The Privilege of Being a Coach & Consultant in the Hospitality Industry
by Doug Radkey
AI seems to think hospitality consultants have quite veiny arms.
I say this with gratitude and clarity: It’s not a right, it’s a privilege to be a coach and consultant in the hospitality industry.
And I don’t say that lightly.
To be trusted with someone’s vision—their dream of building a bar, restaurant, or hotel—is one of the greatest responsibilities I’ve ever carried. I’m not just strategizing, asking the right questions, or giving advice; I’m helping people make decisions that affect their livelihood, their families, their futures, and their legacy.
Every time a client says, “We want to work with you,” they’re inviting us into their world.
And that comes with an expectation to lead with clarity, honesty, and purpose.
It Isn’t Just Telling People What to Do
There’s a massive misconception about consulting. People think we saunter into a business, point out their flaws, hand over a plan, and walk away.
That’s not what we do. At least, that’s not what we do at KRG Hospitality.
We believe the most impactful results come from a hybrid approach, where coaching and consulting work together. Consulting gives you the strategy, the systems, the roadmaps. Coaching gives you the mindset, the accountability, the clarity to actually execute.
One without the other leaves a gap. That’s why we don’t just hand over a playbook and walk away, we look to walk alongside our clients, challenging their thinking while guiding their actions.
It’s not about telling people what to do; it’s about helping them become the kind of leaders who can start, stabilize, and scale truly remarkable hospitality businesses.
That balance is where transformation lives.
The Weight of Trust
When someone hires you as a consultant, they’re not just hiring your expertise. They’re hiring your integrity, your leadership, and your judgment.
They’re saying, “I’m willing to put my future in your hands.”
That’s not something I ever take for granted. Because with that trust comes an unspoken contract: To show up, be real, and deliver results.
The truth is, I’ve seen what happens when consultants don’t take that seriously. Cookie-cutter solutions. Generic strategies. Vague advice. And clients left more confused than when they started.
That’s not coaching or consulting; that’s just collecting a check. If you’re in this industry just to sell services, you’re in the wrong business.
But if you’re here to guide transformation, you understand the privilege this role holds.
The Real Role
Hospitality is different. We’re not selling widgets or other products. We’re creating experiences. More often than not, we’re building human connections.
And in this industry, every decision, from the lighting in the hallway to the type of salt on the rim of the glass, it all matters more than you think.
As a coach and consultant, our job is to:
- Develop the strategies and details others overlook.
- Ask the questions others are afraid to ask.
- Challenge assumptions at the status quo.
- Reinforce the standards of excellence.
- Inspire bold, consistent, and strategic action.
This is where our playbooks come in. The eight playbooks we talk about all the time, they’re not just frameworks—they’re tools for clarity, accountability, and execution.
But the truth is, those playbooks are only as effective as the leadership behind them. And that’s what coaching is really about: bringing those plans to life with you. Because strategy without execution is just theory.
This is where our coaching framework activates the plan, through a combination of project task force support plus mindset and operational coaching. We step in as partners, not just planners, to help our clients start strong, stabilize with confidence, and scale with intention.
Whether it’s managing timelines, building culture, navigating change, or staying focused when things get hard, coaching ensures the strategy doesn’t just live on paper. Instead, it lives in the daily actions that drive real, measurable results.
This is where vision turns into reality. This is where momentum is built.
A Front-Row Seat to Transformation
One of the most rewarding parts of this work? Seeing the transformation happen in real time.
Watching a client go from idea to opening their doors. To go from stuck to clear. From chaotic to systematized. From dreaming to doing.
I remember working with a restaurant owner who came to us with a vague idea. She had heart but no direction. Through clarity sessions, a series of strategic playbooks, and post-open coaching, she found her confidence. She built a brand. She hired a team. She opened on time and on budget. And now, she’s highly profitable, and mentoring others within her community.
That’s building a legacy. That’s creating impact. That’s transformational.
The Humbling Truth
Here’s the humbling truth though: I don’t have all the answers. No one does.
But what I do have is perspective, experience, and a relentless commitment to seeing clients succeed. And that’s why we do the work. Not because it’s easy, but because it matters.
Being a coach and consultant in hospitality isn’t just about business. It’s about belief. It’s about believing in people’s ability to create something meaningful and by giving them the tools and support to do it.
So to every operator, entrepreneur, and leader who’s trusted us along the way, I have two words: Thank you. Thank you for giving us a front-row seat to your story.
And to every coach and consultant reading this: Never forget the privilege of what we get to do. Lead with clarity. Listen with empathy. Execute with excellence.
Because in this industry, the impact we make goes far beyond the glass, plate, or the check-in desk.
We help shape what hospitality looks and feels like for generations to come. And that right there is an absolute privilege.
