Branding: Restaurants, Bars, And Other Fine Places
A MAN WALKS INTO A BAR... It sounds like the start of a joke, but for me, it was the beginning of my career as a brand designer. One night in Munich, I visited a new restaurant and bar called Julep's for dinner. The owner later stopped by our table to ask what we thought of his establishment, which had just opened a few days earlier.
With a couple of margaritas in me, I gave him my honest opinion: while I loved the place, I thought the logo and menus looked amateurish. He laughed and challenged me: "Can you do better?"
I took him up on it and succeeded. The logo I designed for Julep's soon became iconic in Munich and beyond. As the restaurant expanded into a franchise across Europe, from Berlin to Milan, its brand gained recognition across the continent. This modest logo is one of my greatest success stories, helping turn a small restaurant into a multi-million-dollar business.
Joe Peña's Cantina y Bar Franchise. A popular Mexican restaurant chain in Europe that was created in 1987 and has grown substantially over the years. We were hired from its early beginnings until today to continually update their brand experience. The current version features AI generated illustrations around Mexican icons, holidays and popular events. The design language also reflects my love for Mexico and Mexican culture (as I'm writing this I'm in a hotel in Baja)
EXPERTISE: Brand development, logo design, packaging design
Journey Brand concept for a new category of hostel/workspace for global nomads.
Fleischmann's Steakhouse, Esslingen/Germany. A restaurant project developed hand in hand with the architectural team. We began with mood boards and worked simultaneously from there. The outcome is a stunning and highly elegant experience, from website visuals to the actual ambiance of the restaurant. Plus, they serve exceptional steaks! If you find yourself in the area, drop by and mention that Marc referred you.
EXPERTISE: Brand development, logo design, packaging design
(Below) A first draft. Let's see where this takes us
(Below) Fleischmann website
T-Shirt A quote by Tenessee Williams was used for their merchandise shirt: "If I got rid of my demons, I'd lose my angels." A toast to that.
Omnom Organics Organic Food Stores, Los Angeles We were approached by an investment group to assist in launching a new type of takeout restaurant specializing in fresh, organic ingredients. We met in Hollywood to discuss their ideas: organic ingredients, homemade soups, farm-to-table produce, and guaranteed delivery within 30 minutes to the nearby offices in downtown LA. They requested a straightforward and welcoming visual identity that would consistently represent their concept across their packaging and marketing materials.
The outcome was indeed a warm and inviting business identity, characterized by minimal use of plastic, ample paper wrappers, stickers, and bags. Eventually, their popularity soared to the extent that they opened a second location.
EXPERTISE: Brand development, logo design, packaging design
Unlock Your Vision with Us: Crafting Products and Launching Brands for Retail and Hospitality Entrepreneurs
At the intersection of creativity and business, we serve entrepreneurs in the retail and hospitality sectors by not only creating exceptional products but also by successfully launching compelling brands.
We understand that a vision is only as potent as the packaging that sells it, a truth we've witnessed time and again. Embarking on the journey of discovering what makes a restaurant or bar truly unique is always an exhilarating adventure.
If you possess an idea for a new project and seek guidance on how to bring it to market, don't hesitate to get in touch. Reach out to us at +1.213.446.7986, and let's explore the possibilities together.