Buffalo Block New Concept Development and Start Up Support
Challenge
Rick Larson purchased the historic Rex Restaurant & Bar in downtown Billings, Montana, with the goal of opening Buffalo Block, leveraging the unique building to create a dual-character concept split between a fine-dining steakhouse and elevated pub with a full-service bar.
Solution
Initially, Synergy was enlisted to complete a concept development project, creating a concept book and financial model based on the brand development session. Once the concept was approved, the Synergy culinary team completed menu development using strategic ingredient planning to produce a well balanced menu that would be consistently executable by the staff. Synergy also designed the restaurant’s logo and brand identity system, helped the ownership team select and hire a Executive Chef and General Manager, and conducted a two-day strategic planning session with the new restaurant management team to establish operating and training procedures.
Outcome & Benefits
The Synergy team created the culinary and operations groundwork to organize the concept for a successful launch. By first hiring the Executive Chef and General Manager, the Synergy operations team led the strategic planning session while heavily involving the new managers. The result was a smooth opening for Buffalo Block and a successful new restaurant to meet the needs of Billings’ natives and visitors.