Running a hospitality venue is tough at the best of times. Rising costs, staff shortages, and endless hours mean most owners are constantly in survival mode, not because they don’t care, but because no one ever showed them how to run the business side of hospo.
City of Moreton Bay Leads the Way
Earlier this year, the City of Moreton Bay launched the Master Your Food Business program, backed by the Council’s $1 million Business Boost initiative. Delivered in partnership with Crunch Hospo, The Coffee Commune, and The Hospitality Company, the program gave cafés, restaurants, and licensed venues a practical pathway to build smarter, more sustainable businesses.
For just $95, later reimbursed through a Moreton Money gift card to spend locally, operators got access to:
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Five hands-on workshops led by industry experts like James O’Connell and Phillip Di Bella
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One-on-one mentoring tailored to their venue’s challenges
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Ongoing support via the Crunch Hospo platform, including masterclasses, live Q&A coaching, and a connected peer community
This mix of in-person learning and digital support meant owners weren’t just inspired, they were able to implement changes in real time.
The Impact on Local Venues
Across April to June 2025, participating businesses reported:
✅ Stronger understanding of profit margins, COGS, and wage percentages
✅ Smarter systems that reduced owner workload
✅ More confident leadership and better staff engagement
✅ A shift from “just surviving” to planning for sustainable growth
For Paul Wilkinson, owner of The Latin Shack, the program was a turning point:
“Before the program, we were struggling with rising costs and declining customer numbers. The tools and coaching gave us clarity, confidence, and a plan. We’ve already reduced our cost of goods by 6%, introduced smarter menu design, and moved from loss-making to break-even. We’re now aiming for profitability in the next quarter.”
Why It Matters
Hospitality isn’t just about food and drinks. Strong venues mean:
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More local jobs
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Vibrant high streets
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More reasons for visitors to explore and spend in the community
As Mayor Peter Flannery put it:
“Supporting our hospitality sector has countless flow-on benefits, from adding to our great liveability, to providing even more reasons for visitors to come and enjoy the hospitality of Moreton Bay.”
Council investment doesn’t just strengthen small businesses, it strengthens the entire community.
Looking Ahead
With the first round of Master Your Food Business complete, Crunch is exploring new opportunities to collaborate with councils across Australia.
Discover how you can support your local venues with Crunch
