Career

Twenty-eight years, one industry.

From a first F&B floor in 2001 to the GM's office and back. Scroll through twelve roles across South Africa, the Maldives, and Europe. Gaps between titles are confidential advisory engagements.

  1. Present

    Full-time Consulting

    Francois Briel Hospitality Consulting · Independent · Cape Town, South Africa

    Jun 2026 to Present · Current

    Cape Town · Remote & on-site

    • Advising hotel owners, operators, and asset managers on hospitality strategy, openings, and turnaround.
    • Executive recruitment for senior hospitality roles at an 8% placement fee.
  2. 1 yr 7 mos

    Group Director of Hospitality

    The Homestead · Full-time · 4 yrs 8 mos at the group

    Nov 2024 to Jun 2026 · 1 yr 7 mos

    South Africa · On-site

    • Promoted through three roles inside the group, from F&B Manager to Group Director.
    • Hospitality strategy, brand standards, and commercial performance across the portfolio.

    Earlier roles in the group

    • 02

      Group Director of Food & Beverage

      Jul 2024 to Nov 2024 · 5 mos · South Africa

    • 03

      Food and Beverage Manager

      Oct 2021 to Jul 2024 · 2 yrs 10 mos · Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal

  3. 11 months

    Consulting · under NDA

    Nov 2020 to Oct 2021 · 11 mos

    Confidential advisory work for hotel ownership during the post-lockdown recovery.

  4. Returned to operations

    Food and Beverage Manager

    Radisson Blu · Full-time

    Sep 2019 to Nov 2020 · 1 yr 3 mos

    • Operational F&B leadership through a period of unprecedented disruption.
    • Cost discipline and team retention under reduced occupancy.
  5. Two years in the Maldives

    Director of Food & Beverage

    Velassaru Maldives · Full-time

    Jul 2017 to Sep 2019 · 2 yrs 3 mos

    Maldives

    • F&B direction across multiple outlets at a 5★ private-island resort.
    • International team leadership, menu development, and guest experience standards.
  6. 6 months

    Consulting · under NDA

    Mar 2017 to Sep 2017 · 6 mos

    Independent F&B consulting for hotel and restaurant clients.

  7. First general manager seat

    General Manager

    TRUTH. Coffee Roasting · Full-time

    Sep 2015 to Mar 2017 · 1 yr 7 mos

    Cape Town, Western Cape

    • Led one of Cape Town's most internationally recognised coffee brands.
    • Operations, retail, roastery, and brand stewardship.
  8. 6 months

    Consulting · under NDA

    Mar 2015 to Sep 2015 · 6 mos

    Confidential interim work between resort and city engagements.

  9. Two years at Zimbali

    Director of Food & Beverage

    Fairmont Zimbali Lodge and Resort · Full-time

    Mar 2013 to Mar 2015 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

    • F&B direction across lodge and resort outlets within a five-star international brand.
    • Banqueting, restaurants, bars, and in-room dining under one P&L.
  10. Three years in Joburg

    General Manager

    Lekgotla Restaurant · Full-time

    Mar 2010 to Feb 2013 · 3 yrs

    Johannesburg, Gauteng

    • Whole-business leadership of a destination restaurant in central Johannesburg.
    • Concept stewardship, financial performance, and team development.
  11. Almost five years at Southern Sun

    Food and Beverage Manager

    Southern Sun Hotels · Full-time

    Mar 2005 to Nov 2009 · 4 yrs 9 mos

    South Africa

    • Multi-property F&B operations across one of South Africa's largest hotel groups.
    • Banqueting volume, restaurant performance, and cost control at scale.
  12. One year at The Vineyard

    Restaurant Manager

    The Vineyard Hotel · Full-time

    Mar 2004 to Mar 2005 · 1 yr 1 mo

    Cape Town, Western Cape

    • Restaurant floor leadership at a long-established Cape Town property.
  13. Where it started

    Assistant Food & Beverage Manager

    Sun International · Full-time

    May 2001 to Mar 2004 · 2 yrs 11 mos

    Cape Town, Western Cape

    • First management role inside a major South African hotel group.
    • Grounding in operations, service standards, and the realities of the F&B floor.

Today

The next chapter is independent.

Francois Briel Hospitality Consulting works with hotel owners, operators, asset managers and anyone in the hospitality business who want a consultant who has done the job.