For partners
Most partners try to be "flexible" and end up looking like nobody in particular. Pick a lane. Owners respond to specificity.
Silent / investor partner or Equity partner
You can write a meaningful check ($100K+) but you don't want a day job. You want returns and governance, not the keys to the kitchen. Look for preferred equity, revenue-based deals, or a buy-in to a multi-unit hold-co.
See investor structuresGrowth partner or Operator partnership
You've run units before. You see a great concept that's stuck at one location. You'll trade salary upside for real equity in what you build. Salary + carry + equity vesting against unit opens.
See growth dealsFractional CFO / C-suite
You spent 15+ years as a CFO, COO, or CMO. You don't want one full-time job — you want three part-time ones with equity upside. Retainer + 1–3% equity vesting is the standard.
See fractional structuresStrategic advisor
You open doors. You've seen 100 deals. A monthly call, the right intro at the right time, and a sanity check on the big decisions is worth more than any consultant's hours. Standard: 0.25–1% equity vesting over 2 years.
See advisor dealsMarketing partner
You treat restaurants like brands to build, not accounts to bill. You'd take a reduced retainer for performance upside or equity. Channel-specific revenue shares (catering, e-commerce) are your friend.
See marketing dealsOwner-to-owner partnership
Shared commissary, dual-concept locations, cross-equity swaps — the most underrated category. The economics are usually obvious; the hard part is papering it cleanly.
See owner-to-owner dealsFranchise development
You build the FDD, the support system, and the sales pipeline. You take a share of franchise fees plus ongoing royalties — sometimes equity in the franchisor itself.
See franchise deals