A Study on the Key Competency Factors of Foodservice Consultants

This study aims to identify the core competencies of foodservice industry consultants to improve the management environment and support sustainable growth for small restaurant businesses that are struggling to adapt to changing business environments. To address these challenges, specialized consulting support tailored to the foodservice industry and the training of professional and systematic consultants areessential. This study defines the core competencies of foodservice industry consultants in four dimensions: National Competency Standards (NCS)basic job competency, knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The sub-elements of each dimension were identified through a review of domestic and international literature and prior research, resulting in a total of 154 sub-elements. These were refined through in-depth interviews and Delphi surveys, and this study identified a total of17 core competency elements. The keycompetencies include communication, problem analysis, diagnosis, solution, and trust-building behavior.