The Face Behind Ground Up Hospitality

I’m Kerrod Pedley, founder of Ground Up Hospitality, a consulting service built on real results and hard-earned experience in the industry.

When I first started my venture into business in 2013, I wish I had someone to warn me, guide me and assist me through the beginnings of my new hospitality business, The Railway Tavern Bistro. I thought I had all the knowledge, confidence and go-get attitude to take on the hospitality industry. Little did I know that it was much larger than I could have ever imagined.

I made many mistakes, spent money where I didn’t need to, but most of all, I ran myself into the ground. In May 2020, COVID took the last of my mental self, and I had to call it.

After a 2-year break running a small Olympic Weightlifting Gym, I finally took back the reins in hospitality. Now with 7 years of knowledge in business to back me up, I took on The Local Glen Innes. This business had so much potential, and we took it to all new heights.

At Railway Tavern Bistro, I grew our covers from 400 to over 1,000 per week, reaching $1.2 million in annual revenue. As head chef, I was still deeply involved in day-to-day operations but I learned exactly what it takes to grow volume, manage teams, and maintain quality under pressure. Best of all, my short time operating our gym brought me closer to the community, allowing me to mentor my clients through tough physical and mental decisions.

At The Local Glen Innes, I took over a business turning over $600K and scaled it to over $1 million in just two years, while reducing my personal workload to just three days a week. That shift wasn’t luck, it came down to better systems, better menus, and better team management.

I’m here to help you through these challenges, avoid burnout and assist with the daily, monthly or yearly tasks of forming a sustainable & profitable hospitality business that doesn’t take all of your time.

Time is valuable, ensuring you use your time wising working on your business is key. Today’s day and age is about sustainability. You come first. Without you, the business wouldn’t have come into existence and all those workers wouldn’t have jobs. It’s important to put yourself first and it’s important to pay yourself accordingly.

Most business owners scoff at the idea of being paid a reasonable wage. However, you’re not in this for enjoyment alone. At the end of the day, you need to support yourself for the time you put into your business. That’s why I strongly believe your business must pay you a wage and take a profit before all else.

Let’s be realistic, cost of goods these days don’t drop below 40%, and wages rarely dip below 35% in hospitality. Since 2020, wages have grown significantly and food costs are always on the rise. That means you need to stay ahead of the game.

With 40% cost of goods, 10% operational costs, 35% wages (including your own), and 10% tax, you’re left with just 5% net profit, if everything’s running right. This is where I come in.

Let’s take a deep dive into your business, your numbers, your menu, your processes and your efficiency and see where we can ensure this works for you.

Whether you’re just starting out or ready to step back without stepping away, I offer tailored consulting, hands-on mentoring, and proven tools that will help you build a stronger business, from the ground up.