Savvy IQ
Creating Ideas
Hospitality Solutions
Fulfilling Visions
Hospitality consultancy for hotels, restaurants, bars and QSR brands.
Hotels,
Restaurants,
Bars & QSR
- From concept creation to launch and long-term growth.
- Seasoned guidance on experience, operations and performance.
Meet the Team
Paul Sarlas
Founder / CEO
Paul Sarlas
Paul was born in Sydney, Australia and was exposed to the hospitality industry from a young age. He began his career in the family business, working in all aspects of the restaurant industry. He later took a post in a boutique hotel in Sydney to continue his studies in management.
Paul’s passion in F&B moved him from hotels to free-standing restaurants as he worked his way up to management positions at a very young age. With an eagerness to succeed, he opened his first café in the Sydney Suburb of Brookvale. He soon expanded into the second café in North Sydney.
Paul sold his cafes later in order to focus in the restaurant industry. Purchasing Milsons restaurant in Kirribilli, Sydney, at the young age of 27, Paul became one of the young restaurateurs of Sydney. This ‘One Hat’ fine dining restaurant continued its success with Paul at the helm. Later purchasing the sister restaurant, Jaspers of Hunters Hill, another ‘One Hat’ restaurant, Paul began to grow his company to create a mini restaurant empire. Successfully opening Essence restaurant in King Street Wharf Sydney, Paul continued to grow his restaurant company to 12 restaurants throughout Sydney.
Creating a strong following and a recipe for success, Paul founded Savvy IQ, advising fellow restaurateurs and hoteliers on his expertise and formula to success. His work expanded internationally, and later became Director Asia Pacific for Hilton Worldwide managing almost 300 F&B outlets in 17 countries. He then moved to Moscow as Director for Stepan Mikhalkov and as Director for Verchisky, Vanil and a number of other restaurants and cafes within the group.
With an international focus, Paul has been appointed as CEO with restaurant groups in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UK. Now Paul continues his consulting company, Savvy IQ Hospitality, and develops concepts in London and internationally.
Ausra Gervelyte
Senior Partner
Ausra Gervelyte
Ausra is a Senior Consultant at Savvy IQ, specialising in market research, concept development and hospitality strategy. She has worked on a diverse range of projects and F&B brands across the UK, Europe and the Middle East, supporting clients from independent restaurants and boutique hospitality businesses to luxury hotels and multi-site international brands.
Her expertise spans market analysis, feasibility studies, concept creation, food and beverage strategy, business planning and project coordination, helping clients develop commercially successful hospitality concepts from initial idea through to execution.
Working closely with owners, investors and project teams, Ausra combines strategic insight with a practical, detail-oriented approach to create memorable guest experiences and sustainable hospitality businesses.
Yahia Idris
Partner
Yahia Idris
Yahia Idris is a highly respected hospitality executive with extensive international experience leading luxury hotels, mixed-use developments and hospitality brands across the Middle East. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership positions with some of the world’s most recognised hospitality groups, combining strategic vision with operational excellence.
His previous roles include Partner at Mereha, Hospitality Advisor at Palazzo Versace Dubai, Chief Operating Officer at Rove Hotels within Emaar Hospitality Group, VP Hotel Manager at Atlantis The Palm Dubai, Deputy General Manager at The Monarch Dubai, Director at Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, and Resident Manager at Burj Al Arab with Jumeirah Group. Yahia’s expertise spans hospitality strategy, operational leadership, hotel development, pre-openings, asset optimisation and guest experience. Known for delivering commercial growth while maintaining exceptional service standards, he has successfully led complex hospitality operations and advised on landmark developments throughout the region.
Daniel Nunez
Partner
Daniel Nunez
Daniel graduated in navigation and power vessels at the University of Sevastopol. He started focusing on F&B after university by attaining a diploma in restaurant management in Moscow and qualifying in the general manager course at Ping Pong restaurants in 2013.
Daniel began his career in Ukraine. Moving to Moscow and working in well-renounced bars and restaurants, his career took him to Bahrain, UAE, Sao Paolo, Panama, Croatia, and Germany. His past projects include Khalila, Zeppelin Nightclub, Movie Nightclub, Bennigan’s, Ping Pong Restaurant.
Giuseppe Dewilde
Partner
Giuseppe Dewilde
Giuseppe is a senior hospitality executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience across luxury hotels, destination restaurants and private members’ clubs. Most recently, he served as Club Director at Annabel’s, part of The Birley Clubs, where he oversaw a £24m+ food and beverage operation and led a team of more than 300 hospitality professionals.
Throughout his career, Giuseppe has held senior leadership positions at prestigious establishments including Home House, Hotel Café Royal, Fortnum & Mason, Corinthia Hotel London and Le Pont de la Tour. His expertise spans operational leadership, pre-openings, refurbishments, concept development and hospitality strategy, with experience delivering projects across Europe and the Middle East.
Known for combining commercial performance with exceptional guest experiences, Giuseppe is passionate about developing high-performing teams and creating hospitality operations that deliver lasting success.
Giuseppe’s motto: “Never give up – everything we do is about our guests.”
Kostas Sillignakis
Managing Director EMEA
Kostas Sillignakis
Kostas graduated at the Business College of Athens in BSc Hospitality and Catering and at the Surrey University in MSc Leisure and Tourism Management. He later finished a MBA in Strategic Management and Business Development at Oxford Brookes.
Kostas has an extensive experience and successful track record in the hospitality industry, having worked in Europe, Russia, Africa and the Middle East. Notable projects involve Banana Tree Restaurants, Santoku, Kalila, Dikakeen, Café Meem and Dar Hamad.
Dider Nahum
Managing Director APAC
Didier Nahum
Didier has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. His passion for the hospitality led him to seek employment in the sector immediately after finishing school in Marseille.
Didier began his career by taking up several F&B management roles immediately after school, having the opportunity to work in London, Moscow, Sydney, and Montreal. Notable projects have included ECO, Café Imagination, Vanil, Mejico, Stamford Hotels, the Norman Hotel Tel Aviv and Ichibuns.
Kostas Katsis
Director of Operations
Kostas Katsis
Kostas Katsis is a results-driven Operations Director with over 18 years of experience leading multi-site hospitality operations across the UK and EMEA. Most recently Director of Operations at Chotto Matte (NZR Group), he oversaw four high-volume venues generating £18 million+ in annual revenue and led teams of over 300 people, driving new venue openings, cost efficiency programmes, and revenue-growth strategy across the region.
His career reflects a diverse path through some of London’s most respected hospitality brands, including Fenix, Soho House, Chotto Matte, and Jamie’s Italian, where he progressed from Floor Manager through to General Manager and ultimately regional director level. Along the way, he has led major venue launches, post-pandemic relaunches, and multi-site turnarounds, consistently improving profitability, guest experience, and team performance.
Kostas combines strong financial acumen with hands-on operational leadership, and is skilled in staff development, budgeting, new openings, and strategic planning.
Today, Kostas brings this breadth of multi-brand, multi-site experience to organizations looking to scale operations, open new sites, and build high-performing teams.
We transform ideas into successful hospitality brands and successful business models
- Concept Development
- Menu Creation & Development
- Bar/Beverage Development
- Pricing Strategy
- Interior Design
- Kitchen & Bar Design
We craft hospitality brands that stand out and stay relevant.
- Naming Strategy
- Brand Design
- Logo Design
- Marketing Assets
- Uniform Design
- Packaging & Development Design
We optimise business with tailored strategies for growth, efficiency, and guest experience.
- Culinary & Bar Assessments
- Operational Management
- Turnaround Strategies
- Key People Recruitment
- Business Assessments
- Marketing Strategy & Planning
We provide the research and financial clarity businesses need to grow with confidence.
- Demographic & Customer Understanding
- Market Studies
- Competition Analysis
- Business Plans
- FInancial Modelling
- Sales & Profit Strategies
We work with investors and operators looking to bring established hospitality brands into their region.
- Franchise & Licensed brand Sourcing
- Brand Scaling & Expansion Strategy
- Partner Identification and Vetting
- Site Sourcing & Feasibility Assessment
- Franchise & Licence Negotiation
- Development Agreement Strategies
We bridge people and technology, identifying gaps and create clear roadmaps for integration.
- Digital Strategy & Technology Assessment
- POS & Ordering Solutions
- Cost Control Systems
- Self Control & Digital Displays
- Robotics, AI & VR Technology
- Implementation & Adoption
We provide expert guidance to drive long-term success in the hospitality industry.
- Owner/Brand Representation
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Exit Strategies
- Asset Optimisation
- Operational Audits
- Brand Representation
We offer a broad range of solutions designed to help clients identify and capitalise on opportunities.
- Asset Management
- Project Development Services
- Hotel Owner Representation
- Brand Introduction
- Hotel Operator Selection & Negotiation
- Acquisitions Consulting
Current & Previous Clients
170 + F&B Projects
Trusted by operators worldwide, from restaurants hotels, cafes and franchise groups. From single sites to global rollouts
33 Years of Experience
Decades of hands-on leadership across the hospitality industry, blending strategy, operations and growth expertise at every level
45+ Concepts Developed
From idea to identity, creating standout hospitality brands across casual, premium and lifestyle sectors
Offices
At Savvy IQ, we’re hospitality consultants with a truly global reach.
With offices in London and Dubai, and satellite hubs across Athens, Zagreb, Miami, Sydney, Hong Kong, and Riyadh, we bring deep international expertise to every project.
Our worldwide presence means we deliver tailored solutions that connect locally, helping your hospitality venture succeed.
Ready to bring your vision to life?
Feel free to contact us via email or fill out our contact form to discuss the details for your upcoming event. We’re excited to work with you and turn your ideas into an exceptional experience!
