Playbook

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NYC operator playbook

Open a Hotel F&B Program in NYC

A multi-venue NYC hotel F&B program — lobby bar + signature restaurant + rooftop bar + private dining + banquet kitchen. Concept tier: $5M-$25M+ all-in across the program, 18-30 months from concept-lock to full opening. Brand-standard FF&E + multi-tier liquor license + Beverage Director + multiple bar managers drive the staffing.

All-in spend

$5M - $25M+ all-in

Timeline

18 - 30 months

Concept tier

3-5 venue hotel program

Phases

12 phases · 98 vendor lines

Hotel F&B is a different operating model than standalone restaurant or bar — it's a multi-venue program with shared back-of-house, integrated room-service + banquet program, and brand-standard FF&E that limits design flexibility. NYC luxury + lifestyle hotel openings layer 3-5 distinct F&B venues (lobby bar + signature restaurant + rooftop + private dining + banquet kitchen) into a single building over 18-30 months.

Capital reality: $5M-$15M for a 3-venue lifestyle hotel; $15M-$35M+ for a luxury 5-venue program (Equinox Hotel / The Standard / Soho House-tier). Brand-prototype + brand-standards FF&E (Bernhardt Hospitality + Tropitone + Beaufurn) gates ~60% of FF&E selection. Beverage Director + Executive Chef + multiple bar managers + banquet captain are the core hospitality hires.

The 12-phase structure below tracks every category an operator engages from concept through opening + post-open recurring ops. Each phase calls out the L3 vendor lines — click into any category for the audited buyer's guide.

Phase 01

Months -30 to -24

$200K-$1.5M soft costs

Concept + brand + raise

Hotel Consultant + Operations Consultant + Restaurant Consultant lock the multi-venue F&B program (lobby bar + signature restaurant + rooftop + private dining + banquet). Brand-standards FF&E spec from hotel brand (Marriott / Hilton / Hyatt / IHG) gates ~60% of FF&E. Investor pitch deck + 36-month pro forma for hotel-scale capital raise.

Critical path

Brand-prototype + FF&E specs locked at concept lock — 60% of FF&E selection then constrained by brand-standards manual.

Hotel Consultant

★ Critical

Hotel-program concept + multi-venue strategy

Open a Hotel F&B Program in NYC

Concept + brand + raise

Hotel Consultant

Restaurant Consultant

Food & Beverage Consultant

Operations Consultant

Investor & Fundraising Advisor

Accounting & Bookkeeping

Business Insurance Broker

Real estate + lease (or development)

Commercial Real Estate Broker

Lease Attorney

Liquor License Attorney

Design + architecture (multi-venue)

Architect

Interior Designer

Lighting Designer

Acoustic Consultant

Kitchen Design Consultant

Signage & Wayfinding

Permits + compliance (multi-venue)

Liquor License Attorney

Regulatory Compliance Consultant

Expeditor

ADA Compliance Consulting

Fire Protection Contractor

Health Department Prep & Food Safety

Construction (hotel + F&B venues)

General Contractor

Electrician

Plumbing Contractor

HVAC Contractor

Commercial Ventilation & Exhaust Hood

Rooftop & Terrace Builder

Soundproofing Contractor

Millwork & Custom Fabrication

Countertop & Surface Fabricator

Tile & Stone Installer

Flooring Contractor

Glass & Mirror

Awning & Canopy

Kitchen + bar equipment

Kitchen Equipment

Refrigeration & Cold Storage

Kitchen Smallware

Bar Equipment

Beverage Dispensing Equipment

Ice Machine

Warewashing Equipment

Storage & Shelving

Safety & Security Equipment

FoH + brand-standards FF&E

Tables

Seating

Lounge & Specialty Furniture Rental

Outdoor Furniture

Tabletop & Serviceware

Bar Supply & Glassware

Wine Storage & Display

Audio-Visual Equipment

Linen Rental

Decorative Elements

F&B + beverage suppliers

Meat Purveyor

Produce Purveyor

Seafood Purveyor

Charcuterie & Specialty Meat

Bread & Bakery Supplier

Dessert & Pastry Supplier

Coffee Roaster & Supplier

Wine Distributor

Spirits Distributor

Beer Distributor

Cleaning & Janitorial Supply

Tech + ops + property management

Point of Sale System

Kitchen Display System

Reservation & Table Management

Property Management System

Hotel Guest Experience Platform