When a buzzy new restaurant opens in Los Angeles, there’s often a great chef, a design-forward space, and an Instagram-ready menu. What most people don’t see is the team behind the scenes making it all tick. Increasingly, that team includes Playbook Advisors, a consulting and operations firm that helps hospitality brands not only open but also function at their best.
Playbook Advisors isn’t your typical consultancy. While many firms stop at strategy and planning, Playbook integrates deeply, often stepping in as an operating partner. In fact, the team was a key player behind Washington Square Pizza, a new concept debuting in Venice. While the founder brought the vision and architectural know-how, it was Playbook that helped bring the restaurant to life by building systems, recruiting staff, managing vendors, and laying down the operational foundation.
“Our clients might think they’re hiring a consultant,” says one representative. “But they quickly realize it’s a full-on relationship. We’re in it with them, and we’re not just handing over a plan and walking away.”
Playbook works across several industries, from early-stage startups to large-scale enterprises, but its strongest reputation lies in hospitality and lifestyle, including restaurants, boutique hotels, members’ clubs, and more. Whether it is launching a high-end juice concept in Beverly Hills or scaling a music-tour partnership across the country, the firm plugs into operations wherever it is needed most.
What separates Playbook from other firms is its hands-on approach. While many consultants build systems and step away, Playbook stays involved, remaining engaged as long as necessary or indefinitely. Representatives say this operating model is where the company thrives. “We build it, manage it, train the people, and implement the workflows. And we stay in the picture for as long as we’re needed.”
That kind of integration creates a different kind of client relationship, something that Playbook likens to “business therapy.” Many entrepreneurs come in with a dream: to launch something personal, scale something quickly, or create a lasting impact. But once the real work begins, it becomes a journey of self-awareness and tough decisions. “You learn everything about someone when you build a business together,” says the team. “What they value, what they avoid, what they really want. It’s not just about logistics. It’s about clarity.”
Playbook’s flexible model supports businesses from early idea through execution and expansion. Teams work with clients to define the heart of the concept and build toward it, whether that means structuring for speed, building for legacy, or refining product-market fit. One piece of advice the team often gives is Don’t build something just because you want it. Build what the concept needs to be.
That philosophy has led to an impressive track record. While most of their projects happen behind the curtain, many have gone on to receive national press, win awards, or become local favorites. Still, the firm often hears from new clients who didn’t think they’d be “big enough” to work with them. The team is quick to shut that down. “No client is too small if the vision is serious. Our model is designed to scale up or down depending on what is needed.”
Heading into 2026, Playbook Advisors is continuing to evolve. A major goal for the coming year is to expand operating partnerships, where the firm not only advises but also entirely runs the backend of businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, and lifestyle brands. The firm has already quietly managed this for a few select concepts, but now they’re looking to scale the model and bring more visibility to that part of the business.
“When a space opens and people love the vibe, the service, and how smooth everything feels, we want Playbook Advisors to be part of that conversation,” says the team. “We’re not just consulting anymore. We’re operating, and we’re ready to bring that to more clients.”
In an industry full of personality and pivot, Playbook Advisors is offering something rare: consistency, clarity, and the operational backbone needed to turn vision into reality. Whether they’re called in to fix a system, launch a flagship, or build something from scratch, the result is the same: a better business that actually works.
