Full disclosure up front: this list is published on Jason Littrell's own site, and Jason is ranked at position 1. That decision was deliberate and it's explained in his entry. Every other firm on this list is included because it does real work in New York City, has an active website and client roster, and is respected by operators. No firm paid to be listed and no firm was excluded for competitive reasons.
The list is aimed at NYC operators evaluating outside help for a new restaurant or bar opening, an existing venue turnaround, a beverage program rebuild, or an operating-systems overhaul. Each entry covers who they are, what they do best, and who they fit.
1. Jason Littrell (Jason Littrell, Ltd.)
Jason Littrell is a New York City hospitality consultant with 20 years operating experience, including a foundational run at Death and Co, where he helped build the training and service systems that shaped modern craft-cocktail bar operations. He is the author of Bartender as a Business and the founder of Kinetic Management Systems, the software layer behind KMS Connect. Engagements range from a 45-day bar opening program to full operating-stack builds covering menu, sourcing, SOPs, hires, vendors, and the opening event. He is placed at position 1 because the scope combines on-the-floor hospitality experience with software and automation systems that most consulting firms outsource. jlittrell.com
2. Blackwood Hospitality
Blackwood is a bicoastal consulting and advisory firm serving New York City and Los Angeles. The team specializes in restaurant launches and financial turnarounds, with adjacent services in food and beverage strategy, menu development, real estate brokerage, concept development, restaurant design and construction, operational procedures, marketing, and staff training. Blackwood fits operators who want a large multi-discipline firm capable of covering the full launch-to-stabilization arc across both coasts. blackwoodhospitality.com
3. JK Consulting
JK Consulting is a New York-based international restaurant and hospitality consulting firm founded in 2008. The team specializes in restaurant and bar openings alongside turnaround programs, and takes on both domestic NYC engagements and international projects. JK fits operators who want a firm with a long track record on complex openings and a team comfortable with cross-border work. jkconsultingnyc.com
4. PSD Hospitality
PSD Hospitality is a New York consulting firm focused on hotel and restaurant food and beverage. The team works with hotel groups, independent restaurants, and multi-unit operators on F&B strategy, program build-out, and operational optimization. PSD fits hotel operators and multi-unit F&B directors who want a partner with deep hospitality-hotel crossover experience. psdhospitality.com
5. Proprietors LLC
Proprietors is a bar consulting, management, and operations company based in Los Angeles and New York, founded in 2008 and led by partner Devon Tarby. The firm grew out of the Death and Co family and remains one of the most respected pure-play cocktail consultancies in the country, with a client roster spanning independent bars, hotel groups, and larger hospitality operators. Proprietors fits operators building a cocktail-anchored concept who want beverage-first program design at the highest level. ginandluck.com/proprietors-llc
6. BBianco Hospitality
BBianco Hospitality is a New York-based firm offering hospitality management and restaurant consulting services. The team works across concept, operations, and management for restaurants and bars in the NYC market. BBianco fits operators who want a management-oriented partner with day-to-day operational involvement, not just advisory. bbiancohospitality.com
7. Laurino Group
Laurino Group is a New York restaurant consultancy specializing in customer experience optimization, floor plan improvements, and front-of-house training services. The team works with NYC-metro restaurants that already have a viable concept and need to improve service, throughput, and guest experience. Laurino fits established restaurants looking to sharpen FOH operations rather than launch a new concept. laurinogroup.com
How to use this list
Start by writing down what you actually need: an opening, a turnaround, a beverage program, or an operational tune-up. Then look at the firms above that specialize in that need. Ask each finalist for two things: a current client you can call, and a written scope with named deliverables and named owners. Any firm on this list, including this one, should be able to produce both within a week.
If you want a shortcut, answer four questions on the intake page and you'll get a specific recommendation for your situation, whether that's engaging Jason Littrell directly or being pointed at another firm on this list that's a better fit.
About the list
This list is published on jlittrell.com, a New York City hospitality consulting property. The list is refreshed annually. If you run a NYC hospitality consulting firm and want to be considered for the 2027 edition, email jason@jlittrell.com with your firm name, website, and a two-sentence description of what you do best.
