Restaurant Consultants, Inc. is a full-service consulting firm that can help you to open your restaurant as smoothly as possible. We have grown over the past 39 years to help our clients to handle issues including restaurant development, kitchen and food service design, permit and license acquisition as well as construction management. Through years of on-the-job experience at all levels, we have become specialists in solving our clients’ most difficult problems. Through diversity and expertise, we provide our clients with a clear perspective of their operations, enabling them to avoid the stumbling blocks that prevent success. Our focus is to be your advocate and assist you with the roadblocks and challenges that can arise.
President
Joe Spinelli has worked in the restaurant industry for over 50 years. After relocating from Pittsburgh, PA with a degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Architecture, Spinelli opened his own multi-faceted business that included architectural design/planning, sales, and consulting. After becoming a licensed General Contractor, he expanded his business creating a custom millwork company that manufactured bar and restaurant interiors, an electrical contract service company specializing in restaurants and commercial businesses, and a refrigeration sales/service company. After 15 years in the restaurant-related business, Spinelli broadened his knowledge at a custom stainless steel manufacturing company that manufactured hoods, ventilation systems and custom foodservice equipment in Washington, D.C. He served as Vice President responsible for sales, marketing, design, and management of corporation assets, accounting, and NSF certification.
No stranger to the operation side of the equation, as a consultant and stockholder to a founder/franchisor, he was responsible for the development of a steak delivery chain in the Maryland, Washington, and Virginia area. He also owned and operated several units in the State of Maryland, as an area developer for seven counties. He has been engaged in various restaurant operations throughout his career.
As President and CEO of Restaurant Consultants, Inc., Spinelli renders a broad scale of services to clients in the restaurant industry and related businesses. Restaurant Consultants, Inc, -- an all-inclusive consulting business - provides expertise in food service consulting, architectural plans and designs, cost analysis, construction management, lease negotiations, site development and evaluation, business evaluation, permit processing, liquor licensing, and feasibility studies. Spinelli has completed over 9000 restaurant-related projects.
Additionally, Spinelli was a Principal Owner and Vice President of Restaurant Brokers & Developers, Inc for 28 years. Restaurant Brokers & Developers is a full-service boutique real estate broker and business broker specializing in restaurant leasing, sales, tenant representation, site evaluation, business evaluation and franchise sales. RBD services the Mid-Atlantic area including Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. markets.
Spinelli is a Partner at FranPoint Partners located in Annapolis, Maryland- A franchise development and outsourcing company that works exclusively in the restaurant industry. FranPoint Partners helps emerging restaurant franchisors reach the critical 100-unit milestone for mid level franchise systems, new development concepts, and independent restaurants that want to start expanding their company with a franchise program. Spinelli assists in all aspects of franchising, from Concept Development, Sales, Marketing, Real Estate, Operations, and Construction Management.
Spinelli has owned and developed from the ground up, several restaurant concepts listed below. He has opened and set up all of the operations, including every aspect of the restaurant facility.
Associate Partner
Alan opened his own architecture firm in 1974, after working as an associate with large general practice A&E firms in Ohio and Maryland. His practice grew into a 6-architect office and soon began working with corporate and institutional clients centered around the hospitality industry and practiced throughout the East coast and Midwest in as many as 18 states. Over the course of his career, Alan designed over 2,000 apartments and condominium units, more than 600 retail and commercial buildings, and 50 college and university, institutional and industrial buildings.
He's been both principal architect and project manager for successful mixed-use design-build contracts for industry-leading contractor/developer teams for commercial and government work exceeding $60 million. Noteworthy projects include The Municipal Center at Hyattsville Maryland, six dormitories at regional universities and ten building complexes for the Motor Vehicle Administration across the state of Maryland. In addition to corporate clients, he's been consultant to government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels and has served the greater metropolitan Washington, DC area through community service projects.
Looking for larger challenges, in 2001 Alan was asked to join The Heiserman Group. As Director of Development for this mid-sized architectural firm his responsibilities centered on project development and client relations. His work included shopping center redevelopments in metro DC and Virginia, Starbucks Coffee Company infill projects throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions, retail projects at BWI airport and directing the in-house design efforts for renovations at student union dining and kitchen facilities for Tulane University and the University of South Carolina.
Alan was then recruited in 2006 to join a developer as President of Archon Associates, an architecture firm which is a wholly owned subsidiary of First Centrum, a senior-housing development corporation. He directed an in-house architectural staff and was in managing control of several outside architectural firms commissioned to prepare design and construction documents.
Partnering with RCI since 2010 as a Consulting Architect, Alan is providing regional and national hospitality clients in DC, MD and VA with architectural, conceptual design, construction contract administration and facilities consulting services.
Vice President
A graduate of the University of Maryland College Park, Gliptis has worked in the hospitality industry as a restaurant employee, marketing consultant and special events director including grand opening and promotional events.
Previously she served as the Vice President of Marketing & Special Events for the Restaurant Association of Maryland in Columbia, Maryland. She was recognized by the Maryland Tourism Organization as the 2005 New Tourism Professional of the Year for her work with the collaborative event "The Taste of Maryland Legislative Reception" and partnership with the Maryland Association of Destination Marketing Organizations (MADMO). Recently she worked as the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Wicomico County Recreation, Parks & Tourism. She currently serves on the Maryland Board of Maryland Life Magazine. Mrs. Gliptis is also the owner of Invigorate Marketing- a marketing consulting firm.
Design Director
Chris Briscoe is a specialist in the design, planning, procurement and construction of retail and restaurant dining facilities. With over 15 years of experience working with both branded and unbranded concepts Chris has proven to be true professional with the knowledge, integrity and a desire to provide his clients with quality service. Chris began his work under the careful tutelage of the late Allen Greenberg of Hospitality Services, Inc. (HSI.) During the 5 years that Chris was with HSI, he learned the importance of having a well-designed and detailed restaurant. New to the industry, Chris caught on quickly and was soon providing foodservice details, rough-in plans and developing specifications for colleges, universities, airports and travel plazas. One of Chris' standout accomplishments with HSI, was the project management of the foodservice facility at Hershey Park. He developed the documents for this project and coordinated every detail with the architects, interior designers and ultimately managed the final construction. There has since been minor changes done to the facility, however, this food court remains primarily as it was designed over 10 years ago.
In 2000, Chris was recruited by HMS Host to further oversee the development of facilities in airports and travel plazas. This position allowed the opportunity to not only design facilities but to manage the A&E teams and contractors through to the completion of build out. During his 7 years at HMS, Chris gained a great deal of recognition from branded partners such as Starbucks, BK and Brinker (Chili's). Chris acted as mediator, providing the brand standards and adapting them to the airport venue. In addition to developing branded concepts, Chris was instrumental in designing and project managing the first Outback Steakhouse in the Orlando Airport. Chris thoroughly understood what was needed to take the project from conception through development - managing design, budgets, procurement and timelines.
Eventually Chris decided to follow his passion, and in 2008 launched his own company, Culinary Conceptions. Culinary Conceptions is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) foodservice design firm that has the vision of being the "all-in-one stop" for design services for restaurants and retail facilities. Chris has sustained his valuable relationships with architects, engineers, and interior designers thereby developing a consortium of professionals instrumental in bringing a project through to completion. Culinary Conceptions has provided budgets, schematic DWGs, renderings and construction documents for a number of airport and college campus concessionaires, as well as individually owned restaurant owners. Restaurant Consultants, Inc. is proud to have Chris Briscoe on board our team as Design Director.
Project Manager
Originally from Philadelphia, Megan Krizovensky brings a unique blend of customer-focused care, operational management, and creative problem-solving to the permitting industry. With a background in nonprofit organization management, billing systems, and grant writing, Megan approaches every project with a clear eye for both detail and the bigger picture—ensuring that clients feel supported while their projects move forward efficiently.
Megan’s customer service skills shine in complex permitting environments, where communication, follow-through, and adaptability are key. She understands that behind every permit is a person’s investment, vision, and timeline, and she prides herself on making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for clients and stakeholders alike.
Outside of the technical work, Megan enjoys building processes that last, whether it’s creating organized billing systems or crafting grant proposals that help organizations grow. Her passion for helping others and her love for her hometown roots continue to guide her approach in every interaction.
Project Manager
Tara Boyer brings a bright, can-do energy to the Restaurant Consultants, Inc. team. After graduating as a medical assistant in Baltimore in 2017, she spent several years delivering exceptional care and building strong, trusting relationships with patients. Her ability to listen, anticipate needs, and provide steady support translates seamlessly into our client work, helping projects move forward with clarity and confidence. Tara is organized, quick, and responsive, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks and that every client feels heard and supported throughout the process. Her attention to detail and commitment to delivering prompt, thoughtful service make her an invaluable part of our team.
Tara loves spending time with her family and her beagle, Nova, and she brings the same warmth she shares at home into her work each day. Whether it’s keeping projects on track or helping clients navigate the complexities of restaurant projects with a reassuring presence, Tara is dedicated to making sure our clients feel cared for from start to finish.
Project Manager
Michelle has been with Restaurant Consultants, Inc. for over 7 years. Having over 15 years of accounting, office management and customer service experience, and receiving the 2012 award of excellence for contributing to outstanding service in the automotive industry. Michelle has a degree in art & design and is currently working towards her master's degree in photography. Michelle has since opened her own side business in 2019 as a professional dog photographer. On top of photographing dogs, Michelle also teaches adults and children her theory and vision on how to photograph dogs in motion. Michelle has been featured in the media by: Nikon USA, Orvis Magazine, The Bay Times, NY Post, Daily Mail, TogTalk Magazine, and so much more.
Her helpful, kind, motivative, eye for detail, has also brought her the honors from other professional photographers in the industry, the recognition and title as "World's Best Photographer & Artist of 2022". Along with being the Nation's top motion photographer in 2021 and still holding the title.
Restaurant Consultants, Inc. is pleased to have been or currently hold active memberships and partnerships with the following groups: