Case Studies


Mentoring a Lower Hudson Valley NY coffee shop to financial stability

A coffee shop in Rockland County, NY has not been profitable. It has a very good location with excellent pedestrian traffic – especially on the weekends. Sales remained constant during COVID-19. Baked goods are made in-house and are EXCELLENT. Sales volume can handle the rent. In reviewing the un-profitable status, the PRIME COSTS of Labor […]

Read More....

Vernick Food & Drink

Vernick Food & Drink

Eckstut first met Greg Vernick when he and his family attended Harris’ “Dollars & Sense of Owning A Restaurant” course. Afterwards, the Vernicks hired him to assist in finding and acquiring the right location and property, and then they continued working together with the planning, permitting, building, and opening. Through this process, Eckstut helped shepherd […]

Read More....

Cicala At The Divine Lorraine

THE RESULTS: OPENING FIRST RESTAURANT FOR CHEF JOE CICALA Cicala at the Divine Lorraine opened in November 2019, which was just months before the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, Cicala at the Divine Lorraine was listed in Philly Mag’s Philadelphia’s 50 Best Restaurants. Additionally, the restaurant earned a 3 bells from Craig Laban. OPENING FIRST RESTAURANT FOR […]

Read More....

Opening a 2nd location – Pop Shop, Medford NJ

This client has had a successful first location for over a decade and wants to grow the brand and business by opening a second location. Hoping to franchise in the future, the partners were advised to have multiple successful operations. The client’s personal resources are limited, so they need to have an investor and/or partner. […]

Read More....

Revitalization of Urban Main Street Storefront BART’S BAGELS

Through a recommendation of a past Main Line Philadelphia restaurant client, Harris was approached by a technology professional wanting to change careers and get into a business he dreamed of owning, a high quality New York bagel making enterprise. He had studied the art and science of making a high quality bakery and “staged” at […]

Read More....

Green Line Cafe Expansion into Center City

Green Line Cafe Expansion into Center City

Green Line Cafe is a successful coffee shop client who has been in business for 10+ years, having several locations in the University City area, and wants to expand to Center City Philadelphia. Process of Eckstut Consulting: It is determined how much space is needed that works for the demographics, the rent, and other monthly […]

Read More....

University City Science Center Restaurant

University City Science Center Restaurant

Eckstut was hired by Wexford Science & Technology, the new partners at the University City Science Center, to investigate the then tenant who had stopped paying rent, claiming he wasn’t doing enough business and wanting to restructure the deal. Eckstut reviewed all aspects of the business from the sales and marketing and service and quality, […]

Read More....

Shorty’s Sunflower Cafe, Pottstown, PA

Food Truck

Shorty’s Sunflower Cafe is a long-time very successful breakfast and lunch business featuring farm-to-table breakfast and lunch, located in exurban Philadelphia. For years the sales had been mainly stagnant due to location and limited marketing opportunities for a mostly semi-rural location. The owners (husband & wife) contacted Harris to help grow the business. To try […]

Read More....

Landlord Review of Troubled Property

Han Dynasty Harris was hired by the landlord and financial partner of a relatively new restaurant that had not been performing to expectations. Harris reviewed all aspects of the business from the then current operating pro forma with the initial expectations and pro formas. His forensic analysis of the sales and costs and management provided […]

Read More....