"Fresh-casual" delivers on the hottest foodie trends in America – quick, trendy, healthy and of course, delicious. The Group is using their special definition to put the finishing touches on several, soon-to-be-announced, blockbuster restaurant concepts across the US.
"We can't always make time for fresh food, but we also want to eat well," says Tom Kelley, President, AccessPoint Group. "Our conceptual eateries will offer guests the best of both worlds – food truck style with guest-centric restaurant flair."
Kelley is a former National Restaurant Association staffer and Board member with over 25 years working with, and learning from, hospitality industry icons worldwide.
The Mission Hills-based firm tripled in size just over eight months from hanging out its shingle by providing clients a "from scratch" personal touch on culinary reviews, executive chef placement, menu development and labor and food costing.
AccessPoint Group recently expanded and opened offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. and recruited two accomplished chefs from the Culinary Institute of America, James Bailey and Eric Cares.
Firm co-founders, Kelley and Charles Smith and their team, bring more than 125 years of top-shelf marketing work ranging from established, iconic brands like PepsiCo and Nabisco, and local favorites like LA's famed Du-Par's Restaurants, along with new, emerging entrepreneurs seeking to develop hospitality concepts.
Recent restaurant projects allowed AccessPoint Group to build footholds in California, Colorado, Illinois, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. and work with the innovative two Michelin-star Chef Jason McLeod of Elysian Hotel and The Grand Del Mar Hotel fame.
"I love the idea of making our menus accessible for all," McLeod said. "It's a budget challenge for foodies today to find great food at a great price – 'fresh-casual' delivers. It's all about perfect execution and the total guest experience – something we bring every day to leading independents and emerging growth chains."
The Group's expert team completes the 360-degree hospitality experience for each project including branding, marketing, design and interactive ground-up modeling to fit each community and clientele base.
Formed through a merger between AccessPointMedia Group, a leading interactive, web and design firm, and Concept Branding Group, a nationwide retail food and hospitality concept developer, lifestyle clients can now ensure a consistent and sustainable one-stop-shopping launching pad.
"It goes to show that with the right blend of complimentary disciplines under one roof, clients keep coming back for that depth of experience and ability to look with a fresh perspective at brands and operations," said Smith, CEO, AccessPoint Group. "We've been able to attract top talent and provide our clients with senior counsel because the entire team has been on the front lines of running hospitality operations – while never overlooking the complete guest experience."
