The pandemic has accelerated the shift towards low-touch, high-efficiency service models in industries like fast food and retail. However, many businesses lack the expertise to systematically redesign their operations to maximize efficiency without compromising customer experience. A specialized consulting firm could bridge this gap, particularly for high-throughput sectors where labor costs are rising and margins are tight.

Optimizing Service Workflows

The proposal involves creating a consultancy focused on helping businesses redesign their operations for efficiency and customer convenience. This could start with auditing existing workflows—such as drive-thru layouts, payment systems, or staffing models—and then recommending tailored solutions. These might include multi-lane drive-thrus, contactless kiosks, or dynamic staffing algorithms. Over time, the firm could also develop proprietary software, such as a "throughput optimizer" dashboard, to provide real-time analytics.

Key beneficiaries would include fast-food franchises aiming to reduce labor costs, retail stores looking to speed up checkout, and tech vendors specializing in automation solutions. By implementing data-driven optimizations, businesses could see measurable improvements in speed, cost efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Execution Strategy

Starting with an MVP, the firm could partner with a few local fast-food franchises to test workflow changes—for example, reconfiguring drive-thru lanes—and track metrics like order-to-delivery time. If successful, the consultancy could expand to regional chains and eventually develop subscription-based software tools to scale its impact. One way to address financial barriers for clients might be offering revenue-sharing models, where the consultancy takes a percentage of the labor cost savings.

Differentiation from Existing Services

Unlike generalist consultancies, this approach would focus narrowly on high-throughput industries, combining hands-on operational improvements with data-driven insights. While companies like IDEO excel in design thinking and McKinsey advises on strategy, this firm would offer turnkey solutions specifically for small and medium-sized businesses. Meanwhile, tech providers like Toast sell point-of-sale systems but don’t handle the full spectrum of process redesign.

By blending consulting expertise with scalable software, this idea could carve out a niche in the growing demand for operational efficiency.