Thinking about working with us?
Here's what bar and restaurant owners usually ask before they book a call. Pricing, process, and timeline, answered up front, so that first conversation can go straight to your menu.
Working With The Variant Co
Here's what to know before you book a call.
How much does it cost to bring The Variant Co in?
Pricing depends on scope: a single signature drink, a full menu build, or an ongoing partnership all carry different investments. Every engagement starts with a free conversation so we can scope it to your venue's actual volume and goals.
How long does a zero-proof menu build take?
Timeline depends on how many drinks we're developing and whether staff training is part of the engagement.
Do you only work with venues in California?
We are located in Claremont, California, however we do conduct business nationwide.
We already have a couple of mocktails on our menu. Can you still help?
Yes. Most clients start with something, not nothing. We audit what's already on the menu, find where it's underpriced or underselling, and build a real program around it instead of starting from zero.
Will you train our staff, or just hand us a menu?
Both, if you want it. A menu nobody can sell doesn't move. We build the drinks, and we train bartenders and servers to talk about them with the same confidence they'd use pitching a cocktail.
Do you work on one-off events or pop-ups, not just permanent menus?
Yes. We build zero-proof drink experiences for weddings, brand activations, and pop-up events, so every guest is taken care of whether they're drinking or not.
Is this just for bars and restaurants, or do you work with beverage brands too?
Both. We consult with hospitality venues on menus and staff training, and with non-alcoholic beverage brands on product development, flavor, and positioning from the recipe stage through launch.
Do you offer ongoing support after the menu launches, or is it a one-time project?
Both. Some clients want a menu built once and handed off, ready to run on its own. Others prefer ongoing support, whether that's a seasonal refresh to keep things current or a retainer for continued recipe development and staff training. We'll figure out what fits your venue on that first call, and build the engagement around it.
What's the actual process once we book a call
On that first call, we go over your project or menu goals and what you need. It's a two way conversation, since we're also confirming fit. From there, we send a proposal with clear pricing and a timeline before anything starts.