Being part of FCSI globally allows me to stay connected with high-level professionals in diverse contexts who face similar challenges to those we encounter in the Iberian Peninsula. That broader perspective enriches my own practice and equips us with tools to provide more effective solutions in our markets. But beyond the personal aspect, leading the Iberia group carries a responsibility: to build a clear professional framework for those of us working in foodservice consultancy, to establish standards, and to rigorously represent a profession that still needs visibility and recognition in our environment.
This is a much-needed initiative. For years, we’ve operated in a fragmented way, with little exchange between independent professionals and no shared space that connects us. FCSI Iberia is precisely that meeting point – a professional network that prioritizes knowledge, ethics, and collaboration over individual interest. Being part of that construction, from the beginning, is an opportunity we must embrace with determination.
The current foodservice landscape in Iberia is very diverse. We coexist with highly advanced operators and high-level projects, but also with a large part of the sector still making strategic decisions without prior analysis or without involving qualified technical profiles. That duality creates a real need: to have a network like FCSI that serves as a reference point for those seeking a rigorous, independent approach aligned with international standards.
FCSI’s contribution is technical as well as methodological. We’re not here to replace anyone, but to bring structure, to professionalize, to support transformation processes that – without proper knowledge – end up being costly or inefficient. We are needed because the sector requires clear reference points. And because there are operators who already understand that working with specialized consultants is not an expense, but an investment. In this context, FCSI’s role can and should be that of a useful, proactive, and thoughtful agent.
Defending the profession
The role of the consultant is still unknown to many in the sector – or misunderstood. Too often it’s confused with commercial profiles, ad hoc technical experts, or even suppliers offering advice based on their own interests. The independent consultant works from a position of neutrality, with a global vision of the project, and is focused on maximizing business viability from the early stages to day-to-day operations.
Our work ranges from strategic design to operational analysis. It’s not just about plans, flows, or equipment: it’s about profitability, customer experience, scalability, energy efficiency, and quality of service. This profession has a long road ahead, but only if it’s practiced with rigor. FCSI provides that framework for us. It allows clients to distinguish between a professional, reliable service and superficial consultancy. In that sense, FCSI defends our profession, adding structure and protection.
A united objective
The group of consultants currently part of FCSI Iberia is diverse – and that’s precisely one of our strengths. There are specialists in operations, design, training, cost analysis… all with solid track records and a clear professional outlook: to work independently, always prioritizing the value we bring to the client.
What unites us isn’t commercial interest, but a shared commitment to technical excellence and a way of practicing consultancy that focuses on results. We share a language, ethical principles, a way of understanding projects. That allows us to collaborate without competing, to share knowledge freely, and to build a network that functions as a collective – not just a sum of individual names. We’re building something that goes beyond personal ambition, and that’s the true value of the group.
FCSI Iberia: a serious partner
The main goal is for FCSI Iberia to be a relevant, recognized, and respected player in the foodservice ecosystem in Spain and Portugal. We want operators, manufacturers, vocational schools, and public institutions to see us as a serious partner, capable of contributing expertise, experience and real solutions.
In the short term, we’re focused on three priorities: raising the visibility of the group and its members, building a calendar of useful activities (such as professional gatherings and ongoing training), and continuing to bring in professionals who share our values. In the medium term, we want to position FCSI as a seal of quality: when a project involves a certified consultant, it should be synonymous with trust, methodology, and results. And in the long term, we want to help shape the future of the sector – through proposals, publications, and strategic partnerships. Foodservice in Iberia has lots of room for improvement, and we believe FCSI can be a powerful catalyst for that change.
The road ahead
We’re already working on strengthening ties with other European divisions. Attending trade fairs like HostMilano or Hostelco is a key first step to increase visibility for FCSI Iberia and to establish real synergies. But visibility isn’t our only goal – we’re also looking for technical collaboration, exchange of experiences, and the possibility of collaboration.
In Iberia we have a lot to contribute. We have a strong tourism and gastronomy sector with great capacity for operational innovation. Integrating into European dynamics allows us to showcase our work – but also to bring knowledge back with us: new technologies, analysis methodologies, sustainability or efficiency approaches that are already being applied in other markets. The opportunities are there, and our role is to activate them through a shared strategy – not improvisation.
Óscar Pastor FCSI is the founder of Oh My Business and the chair of FCSI Iberia
