Is Now the Time to Call Oyster Sunday?
One of the questions we hear most often is: When should we reach out to Oyster Sunday, and how does it work?
The truth is, there’s no single answer. Opening or growing a hospitality business is never a straight line. Sometimes you’re sketching your first concept on the back of a napkin. Other times you’re running multiple locations and planning the next one, or even leading a large-scale, headline-making project that needs full-service support from strategy through execution.
Wherever you are in your journey, our role is to help you
see the whole picture and move forward with clarity.
We take an interdisciplinary approach because no decision in hospitality happens in a vacuum. Finance, HR, operations, and marketing all overlap, so we make sure the ripple effects of any change are understood before you take the next step.
We are a hospitality consulting agency partnering with independent businesses across the U.S. and abroad. Think of us as your corporate office, supporting you with everything from financial strategy and brand development, to foundational HR and operational systems so you and your team can focus on what you do best. Every scope is unique, tailored to your specific goals and needs.
So, when and why should you reach out to us for support? Below we explore three common scenarios.
Interested in exploring what’s possible?
You’re Opening Your First Business
You have a vision for your concept. It’s been living in the notes app on your phone, quietly taking shape for years. Refined through late nights and long shifts, waiting for its moment to become real.
You need help answering the question: How do I make this a viable business?
We always start with the numbers. Oyster Sunday helps you build financials that are investor-ready, ensuring your concept is clear and your information is accessible, organized, and easy to digest. This can come in the form of:
Proformas
Labor Models
Investment Payback + Schedules
Investor Decks
Our goal with these projects is to give our clients a clear understanding of what needs to happen on both the sales and expense sides for their concept to be financially successful.
To do this, we distill the vision into core financial drivers, starting with basics like what food is served, how it’s served, and where. Cuisine informs average check, cost of goods, and BOH labor; service style shapes FOH assumptions and square footage; neighborhood dictates real estate costs, operating hours, and seasonality.
With solid forecasts for revenue, cost of goods, labor, and operating expenses, we can then answer tangible questions like: “If I want to pay back my investors within 3 years, how many people need to walk through my door on a Wednesday evening or a Saturday afternoon?”
– Jalees Khalid, Head of Finance + Analytics
You’re Scaling Your Business
You’ve been here before: the lease is signed, the buildout is underway, and the excitement of opening is real. With growth comes complexity, and the opportunity for streamlining and consistency.
You’re looking for help answering: How do I set my expanding business up for sustainable growth?
We help you find that clarity through a number of solutions, including:
Company-wide Service and Culture Manuals that ensure every guest experiences the same level of hospitality you’re known for
Revamped branding and website(s) to create a cohesive identity as you expand your concept to a new market or introduce it to a broader audience
Critical path management of the forthcoming concept so you have a clear timeline and stakeholder accountability
Project management to support the launch of additional revenue streams such as CPG products or a new merch line
Unified HR processes designed to support and retain employees as you grow
The result? A consistent guest experience across all your properties, smoother onboarding for new hires, and a stronger foundation for your next phase of growth.
Our experience working with Oyster Sunday was transformative. The team’s deep experience in exceptional hospitality operations and positioning helped us to build a foundation for service and culture training that resonated deeply with every level of our organization, from front line associates to department and General Managers, all the way up to our owners. We were able to create a dynamic onboarding program, ensuring every new associate and leader across our 14 independently branded lifestyle hotels and 25+ restaurants and bars begins their journey with a clear understanding of our values, and how to action “our why” into exceptional guest experiences.
What sets Oyster Sunday apart from other agencies is their ability to maintain a clear understanding of our audience, evaluating every word, every image, every detail to ensure that every idea inspires a sense of pride, inclusive of all departments. We’ve seen tangible results in our culture, and an alignment in our purpose that has helped to lay the groundwork for our long-term success.
- Shel Buhler, Head of Brand Strategy + Communications, Aparium Hotel Group
You’re launching an industry-shaping project.
The project at hand is high-profile and complex, whether it’s a celebrity-backed wine label, a hotel opening, or a renowned hospitality group introducing a new CPG line.
You’re wondering: How do I launch a project of this scale with clarity, alignment, and impact?
These projects require more than just execution; they demand strategy, coordination, and creativity. We step in as a strategic partner to manage the full arc of the launch–from developing the overall strategy based on your budget and goals, to creating compelling content and setting up your digital channels, to executing the rollout. Throughout the project, we act as the quarterback among all stakeholders, managing timelines and keeping accountability front and center.
The result is a seamless launch where every moving piece comes together to create maximum impact.
Big projects succeed when every detail feels intentional. At Oyster Sunday, we often talk about assuming the role of a composer, making sure creative voices, operational details, and teams are all moving in sync. Managing a large-scale launch is about more than hitting deadlines - it’s about building trust with stakeholders and creating space for creativity to thrive. Our aim is to help all the moving parts lock into a groove, so the result is a thoughtful and precise expression of your brand.
– Byron Lo, Senior Manager, Digital Marketing
No two hospitality journeys look the same. Whether you’re opening your first concept, scaling into new markets, or steering a unique launch, the throughline remails: clarity, structure, and support make all the difference.
Our methodology and systems are what define the Oyster Sunday way, a consistent approach that brings order to the complexities of hospitality. But every project we take on carries its own thumbprint, shaped by the client’s unique point of view, goals, and vision for success.
Our role is to meet you where you are, see the whole picture, and help you move forward with confidence. Because success isn’t one-size-fits-all, it’s about building a business that’s financially sound, operationally strong, and aligned with the life and future you want.
If you’re wondering when the right time is to reach out, the answer is simple: when you’re ready for a partner who can help you turn vision into reality.
→ Ready to explore what’s possible?