StoneFire Grill
Background
StoneFire Grill, a fast-casual family restaurant with locations in Southern California, originally hired Clothier & Head for assistance with financing activities and correct set-up of its accounting systems. Two and a half years after Clothier & Head’s initial visit, StoneFire Grill had grown from two locations to five, and continues to rely on the firm’s hospitality niche for operational and organizational guidance.
Business Challenges
With two successful restaurants to its name, StoneFire Grill was in a position to grow when it first hired Clothier & Head. The challenge was: how to best maximize the restaurant’s growth potential and bottom line without sacrificing the owners’ vision and values?
The Clothier & Head Approach
- Industry Insight: With years of proven hospitality experience, Clothier & Head was able to handle all facets of StoneFire Grill’s expansion. The firm’s initial two-day operational assessment of the company yielded 15 pages of detailed action items covering each location’s practices, systems, and controls, along with guidance as to what had been successful and what was still necessary to achieve the desired growth and improvement. As the business expanded, Clothier & Head’s specialists assisted with hiring a Controller and accounting support staff, selected and implemented an automated management information system, and trained all managers and executives on its use. This knowledge-based assistance put StoneFire Grill on sound financial footing, positioning them to secure optimal financing and ultimately increase profitability.
- Demonstrated Commitment: Clothier & Head’s hospitality professionals listened closely to the desires of StoneFire Grill’s owners and came up with organizational and operational plans that articulated their unique vision. The firm then worked closely with StoneFire Grill’s team to implement each plan through strategic planning sessions, financial modeling, tax planning, and directly communicating with financing agencies. By pairing Clothier & Head’s knowledge and specialized skills with the passion and creative vision of StoneFire Grill’s owners, a true partnership -- with the ability to service both immediate needs and future concerns – was forged.
- Genuine Interest: Clothier & Head not only gave StoneFire Grill’s owners the physical tools for a strong financial foundation and continued expansion, but cultivated confidence that it could be achieved. By working closely with StoneFire Grill’s management team, Clothier & Head’s professionals imparted leadership advice, encouragement, and became not just accountants, but friends and mentors.
Achieved Results
By understanding the owners’ visions and values for their company, and developing a strong partnership to fully meet each need, Clothier & Head has helped StoneFire Grill realize their true growth potential. In three years of working together, StoneFire Grill grew from two locations to five; from a staff of 80 to a staff of 400, from a small concept to a chain with sales reaching $20 million.
