Erica Escalante
cafe and bakery consultant
*real* help for real cafe owners
How can I help?
I’m not just a consultant — I’m a cafe operator at heart. For nearly a decade, I owned and operated my own successful cafes and bakery. Since then, I’ve led teams as a Director of Operations and Head of Retail for well-known coffee companies. Now, I work directly with small business owners across the country to bring strategy, structure, clarity, and PROFIT into their operations.
I know this work because I’ve lived it. I’ve been the owner buried in receipts at midnight, the manager totally frustrated that the team won’t follow the cleaning list I made, the operator holding the whole system together. My approach is holistic, grounded in financial success, and completely custom to your brand and company priorities — because no two cafes are the same.
Whether you’re struggling to price your menu, train your team, or just get your head above water, I’m here to help you run a smarter, more profitable business — and actually feel inspired again.
Raising Cafe Profits: identify what’s draining your margins and implement fixes that actually increase your bottom line
Company Culture & Leadership: develop strong teams that do what need to be done, empower & educate managers, and create workplaces people actually grow in
Operational Structure & Organization: create smooth systems, clear roles, and smart workflows
Menu Pricing, Strategy & Design: get your menu working for you - with strategic pricing, layout, and design that boosts sales
Change Leadership & Execution: Need big changes? I don’t just make the plan - I help you carry it out, step by step. You don’t have to do all of this alone.
Launching a new concept? I’ll help you lay the right foundation - with projections, menu planning, POS setup, build out recommendations, and smart systems that set you up for long-term success.
Register Optimization: Make your POS system work for you. I restructure your backend so your sales data is clean, your team moves faster, and your reporting finally makes sense
How I work…
What does a consultant do anyways?
Every cafe is unique, but profitability isn’t a mystery — there are real methods that work, and I’ve used them again and again. The magic happens when we apply those methods to your specific vision, brand, and goals. Whether you're in survival mode or scaling fast, or working on a completely new concept, we’ll find the right moves for your business, together.
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One-on-one sessions for clarity and direction
Need to talk it out with someone who’s been there? I offer sessions where we dig into your challenges, untangle the mess, and create solid game plans that will empower you as the leader.
Think of it as having a Director of Ops in your back pocket. -
The full deep dive for cafes that are growing fast or barely staying afloat.
Whether your business is booming or breaking, this audit is designed to give you the clarity and structure you need to move forward. I take a comprehensive look at your operations, financials, team structure, menu, training systems, and more — identifying where you're thriving, where you're losing money, and what to prioritize next.
For growing businesses, this audit helps you build a strong foundation and avoid costly mistakes as you scale. For struggling cafes, it’s a rescue mission — a chance to reset, refocus, and take control of your business again.
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When it’s time to make real moves — I get it done.
You’ve got a big initiative, a messy situation, or a long-overdue task that keeps falling through the cracks. Whether it's pricing out your entire menu, building training programs, launching new services, or cleaning up your operations — I lead the change, manage the process, and deliver the results.
This is perfect for owners who know what needs to happen but don’t have the time, systems, or bandwidth to do it themselves.
You bring the vision. I’ll bring the strategy, structure, and follow-through.
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In-person or virtual teaching for you or your team
I teach hands-on, practical workshops on cafe operations, business fundamentals, leadership, and more. I make the big stuff feel accessible, actionable, and dare I say, fun? -
Let’s create something powerful together
Whether it’s speaking at your event, writing for your platform, or co-creating content that brings real value to the industry — I love collaborating with brands and people who care about this work as much as I do.
About Me
I started in coffee as a teenager, slinging lattes and frappuccinos behind the bar. By 21, I had opened my first cafe and bakery in Portland, Oregon — and over the next decade, I built it into a thriving business with two locations, a full bakery and food program, wholesale accounts, and a commissary kitchen.
I’ve worn every hat in this industry — barista, baker, owner, ops director — and I know how hard this job really is. That’s why I don’t just care about your profit margins. I care about your quality of life, your team, and creating a business that actually works for you.
This work is personal for me. I’m not here to judge — I’m here to roll up my sleeves and help you make it better.
“She really cares about her clients and completely worth the money spent x10…”
Laila Ghambari
Co-Owner, Guilder Cafe
“Erica was instrumental in the management of daily operations… I endorse [her] 100%…”
Marcus Young
Executive Vice President of Coffee, goodboybob
