Trusted for Over 40 Years Request Consultation FOOD SERVICE & RETAIL CONSULTING Bridging the gap between cultural institutions, universities, and corporate dining facilities and the operators that serve them. Grow Revenue. Deepen Impact. See Our Work CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS JGL helps museums, zoos, aquariums, and performing arts centers build food service and retail programs that earn more and mean more. Retail That Performs Learn More MUSEUM STORES & GIFT SHOPS We assess, reposition, and grow your retail operations to maximize revenue and visitor engagement. Dining as a Retention Tool Explore Higher Ed HIGHER EDUCATION DINING JGL helps colleges and universities build programs that serve students and support the bottom line. Maximize revenue potential Learn More EVENT RENTAL & VENUE CONSULTING We assess, benchmark and manage food service RFP processes for convention centers nationwide.

"We are passionate about helping our clients achieve their goals in food service, event rental, catering and retail. We are laser focused on client success."

Tracy Lawler, President

JGL is a boutique consultancy serving the corporate, cultural, and higher education markets. We are passionate about developing successful food service and retail operations at our client locations. "Success" may mean the hot new destination restaurant in an expanding museum, increased retail merchandise sales at a zoo, a revitalized event rental program at an aquarium, identification of a food service partner with aligned sustainability initiatives at a college or university, or improved quality and service at a convention center. JGL's customized management advisory expertise enables our team to deliver on client goals.

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“The Center engaged JGL to assess a unique situation, develop strategy, and create an abbreviated RFP process. Their keen insight in the food and beverage industry related to the specific nature of cultural facilities was invaluable. We found a company to meet our needs through the process and are now able to meet the expectations of our guests and the prerequisites of our organization in a fluid manner. JGL was on point with finding the right fit talent for us to move forward.”

Jeremy G. Shubrook, Sr. Director, Operations, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County

“Hamline University recently went through an RFP process to select a new dining services provider for our university. With guidance from JGL Consultants, we navigated the process with confidence and ultimately secured a fantastic partnership. From the very beginning, JGL took the time to understand our culture, the specific needs of our community and worked with us to find the right fit. We highly recommend JGL Consultants. Their expertise and professionalism made a significant positive impact in our selection process.”

Patti Kersten, Ed.D, VP Student Affairs/Dean of Students, Hamline University

“Thank you for leading such a thoughtful and energizing workshop! These two days exceeded my expectations, and I saw growth in our team that I wasn’t expecting to see so soon. Your gentle, yet firm approach allowed us to stay true to the goals outlined in the implementation proposal, while also encouraging us to step beyond our comfort zones and think in terms of possibilities, not just where we are today. That balance set exactly the right tone for the work ahead and gave us momentum I know we’ll carry forward. I’m truly grateful for your guidance and partnership as we move this project forward.”

Christina Chagin, Former Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Deputy COO, National Constitution Center

“JGL Consultants provided us with a complete process for creating a new preferred vendor program including research, analysis, a structure for review and evaluation, a draft contract, and communications with vendors. Having JGL as objective partner was invaluable to refining the program.”

Charlotte Donn, Chief Marketing Officer, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

“Working with JGL was an exceptional experience from start to finish for The Trustees. We initially engaged JGL for their expertise in private events business analysis, facilities and operational assessment and rental program optimization. Following their assessment, we decided to also hire JGL to oversee a dual RFP that ultimately delivered results well beyond our original expectations. Our structure is complex and unusual, and JGL’s team brought clarity, structure, and deep industry insight to every step of the process. I can’t say enough about the support, wisdom, and guidance provided by Brooke Botwinick, Hollie Altman, and Lisa Baptista. Thanks to their expertise, we executed a competitive selection process and secured a catering partner aligned with our priorities. JGL elevated this project far beyond our expectations. I could not have asked for better partners or a better outcome. And I could never have gotten through the process without JGL.”

Laurie Lee, Director of Enterprise Partnerships, The Trustees

"We recently used JGL to manage an RFP process for café and catering services. We cannot say enough about their professionalism, attention to detail and ability to truly understand the needs of the Foundation. Working through an RFP process during a pandemic could have been incredibly challenging; but JGL’s organized, logical and creative approach made every aspect of the process easy for our team – even the virtual tastings!! We can’t imagine where we would be today if we didn’t work with JGL, they are simply the best in the business!"

Robin Riemenschneider, Mgr of Hospitality Services, Ford Foundation

"Liberty Science Center recently retained JGL Consultants to manage the RFP process for a new foodservice vendor for our on-site cafe and catering services at both LSC and the future SciTech Scity conference center. JGL worked closely with senior leaders at LSC to thoroughly assess the needs of the institution and understand the future model of SciTech Scity, which is still in development. As LSC was eager to move the process forward quickly without foodservice currently on site, JGL made LSC a priority, crafting a detailed RFP, working closely with their contacts in the industry to attract a large number of top quality national and local candidates to bid, holding in-person and virtual walkthroughs during the COVID pandemic, and getting questions answered in a timely manner. JGL’s guidance and expertise were extremely helpful in getting competitive bids for this project. I personally called Tracy on numerous occasions for input and was provided prompt and extremely helpful feedback so I could keep the process moving with LSC’s best interests in mind. When we were originally looking for a foodservice consultant for this RFP process, I spoke to about half a dozen colleagues in the industry, and literally every single one of them had worked with JGL at one point or another. I felt very confident that Tracy and her team know this industry inside and out."

Amanda Cunningham, Former COO, Liberty Science Center

"Boscobel House and Gardens benefited enormously from the research, recommendations, and results-oriented approach of JGL. Brooke Botwinick understands the opportunities and challenges facing museums related to private events and food service. She has provided critical information and processes to help Boscobel develop a private events business that aligns with our mission, brand, organizational values, and revenue needs."

Jennifer Carlquist, Executive Director & Curator, Boscobel House and Gardens
Tracy Lawler

President

Brooke Botwinick

VP, Marketing & Operations

John M. Franzini

Senior Retail Consultant

Connor Leahy

Senior Consultant

Hollie Altman

Senior Consultant

Barry Skown

Consultant

Lisa Baptista

Consultant

Martin Thorson

Project Consultant

Colleen Geyer

Assoc. Director of Admin & Ops

Elise Ruf

Consultant

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JGL has consultants strategically located to support clients in the United States and Canada.

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