The Chouchou agency: a new dynamic for the catering sector
The Chouchou agency, founded in 2024, is an innovative response to the growing challenges of the catering sector. By offering customised solutions and made-to-measure support, it has positioned itself as a key player for entrepreneurs and restaurateurs.
Tailor-made support for restaurateurs
Chouchou offers a wide range of services tailored to the needs of two main target groups:
- future restaurateurs planning to open a restaurant, bar or coffee shop
- restaurant owners already in business
For project owners
The Chouchou agency assists future restaurateurs, who are often novices or those undergoing retraining, at every stage of setting up their business. From concept to marketing strategy to day-to-day management, Chouchou provides comprehensive expertise to ensure the viability and success of new projects.
With a creative department at the heart of the agency, Chouchou works with its clients to develop unique and impactful concepts. The aim is to offer establishments that meet current consumer expectations while standing out with a strong and memorable identity. In addition, the agency implements strategies to maximise commercial impact right from the launch.
For established restaurateurs
The agency does not limit itself to newcomers: it also supports established restaurateurs looking to improve or reinvent their offering. In an environment where competition is fierce and customer expectations are constantly evolving, Chouchou offers solutions to address specific issues such as declining footfall, optimising costs or enhancing brand image.
Thanks to an in-depth analysis of establishments, the agency identifies areas for improvement and proposes appropriate strategies for increasing profitability, attracting new customers or strengthening the loyalty of existing customers.
A response to the social and economic challenges facing the restaurant industry
The catering sector is undergoing major change, with both economic and social challenges. As a result, Chouchou has expanded its services to include solutions designed to address current issues.
Innovation and differentiation in a saturated sector
With almost 30,000 restaurants opening every year in France, the sector is highly competitive. To stand out from the crowd, it is essential to offer consumers a unique and attractive product. Chouchou helps restaurant owners to innovate, whether by developing a new menu, introducing an innovative concept or reviewing management practices. With its expertise and ability to anticipate trends, the agency brings a fresh vision to establishments seeking to stand out from the crowd.
Training and mentoring to meet social challenges
The agency is also committed to training future professionals in the sector. Aware that the catering industry is first and foremost a people business, Chouchou has integrated a talent agency to meet the industry‘s societal challenges. Here, the aim is to respond to current issues such as recruitment, employee retention and the attractiveness of the profession.
Through conferences, mentoring programmes and awareness-raising initiatives, Chouchou is committed to inspiring and training the future players in the restaurant industry. It also helps to change behaviour from within by putting people at the heart of development strategies.
The story behind Chouchou: a project driven by the international experience of its founder
The Chouchou agency is the fruit of the rich and varied career of Clara Tournier, who graduated from Vatel Bordeaux in 2014. Her experience in the luxury hospitality and catering sector, particularly in prestigious establishments such as The Peninsula in Paris and Beverly Hills, has fuelled her desire to help entrepreneurs in the sector meet today’s challenges.
An international career in luxury hotels
“The training at Vatel Bordeaux is a solid foundation that offers a global overview of the hotel and restaurant sector. One of its main assets is its international outlook, with schools all over the world and a very powerful network of alumni. As well as the quality of the teaching, this international environment really enriches students’ experience.
I often think about my former teachers, and it’s not unusual for their teachings to come up in professional conversations and guide me in my decisions.”
After her Bachelor’s degree at Vatel Bordeaux, Clara pursued a Master’s degree at Vatel San Diego, before joining The Peninsula in Beverly Hills for her end-of-studies internship. She then joined the Corporate Management Training (CMT) programme at The Peninsula Paris.
Clara held a number of management positions before returning to The Peninsula Beverly Hills to manage their rooftop restaurant, The Roof Garden. After working in international environments and gaining solid experience in the luxury sector, she decided to return to France and launch her own agency.
The birth of Chouchou
In 2024, after several months of reflection, Clara Tournier decided to use her expertise and network to create the Chouchou agency. Her mission was to offer creative and operational services to help restaurateurs adapt to the demands of today’s market.
Thanks to her training at Vatel and her professional experience all over the world, Clara has been able to bring an international and innovative vision to Chouchou, making this agency a benchmark for those wishing to launch or revitalise their establishment.
An alumni’s advice on getting started
For Clara, the most important thing is to tell people about your project. This allows you to confront it with criticism (whether good or bad), opinions and feedback, so as to gradually make it more relevant and efficient. Of course, not everything can be taken on board, but certain questions will help you to understand that an approach or idea may not be the best. It’s also an opportunity to sell your project and practise your public speaking skills.
“Talk about your project around you, be curious, and above all, develop the ability to question yourself!”