Accounting for a complex business model
Ballast Point hoped a menu refresh would reverse slumping sales. RMD Group showed them the data and discovered a missing ingredient.
In two decades, Ballast Point Brewing Co. exploded from small-batch homebrew to a billion-dollar national brand. After a revenue peak, sales began to go flat. Their restaurants struggled in an increasingly saturated market before COVID-19 brought a new set of challenges to overcome. Looking for a way to turn things around, they engaged RMD for a one-month commitment to audit their restaurant menu and concept.
The discovery
We took a deep dive inside Ballast Point’s operations, assessing food and beverage, competitors, on-site service, decor and vibe, and accounting. We learned as much as possible from the data available. But the biggest opportunity was revealed by data that was not available.
Despite its expansions, the original KPI infrastructure was not tracking key data critical to identifying and resolving inefficiencies. RMD Group had ideas to improve the concept. But without this infrastructure in place, any results would be short-lived before inevitable complications arose.
“RMD’s presentation was eye-opening for us. The creativity and the level of expertise, but also the way they approached our needs holistically. They took a step back and recognized an opportunity for something bigger, and helped us realize it too. Once we saw the numbers, it was a no-brainer to proceed.”
- Partner, Kings & Convicts
Strength in numbers
RMD put together an action plan and presented our findings to the executive team and owners. We proposed improvements to the existing restaurant concept along an upgraded KPI tracking process, detailing an efficient implementation plan.
Ballast Point contracted us to execute the plan. We established a robust, data-driven foundation for Ballast Point to survive and thrive in the new post-pandemic market, including:
- Upgraded KPI tracking
- Point of Sale installation and configuration
- Staffing and training
In tandem, RMD Group was tasked with building out a new 12,000-square-foot restaurant and taproom for Ballast Point in San Francisco.
Still more brewing
Upon completion, Ballast Point again extended their engagement with us to conceptualize and re-launch two new tasting room locations. RMD Group is collaborating with Kings & Convicts, who purchased Ballast Point in 2019, to create the persona for these locations – from menu to decor to music to uniforms.
Ballast Point thought a new menu would reinvigorate their restaurant sales. But they lacked the data to be sure. RMD Group’s solution empowered Ballast Point with a proven system for measuring and tracking their business, positioning them for long-term, self-sustainable success, and earning their trust in the process.