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Food service & retail consulting for cultural institutions, higher education, corporate dining, and convention centers.

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      • Tracy Lawler
      • Brooke Botwinick
      • Connor Leahy
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      • Barry Skown
      • Lisa Baptista
      • Martin Thorson
      • Elise Ruf
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Request Consultation
JGL Consultants
  • Home
  • About
    • Team
      • Tracy Lawler
      • Brooke Botwinick
      • Connor Leahy
      • Colleen Geyer
      • Hollie Altman
      • John M. Franzini
      • Barry Skown
      • Lisa Baptista
      • Martin Thorson
      • Elise Ruf
    • Testimonials
  • Services
    • Food & Beverage Consulting
    • Retail Consulting
  • Clients
    • Corporate Dining
    • Higher Education
    • Museums
    • Performing Arts Centers
    • Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens
    • Convention Centers & Other
  • Projects
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Brochures
    • Presentations
    • FAQ
    • Glossary
  • Contact
    • Request Consultation
JGL Consultants
  • Home
  • About
    • Team
      • Tracy Lawler
      • Brooke Botwinick
      • Connor Leahy
      • Colleen Geyer
      • Hollie Altman
      • John M. Franzini
      • Barry Skown
      • Lisa Baptista
      • Martin Thorson
      • Elise Ruf
    • Testimonials
  • Services
    • Food & Beverage Consulting
    • Retail Consulting
  • Clients
    • Corporate Dining
    • Higher Education
    • Museums
    • Performing Arts Centers
    • Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens
    • Convention Centers & Other
  • Projects
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Brochures
    • Presentations
    • FAQ
    • Glossary
  • Contact
    • Request Consultation

Food for Thought

HomeFood for Thought(Page 11)
choosing a foodservice provider
September 27, 2018
By David McCallum
Food for Thought

Your mission, should they choose to accept it…

One of the most important factors in choosing a foodservice provider for a cultural institution is identifying a concept that is aligned with the mission and aesthetic of that inst

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Favorite Restaurant
September 4, 2018
By Tracy Lawler
Food for Thought

What Is Your Favorite Restaurant?

As a food service consultant, I cannot count the number of times someone has asked me “What is your favorite restaurant?” My colleagues know that is a question I struggle with

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An External Event Is One Big Cultivation Effort
August 9, 2018
By Brooke Botwinick
Food for Thought

An External Event Is One Big Cultivation Effort

When a cultural organization uses its space for third-party events, it’s opening its doors to a world of potential donors. I started my career working as a political fundraiser h

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Value in Passionate Partnerships
July 23, 2018
By David McCallum
Food for Thought

Value in Passionate Partnerships

When JGL guides our clients through an RFP process, some of the primary qualities we look for in a foodservice provider are a willingness to be a true partner and a passion for the

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Ireland Food Services
July 9, 2018
By Tracy Lawler
Food for Thought

Reflections on Irish Food Service

Freshly back from an eight day tour of Ireland (too short), I found some of the food and beverage facilities and practices I encountered unique and worthy of comment. My family is

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Art Institute of Chicago Foodservice Consultants
June 27, 2018
By Brooke Botwinick
Food for Thought

Art, Food, and the Museum – It All Comes Together at the Art Institute of Chicago

Tracy and I were just in Chicago working with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. While in the Windy City, we were able to visit the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC). JGL worked with the

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Food Photographer
June 8, 2018
By David McCallum
Food for Thought

Food Photography 101

JGL would like to dedicate this to the late Anthony Bourdain, his friends and family. Like so many in our industry, he struggled, but like so many in our industry, he spent the tim

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JGL’s Roots – A Tribute to Our Founder
April 13, 2018
By Tracy Lawler
Food for Thought

JGL’s Roots – A Tribute to Our Founder

Most people who meet me and learn what I do for a living ask “how did you get into this”? My answer is in a very circular (yet organic) way. It all started with my dad James Ga

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Smile, though your heart is breaking
April 10, 2018
By David McCallum
Food for Thought

Smile, though your heart is breaking…

I grew up in the restaurant industry. My father had a small inn, 20 rooms in total, along with a fine dining restaurant on a small island in the Chesapeake. It’s cliché, but tru

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Posts pagination

1 … 10 11

Recent Posts

April 6, 2026
By Lisa Baptista
Food for Thought

The Power of a Food Service Feasibility Study: Data That Drives Better Decisions

Food service programs are complex and require significant investment and careful planning. Whether an organization is launching a new dining venue, renovating facilities, or rethin

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March 9, 2026
By Martin Thorson
Food for Thought

Food Service at Convention Venues: Balancing Control, Risk, and Return

Food and beverage programs in convention and exposition venues sit at the crossroads of guest experience, financial performance, and operational complexity. As markets shift and ex

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January 13, 2026
By Brooke Botwinick
Food for Thought

Martin Thorson joins as Leader of Convention Center Consulting Practice

JGL Consultants is pleased to announce that Martin Thorson has joined the firm to lead its Convention Center Consulting practice. Martin brings more than two decades of executive l

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December 16, 2025
By JGLadmin
Food for ThoughtRetail

A Look Back at 2025…

It’s that time of year – a time to reflect and take pride in all you’ve accomplished. It has been another banner year at JGL, and we wanted to share some of this year’s

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October 15, 2025
By Lisa Baptista
Retail

Merch with Meaning

For many cultural institutions, retail operations are far more than souvenir stands — but are they being used to their full potential? The merchandise strategy, not just the shop

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JGL Consultants Food Service and Retail Consulting

JGL Consultants is a boutique food service and retail consultancy specializing in cultural institutions, higher education, corporate dining and convention centers. For 40+ years we have bridged the gap between institutional clients and the operators that serve them, delivering optimized financial results, stronger vendor relationships, and measurably better guest experiences.

732.274.1694
in**@************ts.com
224 Cleveland Ln, Princeton, NJ 08540

 

WBENC certified women-owned business
Services
  • Food & Beverage Consulting
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  • Retail RFP
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  • Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens
  • Performing Arts Centers
  • Higher Education
  • Corporate Dining
  • Convention Centers & Other
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Food service and retail consulting for performing arts centers, museums, universities, & convention centers.

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    Strategic Food Service Management in Institutions

    Effective food service management within cultural and educational institutions requires a delicate balance between operational efficiency and the preservation of an organization's unique mission. By aligning dining concepts with the overarching brand aesthetic, institutions can transform routine visitor amenities into high-value experiences that resonate with their target audience.

    JGL Consultants leverages deep industry expertise to guide organizations through complex transitions, ensuring that every aspect of the guest experience—from menu development to service delivery—supports the institution's long-term goals. Our approach prioritizes sustainable partnerships that foster growth and enhance the overall reputation of the venue.

    Optimizing RFP Processes for Food Service Providers

    Navigating the Request for Proposal (RFP) process is a critical step in selecting a foodservice partner that truly understands the nuances of institutional environments. Identifying providers who demonstrate both operational excellence and a genuine passion for the client's mission is essential for building a successful, long-term collaboration.

    When evaluating potential partners, we focus on their ability to integrate resources effectively while maintaining the high standards expected by institutional stakeholders. A collaborative partnership model ensures that the provider acts as an extension of the institution, consistently delivering value that reflects the organization's core values and operational needs.