set all teams up for success.

Create

Design the Table

Conduct a detailed, comprehensive assessment, establish a creative partnership and begin idea generation.

Develop

Set the table

Lettuce Consulting furnishes an official project proposal, and maps out the journey from ideation through execution and maintenance.

Execute

Serve the Table

The implementation phase, working together to translate ideas into reality.

Reconnect

Service the Table

Following up to follow through, ensuring client and guest satisfaction.

"As a restaurateur since 1976, I have watched the remarkable Chicago based restaurant organization, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, blossom into the most successful private restaurant company in the world. I have witnessed their [...]"

Larry Levy, Founder, Levy Restaurants
"As a native Chicagoan, Lettuce Entertain You‘s concepts are part of my life including birthdays, bar mitzvahs, and other life events. In 2017 Valor Equity Partners acquired a majority interest and partnered with Lettuce Entertain [...]"

Jon Shulkin, Co-Founder, Valor Equity Partners
"Working with the Melman family, Kevin Brown and the Lettuce team is always a career highlight for me. The depth and breadth of technical knowledge and operating standards is amazing but they really know how to focus on the essence [...]"

Ron Parker, Former President, Union Square Hospitality Group

Get in Touch

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It's important to change before you have to.

- Richard Melman

Hospitality at Your Service

Who We Are

Our Mission

Hospitality at Your Service

Our Values

Culture of Caring | Innovation | Entrepreneurship

"I don’t try to meet expectations; I try to beat expectations. I’m always trying to give our guests something that excites them."

"We run our business with the intention of providing simple enjoyment for our guests."

"The difference between a good restaurant experience and a great restaurant experience is paying attention to many small details."

"We surround ourselves with good people and we train them well. We’ve had the ability to give people what they want almost before they know they want it. You can call it trendsetting but I prefer to call it the ability to listen [...]"

Concept Innovation

Design

Branding

Menu & Product

Operations & Training

Our Client Experience: The Lettuce Table

Connect

Discover

Create

Develop

Execute

Reconnect

"As a restaurateur since 1976, I have watched the remarkable Chicago based restaurant organization, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, blossom into the most successful private restaurant company in the world. I have witnessed their [...]"

"As a native Chicagoan, Lettuce Entertain You‘s concepts are part of my life including birthdays, bar mitzvahs, and other life events. In 2017 Valor Equity Partners acquired a majority interest and partnered with Lettuce Entertain [...]"

"Working with the Melman family, Kevin Brown and the Lettuce team is always a career highlight for me. The depth and breadth of technical knowledge and operating standards is amazing but they really know how to focus on the essence [...]"

Get in Touch

Our Place or Yours

Our Client Experience:
The Lettuce Table