Redefining Service

Crown Advisory Group is a firm consisting of high energy, creative professionals striving to provide uncompromised development services.  We are passionately focused on the niche industry profiles of restaurants, hospitality and entertainment.

Bringing a new concept to reality, expanding an existing brand or re-imaging a concept requires a vested team.  With nationwide resources we can tailor our services to your organization, functioning as the owner’s representative.  Our team of diverse professionals will define and then execute the development process delivering the end product in a seamless manner.  This process typically begins with the Client’s vision, passion and the desire for a positive return on investment.  The disciplines in which services may be required are:

• Site Selection & Due Diligence
• Business Plan Feasibility
• Investment Prospectus / Lending
• Architect / Engineering
• Theme / Art / Décor Design
• Interior Design
• Kitchen Design / Space Plan
• Foodservice Equipment / Furniture
• Branding / Marketing / Advertising
• Permitting / Compliance
• Contractor Selection & Management
• Pre-Opening & Operational Consultation

Our Team

Hutchinson J. Utt - CEO / Director

Hutch started his career in the restaurant industry as a construction laborer and assistant to all trades, while working with his father 33 years ago, in 1975. While working on this project, a quick serve seafood establishment, Hutch took a special interest in the different methods used in building these types of projects. He then acquired a master license in electrical and journeyman status in various trades to develop the skill sets for construction superintendent.

After working his way through various disciplines of the technical trades, Hutch studied civil engineering and worked for Shoney’s Inc. as a project supervisor prior to starting his own electrical – general contracting business in 1982 to specialize in restaurant construction. Hutch quickly caught the entrepreneur bug and had a strong desire to learn more about the development business aspects.

By 1987, at 26 years old, Hutch had formed several business endeavors to develop real estate, build restaurants, hotels, investing and owning ventures, primarily focused around the hospitality industry. Hutch was fortunate to establish relationships with many industry veterans from all facets to support his drive and ambitions to create and develop.

From 1990 through 1998 Hutch served as President and Chief Development Officer for Restaurant Development and Investment, Inc. (RDIC), an Ohio based firm that owned various national chain franchises such as Shoney’s, Arby’s and Schlotzsky’s Deli.

During his period at the helm of RDIC, Hutch was responsible for acquiring and re-imaging a Northeastern casual theme concept then designing a new prototype for new development. Hutch also established systems and set up the concept for expansion by creating the UFOC as well as concept design elements, operating systems, legal systems, development infrastructure, and securing funding as well as leadership for the financial management team.

After years of building projects, developing real estate, owning and operating franchised concepts, Hutch wanted to create his own products from menu inception through design, construction and operations. He created a pizza concept with lite Italian fare, and a mid to high end steak house concept with dark woods, high end spirits and cigars, in addition to a more casual Boston themed concept in the casual to upscale casual price point.

Since 1998, Hutch has focused on development services tailored towards the restaurant, hospitality and entertainment industry. He has continued to broaden his knowledge through industry seminars and continuing education courses as well as design, legal, and finance curricula and real world experiences.

Hutch participates in various advisory committees, design board, director roles, and consulting capacities for the restaurant industry. He is a member of the National Restaurant Association, MAECO and International Council of Shopping Centers.

Hutch formed the Crown Advisory Group to create a place and an atmosphere where talented associates could work and strive to perform for the restaurant entertainment business.  Hutch has a real understanding for the entire process as well as a strong passion for the industry.  He truly believes that if a project is going to succeed then all team members need to work together as vested partners.  Hutch also places a significant emphasis on his team understanding the soul and objectives of the project especially as it relates to vibe versus return on investment.

Trent Smith – Sr. Director of Development Services

Trent started his restaurant experience in 1975 as a line cook and worked in and out of restaurants as a waiter, head cook and assistant manager over the next 14 years while attending school and then starting his own business.

Trent graduated with honors from State Technical Institute in Memphis in 1982 with a degree in Building Construction and followed that with a degree in Architecture from Texas A&M University in 1988.

After graduation from Texas A&M, Trent moved to Austin Texas and, after working for one of the largest architectural firms in Austin, co-founded a custom software development company specializing in real estate and facilities management.

After a successful run in the technology industry that included customers such as Travelers Realty Investment Corp, IBM, Motorola, US Government-General Services Administration, InfraCom and Telkom South Africa as well as partnerships with IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, Skidmore, Owens & Merrill, Sybase and the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation, Trent turned his attention towards new start-up ventures and providing business consultation.

While in South Africa working with Telkom, Trent started Phoenix International, an international business services firm specializing in emerging opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa.  Ventures included several restaurant concepts, a national identification card program, virtual reality technology, business software development, real estate management and the proliferation of wireless telecommunications and electricity to impoverished areas.

Trent moved back to the States in 2000 and worked for Nextel Communications as well as T-Mobile USA managing the site acquisition, leasing, zoning, permitting and construction of hundreds of cell phone tower sites throughout Florida.

In 2005, Trent returned to Austin and was pleased to find an opportunity with Crown Advisory Group where he could utilize his education and 20 years of various business experience in the development of projects he is enthusiastic about and relate back to his first employment positions.

Bill McMahon - Sr. Director of Construction & Design

Bill received his degree in Construction Science and Engineering in Canada before joining Prime Restaurant Group as their Manager of Concept Design and Construction. During his tenure at Prime his focus was franchise development of Prime’s casual theme restaurant concepts in Canada and the US. PepsiCo purchased one of the concepts from Prime and relocated Bill to DallasTexas to focus on the US development plan. While servicing a national development program, Bill continued to source strategic nationwide vendors and general contractors to grow the concept at break-neck speed. After 3 years PepsiCo sold off their casual theme restaurants and Bill joined the Landry’s Development team in HoustonTexas. At Landry’s, Bill’s focus was the national construction of Joe’s Crab shack. After Bill’s tenure at Landry’s he focused on the Dallas Metroplex and the development of the Church’s Chicken concept for AFC. This included multiple unit construction, site selection and new prototypical design.

Bill then joined Metromedia restaurant group to pilot the national full-scale remodel program of the Bennigan’s concept. The program consisted of a complete re-imaging of the restaurants with minimal impact on the operation.  After two years the program was completed and Bill joined the Brinker team in the capacity of a facilities director managing over 100 Chili’s restaurants in the western US. While at Brinker he managed over 50 Chili’s remodels and set standards for a national PM program.

With a diverse background with many of the country’s large restaurant groups Bill joined the Crown Advisory Group in 2004 as Director of Construction and Design. Bill manages multiple projects from design, permitting, construction and punch out. He also continues to develop strategic partnerships throughout the country for our existing and future clients.

Jeffrey R. Weaver - Director of Restaurant Operations

Jeff began his restaurant career in 1987 with Boston Beanery Restaurants during his first year as a student at West Virginia University. It was during his college years that Jeff first developed his passion for the restaurant industry.  Jeff spent 10 years with the Boston Beanery concept and worked as a line cook, server, bartender, kitchen manager, general manager, and multi-unit director.  During these years Jeff opened 10 different units and began expanding his knowledge in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Here Jeff began cross utilizing his teaching skills as he directed operations for fast casual, casual, and fine dining.

In 1997 Jeff returned to his casual theme roots as an operator for TGIFriday’s in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Jeff was able to hone his kitchen skills as he quickly became the kitchen manager of a $5 million plus high volume kitchen.  As a member of 76^th Ave. and Associates, Jeff’s restaurant consistently ranked in the top 5 stores in the country in guest satisfaction.  During his 8 years with TGIFriday’s, Jeff also participated in the opening of two more units as training director and as an associate general manager.

While in Myrtle Beach, Jeff also began working extensively with point of sale (POS) software systems.  He gained extensive knowledge of Micros, Digital Dining, Positouch, and Aloha systems through new store installations, back office programming and troubleshooting service for over 50 clients.

In 2002 Jeff relocated to Austin, Texas where he was the General Manager for the Iron Cactus Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar.  He established systems that focused primarily on guest relations and hospitality.  The Iron Cactus has won numerous awards in Texas and has been named the sixth best tequila bar in the country.

In 2005 Jeff enhanced his growthin the restaurant and hospitality industry as a project engineer and director of purchasing for a multi-million dollar general contracting company specializingin restaurant construction.  Jeff supported project management teams in all functions of bidding and securing of new work.  He managed warranty calls on projects after Certificate of Occupancy, scheduled vendors and suppliers to meet project deadlines and maintained budgets of all GC provided materials and supplies.  From this position Jeff gained a thorough understanding of facilities maintenance, project development, estimating, bidding, material purchasing and general construction of restaurants.

Finally Jeff has joined Crown Advisory Group to share his knowledge of the industry.  Jeff is passionate about educating, directing, and working in all aspects of restaurant operations and training. With an outgoing and highly energetic personality, it is easy to recognize how Jeff’s focus on the basics of hospitality; “Great People, Great Food, and Great Service”, can help others share success in the industry.

Rey Abruzzi - Director of Construction Services

Joshua Pruitt - Project Design Manager

Michele Thelen - Design Coordinator

Michele Utt - Marketing Representative

Sharon Domeracki - Office Manager