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WE ARE PROBLEM SOLVERS, MENTORS, AND CONNECTORS.
WE ARE NOT HANDS-OFF INVESTORS OR CONSULTANTS

GUIDANCE

TBG provides onsite management, advisory services and expertise to brands across the globe. We work with boutique hotels battling to stay relevant in the age of AirBNB, to private equity groups assessing investments. We help brands achieve accelerated growth without losing the quality that made them special.

RESOURCES

We pride ourselves in successfully leveraging existing assets to amplify brand value. TBG achieves this by engaging our abundance of resources and demonstrating relentless attention to detail.

CREDIBILITY

With over 40 years of experience with legendary brands like Houston's / Hillstone Restaurant Group, TBG has the experience to build a brand that can stand the test of time. Hospitality is our ethos and we build on it through relentless attention to detail, quality and the highest of service standards.

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OUR SERVICES

CREATIVE SERVICES

From concept ideation, customer experience design and execution, TBG has the team, experience and resources necessary to build brands that can stand the test of time.

BRAND OVERSIGHT & GROWTH

TBG has experience developing systems, controls, and infrastructure management to ensure that the brand gets built for the long haul. Going from a regional brand to a national is extremely difficult. TBG has experience in doing just that.

TURNAROUND MANAGEMENT

Quite possibly the most difficult venture that can take place in Hospitality. TBG has taken over brands, built strong teams enhanced by best in class training and oversight to take a brand that has lost its way back to the good graces of the consumer.

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS SUPPORT SERVICES

From brand assessment, valuation analysis and growth planning, TBG has the expertise to help validate assumptions and find hidden resource gaps. TBG can also fill C-level roles and board sets, and provide advisory services through the life of the investment.

 

TALENT PLACEMENT

TBG understands the importance of selective hiring and finding the right leadership to drive your business. Our team possesses decades of combined experience helping companies successfully hire and train top level management. Your people are your greatest asset. TBG can help you find your next great hire.

 

OUR TEAM

Vic Branstetter

Partner

Vic has over 40 years experience in the restaurant industry. Prior to founding the Branstetter Group, Vic was one of the three original founders of Houston’s Restaurant Group later named Hillstone. During his time at Houston’s he held roles as VP Operations, Head of Real Estate and opening General Manager to location number one. Since creating The Branstetter Group, Vic has provided guidance to a wide variety of brands all over the world. Vic graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in economics from Northeastern State College in Tehlequah Oklahoma.

Ian Sephton

Partner

Ian brings over two decades of experience to The Branstetter Group. Since 2008 Ian has helped create 10+ brands from the ideation phase to opening, all of which are still in operation today. Ian was previously AVP for the University of Southern California. Before USC, Ian worked in senior leadership roles with DHL and the United States Marine Corps. Ian was awarded the Top 25 Alumni Award at CLU, Administrator of the Year at USC and led two companies to the Inc500 award for fastest growing private companies. Ian has a B.S. in Business Administration from California Lutheran University and an MBA from USC.

Jennifer Echevarria

Director of Hospitality

With hospitality experience in excess of 25 years, Jennifer oversees TBG’s “front of the house” hospitality operations, working with current FOH/BOH teams and management to improve overall operations, implement standard operating procedures, and control quality and cost of goods. In addition, she also specializes in new restaurant openings having opened nearly 20 properties across the country. Prior to joining TBG, Jennifer spent the past 10 years of her career in General Management for companies such as Hillstone Restaurant Group. While consistently operating the business at optimum, she was also responsible for all aspects of recruitment, hiring, and developing company leadership, grooming several into General Managers before their deployment into assigned markets. Jennifer has a B.A. in Broadcast Business/Management with a minor in communication from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Valerie Ortiz

Senior Hospitality Consultant

Valerie joins The Branstetter Group with over 25 years of hospitality practice. She spent nearly 10 years with Hyatt Hotels working from fine dining to casual outlets, In Room Dining and opening a new F&B outlet. After leaving the Hyatt, Valerie turned to industry leader, Hillstone Restaurant Group, and remained with the organization for 14 years. During her time with HRG, worked in multiple markets across the country, 5 years which were spent at a premiere Management training location. There she worked closely with new company Managers, instilling core values and educating them on company systems. Valerie’s specialties include labor management, implementing high service standards, recruitment, training, and overseeing departmental management in restaurants. Valerie has a B.A. in Communication studies from Arizona State University.

Daniel Schwerdtfeger

Finance & Accounting Manager

Daniel currently works with Hangar202 as an FP&A/SP&A consultant. Prior to his consulting work, he worked as the FP&A Manager at SADA Systems, where he oversaw all processes related to finance and accounting in a fast-growth environment. The company more than doubled its annual revenue to over $100MM from 2015 to 2017. In 2016, 2017, and 2018, SADA Systems was named to the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing companies for the 9th, 10th, and 11th years, respectively. During this time, he led the company through its first-ever financial audit, resulting in the auditing firm issuing an unqualified opinion on the company’s finance and accounting processes and outcomes. He also served as the back-office lead in a sell-side due diligence process that resulted in a successful and complete divestiture of a business unit to a strategic buyer backed by a private equity firm. He has a B.Sc. in Economics and Finance from the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business.

Marvin Wells

Senior Hospitality Consultant

Marvin brings a career in hospitality that has spanned multiple platforms throughout his many years of commitment. He has held positions such as Senior Corporate Opening Coordinator, West Coast Service Manager Trainer, Regional Service Manager, and in-house General Manager. While with Hillstone Restaurant Group for over 22 years, his contributions included acting as a liaison between corporate and regional levels, implementing sound solutions in problem solving and public relations, and ensuring guest satisfaction to the smallest of details. Marvin understands that great people are key to company success. Over the course of his career, Marvin has spent time recruiting, onboarding and training many talented operators with this principle in mind. It is Marvin’s mission to lead from a place of inspiration and respect while promoting the value of working as a team.

Ian Evenstar

Creative Director

Ian has over two decades of experience guiding clients through the creative process. Ian was previously the Design Director for the University of Southern California. He also played a key advisory role on USC’s Presidential Leadership and PR Council. During his career, Ian won national and international awards for branding, thought leadership and creative excellence in the fields of design, advertising, and marketing. He received a B.F.A from the University of Southern California and attended graduate school at USC for his M.A.
 

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