City of Moreton Bay Council’s ‘Master Your Food Business’ program has officially wrapped up, leaving local cafés, restaurants, and licensed venues operators with the tools, confidence, and community they need to build smarter, more sustainable businesses.
Funded through Council’s $1 million Business Boost initiative, the program – delivered by Crunch Hospo and The Coffee Commune in collaboration with The Hospitality Company – offered five tailored workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and access to the Crunch Hospo platform.
With an entry fee of just $95 – later reimbursed with a Moreton Money card to be spent locally – the program was designed to be accessible and immediately beneficial for small business owners.
Led by industry experts including James O’Connell (The Hospitality Company) and Phillip Di Bella (The Coffee Commune), the program focused on the business fundamentals most operators struggle with: cost control, customer engagement, staff culture, systemisation, and time management. Each venue left with not only a strategic roadmap but also plug-and-play tools and templates they could action straight away.
Through Crunch’s digital platform, participants continued their learning beyond the workshops. They had access to masterclasses, weekly Q&A coaching calls, and a supportive peer community. This blend of in-person and on-demand learning meant venues could implement changes in real time.
Across April to June 2025, participating businesses reported:
- Stronger understanding of profit margins, COGS, and wage percentages
- Systems and processes that reduced owner workload
- More confident leadership and better staff engagement
- A shift from survival mode to planning for sustainable growth
For Paul Wilkinson, owner of The Latin Shack, the program has been a turning point.
“Before the program, we were struggling with rising costs and declining customer numbers. The tools and coaching gave us clarity, confidence, and a plan. We have already reduced our cost of goods by 6%, introduced smarter menu design, and moved from loss-
making to break-even. We are now aiming for profitability in the next quarter,” he says.
Crunch, the sister company of Fine Food Australia, specialises in making the business side of hospitality simpler. By partnering with councils like Moreton Bay, Crunch connects local operators with practical education, expert coaching, and a community that understands their
challenges.
James O’Connell said the program represented Council’s commitment to supporting small business growth in the city.
“Our proven track record in the coffee industry, combined with our comprehensive training methodology, will provide participating businesses with the tools they need to thrive in today’s competitive market,” said Mr O’Connell.
“We fully engage with everything that shapes the frontline experience for owners, managers, employees, and the customer.”
City of Moreton Bay Mayor, Peter Flannery said the council was renowned as a foodie destination with countless fantastic hospitality venues.
“Master your Food Business is just one part of the $1 million City of Moreton Bay Business Boost initiative which is designed to support and grow the city’s small business community,” he said.
“Supporting our hospitality sector has countless flow on benefits, from adding to our great liveability, to providing even more reasons for visitors to come and enjoy the hospitality of Moreton Bay.
“Our $1 million budget commitment to support the local business community complements Council’s already generous business support initiatives and is a tangible way to help the many small businesses that are doing it tough, while also supporting ongoing employment
opportunities across the City.
“City of Moreton Bay is recognised as Queensland’s most small business friendly council. We know small business plays a pivotal role in our economy, so we’re committed to doing what we can to help,” said Mayor Flannery.
With the first round of Master Your Food Business complete, Crunch are exploring new opportunities to collaborate with councils across Australia to deliver programs that back local hospitality businesses.
Councils interested in partnering can learn more and get in touch at crunchhospo.com.au/councils.
