The Menu is the Blueprint for
Operational Excellence.
The Menu Focused Approach™ (MFA) is our proprietary Quality Management System (QMS) that turns the menu from a simple list of dishes into the central driver of your entire food and beverage operation.
Improvement
SOPs
Training
Reviews
Tools
Checklists
Dashboards
Templates
The Menu Focused Approach™
One System. Total consistency.
Start at the center.
The menu defines what you serve. Operations (kitchen, bar, service) execute it daily. The outer ring—SOPs, training, dashboards—keeps quality consistent over time.
One source, total alignment.
Systems Thinking is the Original Culinary Standard.
The Menu-Centric QMS isn’t a modern management theory—it is a 21st-century restoration of the principles that built the world’s most iconic luxury brands.
The Escoffier Standard
Auguste Escoffier realized over a century ago that a kitchen fails when it depends on a single personality. He created the Brigade de Cuisine not just as a hierarchy, but as a system to move intellectual property out of the chef's head and into standardized, documented manuals.
The Ritz Predictability
César Ritz proved that luxury is the result of a seamless, predictable system. We are returning the modern club to this foundational rigor, replacing the fragility of "personality-driven" kitchens with the stability of management science.
The Three Pillars of the MFA Framework
Consistency
The foundation of member trust.
We identify the “classic” dishes members expect and love, and design repeatable processes—checklists, SOPs, and guides—so your team can deliver the same experience consistently, no matter who is in the kitchen.
Storytelling
Connecting the experience to a sense of place.
We integrate seasonal ingredients and local narratives through structured processes, engaging both members and your team in a consistent brand story.
Innovation
Creativity that reinforces the brand.
New concepts are tested and documented in a structured way, allowing for chef-driven innovation without sacrificing operational control or profitability.

Rooted in the Islands. Designed for Hawaii.
In Hawaii, a system is a form of Malama (stewardship). By providing clear, documented standards, we remove the stress of "firefighting" and provide the structure needed for local talent to rise into leadership roles.
Respect for the Team
A stable "Operating System" protects your employees from the burnout of chaotic, undefined roles.
Respect for the Land
Our "Storytelling" pillar is built on precision. By engineering the menu for accuracy, we reduce waste and protect island resources through smarter procurement.

From Assessment to Implementation
Assess & Diagnose
We review your menus, kitchen operations, finances, and brand standards to identify what’s working, what’s not, and where the biggest opportunities are to improve member experience and profitability.
Design & Develop
Working with your leadership and culinary teams, we design a system that aligns your menu and operations with your club’s goals and brand—turning ideas into a clear, actionable plan.
Implement & Train
We bring the system to life with simple, repeatable processes, checklists, purchasing guides, and training tools. Your team is empowered, your General Manager regains control, and the operation delivers consistent, measurable results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Menu Focused Approach (MFA) – FAQs for Country Club Leadership
1. What is the Menu Focused Approach (MFA)?
2. Why should our country club implement MFA?
3. Who benefits most from MFA?
- Board of Directors / Club Presidents: Gain visibility into operations, measurable financial improvements, and confidence that the club is running efficiently and sustainably.
- General Managers: Receive tools and frameworks to monitor performance, make strategic decisions, and ensure alignment across all departments.
- F&B Directors / Head Chefs: Standardize operations, reduce waste, improve productivity, and implement high-performing teams in both kitchen and service areas.
- Managers and Supervisors: Streamlined workflows, clearer responsibilities, and accountability tools that reduce frustration and increase team engagement.
Cooks and Front-of-House - Staff: Clear procedures, consistent standards, and training frameworks that make daily operations more efficient and less stressful.
4. What results can we expect?
Within the first 6–12 months, clubs typically see measurable improvements across multiple areas:
5. How does MFA integrate with our existing club operations?
MFA seamlessly integrates with your current organizational structure by following a proven four-step process:
This approach transforms ad hoc decision-making into structured, system-driven operations, giving leadership the tools, metrics, and accountability needed to make informed strategic decisions and ensure long-term success.
6. Does MFA impact the entire club or just the kitchen?
MFA impacts the entire F&B operation—from back-of-house to front-of-house to financial reporting. It creates a metric-driven system that allows leadership to track all activities and strategic changes in the menu, ensuring every team and process is aligned with the club’s objectives, protecting revenue, enhancing the member experience, and strengthening the club’s reputation.
7. Is MFA scalable and resource-intensive?
MFA requires an upfront investment of time to assess current operations, design a system tailored to your club, and implement it with leadership. However, it is not resource-intensive long-term—it integrates with your existing team and workflows, creating structured, replicable processes that save time, reduce waste, and improve performance across departments. The philosophy is scalable and can be applied beyond food & beverage to golf, and maintenance, delivering measurable results without ongoing strain on resources.
8. How do we get started with MFA?
Lao Group begins with a strategic assessment of your club’s operations, financials, and leadership structure. From there, we create a customized implementation plan to stabilize operations, improve profitability, and deliver a consistent, elevated member experience. Step-by-step frameworks, training, and accountability tools ensure a seamless integration into daily operations.
Stop Managing Chaos. Start Building Your System.
With the Menu-Focused Approach (MFA), chaos ends and performance soars. Give your General Manager control, simplify operations, align your board, management, and team, and deliver consistent, world-class member experiences. Streamlined menu-driven systems reduce waste, optimize staffing, and increase efficiency—while creating space for innovation and growth.
MFA isn’t just a system—it’s a strategic investment that strengthens your brand, your team, and your bottom line.