Medium Fine Restaurant Group: Elevating Stability and Excellence in the Los Angeles Restaurant Scene

Mission Statement

At Medium Fine Restaurant Group, our mission is to combat instability and transform
the culinary landscape in Los Angeles by fostering a culture of mentorship and
sustainable management. We redefine the roles of top-tier restaurant professionals by transitioning into teaching. With this Teaching or “mentorship model” we take chefs, sommeliers, and bar managers and reduce salaries, lower weekly commitment, and offer equity, empowering them to focus on teaching. This allows us to hire talent at above-market rates, fostering ownership, financial success, and exceptional service.

We prioritize providing stable and quick returns on investment, ensuring our investors
see reliable gains. By redirecting 60% of the capital from high-level managers to staff
through higher hourly rates, and using the remaining 40% to repay investors by the end
of year three, we also partially self-fund our next venture. Angel investors in this first
project will be included in first-tier distributions at the same rate for the second project.

Our Mentors guide restaurants, training mid and low-level managers and transforming
talented cooks into great chefs. We provide comprehensive support, including
accounting, HR, social media, and PR services, to create a thriving work environment.
Our model eliminates the glass ceiling, improves pay structures, and enhances the quality
of life for all staff, ensuring consistent hiring practices, fair compensation, and endless
growth opportunities.

Medium Fine envisions a network of small to medium-sized, community-focused
restaurants that celebrate diverse culinary traditions. Through strategic investment and
a commitment to professional growth, we aim to set new standards for culinary
excellence. By integrating experienced professionals who possess invaluable knowledge,
we utilize their expertise through mentorship roles, guiding the next generation of
culinary professionals.

Together, we build a future where culinary excellence and sustainable management go
hand in hand, creating a vibrant and dynamic culinary community in Los Angeles where
culinary professionals and investors thrive.

The Problem:

  • Decline in restaurant quality over the past five years.

  • Poor rate of return, making investments too risky and large.

  • COVID-19 accelerated existing industry challenges.

  • Instability has led to the decline of small and mid-sized restaurants.

  • Burnout and lack of mentorship are driving talented chefs away.

  • Inconsistent standards, communication breakdowns, and funding difficulties.

  • Glass ceiling limiting chefs and food and beverage workers.

The Solution

Medium Fine aims to create a supportive environment where culinary professionals
can thrive. Our fully transparent and integrated restaurant model will eliminate the
glass ceiling, improve pay structures, and enhance the quality of life for all staff.
Key strategies include:

  • Profit Margin: Redirecting 60% of the capital from high-level managers to staff
    through higher hourly rates. The remaining 40% will repay all investors by the
    end of year three and partially self-fund the next venture.

  • Investor Returns: Angel investors in this first project will be included in first-tier
    distributions at the same rate for the second project.

  • Mentorship Model: Training mid and low-level managers instead of allocating
    high salaries for executive roles.

  • Cost Efficiency: Saving 80% on management salaries annually by restructuring
    roles and responsibilities.

  • Proof of Concept: Opening Restaurant Medium Fine in Santa Monica with a
    $700k investment, led by Jesse Barber as Culinary Director and Mentor.

  • Equitable Pay Structure: Upper management taking a 20% salary, allowing for above-market wages for staff and better capital distribution.

  • Consulting: Implementing our process across the industry.

Our Goals

  • Investor Return: Ensure stable and reliable quarterly returns at improved percentage rates.

  • Enhanced Communication: Streamline operations and improve communication between
    kitchen and management.

  • Professional Focus: Allow chefs to concentrate on their culinary craft while we manage PR,
    branding, and concept development.

  • Support Systems: Provide ongoing professional support to combat burnout.

  • Staff Retention: Offer advancement prospects and above-market starting wages.

  • Work-Life Balance: Ensure reasonable working hours.

  • Consistent Hiring and Standards: Establish uniform hiring practices and training standards.

  • Fair Compensation: Provide competitive salaries reflecting skills and hard work, without top-heavy fees.

  • Growth Opportunities: Promote from within to eliminate the glass ceiling and create growth opportunities for all staff.

The Opportunity

Medium Fine is a movement to redefine the culinary profession in Los Angeles.
Through strategic investment and a commitment to professional growth, we aim to
set new standards for culinary excellence. Our goal is to support and elevate food
and beverage staff, enabling them to flourish as true culinary artists and leaders.
By integrating diverse professionals into our vision, we will revitalize small and medium-
sized, community-focused restaurants. With the right funding, we can create a vibrant,
dynamic culinary community in Los Angeles where culinary professionals thrive.

Addressing Key Issues and Feedback

Peter Principle: By focusing on mentorship and structured career progression, we
ensure that individuals are promoted based on their skills and readiness, rather than
simply filling roles out of necessity.

Simplify and Focus the Message: We provide a clear, concise approach to
revolutionizing the culinary industry through mentorship, financial restructuring,
and comprehensive support.

20% Fee Structure Clarification: Upper management will take a reduced salary of 20%,
allowing for better capital distribution and above-market wages for staff.

Highlight the Amenities: Our comprehensive support includes accounting, HR, social
media, PR services, and professional development opportunities to ensure a thriving
work environment.

Concise One-Paragraph Pitch: Medium Fine aims to transform the Los Angeles
culinary landscape by transitioning top-tier professionals into mentors, focusing on
mentorship, equitable pay, and sustainable management. By leveraging reduced salaries
and equity for mentors, we foster ownership and financial success while providing
comprehensive support services. Our model ensures better returns for investors and
growth opportunities for all staff, creating a vibrant and dynamic culinary community.

Experienced Chefs: Emphasizing the value of experienced chefs who can no longer handle
day-to-day operations but have invaluable knowledge, we ensure their expertise is utilized
through various mentorship roles, thus guiding the next generation of true culinary professionals.

Thank you for taking the time to read through our vision and plan for Medium Fine.
We appreciate your interest and would love to hear any feedback you may have.
Additionally, if you or anyone you know might be interested in investing, even if the
timing isn't right at the moment, we would be grateful for any connections or introductions.
Together, we can make a significant impact on the culinary landscape in Los Angeles.

Best

Jesse