Restaurant & Hospitality
Serving you the best program for your business!
Built for How Hospitality Actually Operates
Restaurants and hospitality businesses run on thin margins, complex labor models, and constant regulatory pressure. From liquor liability and workers’ compensation to property values, payroll volatility, and employee benefits, risk is layered - and it evolves quickly as concepts grow.
AccessWave partners with restaurants, from groups to single-location operators, bars, hospitality brands, and food-driven portfolios to design insurance and benefits programs that align with how these businesses actually operate - not how a textbook says they should.
Industry-Informed Leadership
Our approach is grounded in firsthand operating experience.
AccessWave's Restaurant team is led by Keith Santangelo, COO/CFO, who spent more than 25 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry, including owning and operating two of his own restaurants in NYC and several years as COO/CFO of Serafina Restaurant Group. Having sat on the operator side of the table, Keith understands the real tradeoffs between cost, coverage, growth, and risk.
That experience shapes everything we do - from how programs are structured to how we advise clients day-to-day - with a focus on practicality, sustainability, and long-term value, and with an approach that brings the same spirit of care and hospitality to the guests and clients that we serve.
Risk & Insurance Strategy
We design and manage insurance programs tailored to the realities of hospitality operations, including:
- General liability, liquor liability, property, and umbrella coverage
- Workers’ compensation structured for tip credit, multi-state payroll, and accurate class coding
- Commercial auto and hired & non-owned auto for delivery, catering, and off-premise exposure
- EPLI designed for high-turnover, people-driven workforces
Benefits & Workforce Strategy
We help hospitality businesses attract and retain talent without eroding margins:
- Medical, dental, vision, and ancillary benefits designed for retention and cost control
- Compliant plan designs aligned with ACA, state mandates, and evolving labor regulations
- Executive and key-employee benefits for leadership and growth teams
A Broker That Operates Like a Partner
AccessWave operates as an extension of your team and true partner who cares - proactive, responsive, and engaged year-round, not just at renewal. We help you anticipate risk, adjust as your concept scales, and make informed decisions that support growth and solve pain points without unnecessary exposure.
Client Testimonials
"AccessWave took the time to truly understand our people, our growth plans, and what we needed from a benefits partners. They helped us secure the right health benefits coverage with the right carrier, while still finding great plans and personalized solutions for the business. The process was highly personal, incredibly responsive, and handled with real industry expertise. AccessWave delivered thoughtful solutions that worked for both our team and the company."
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Laura Jones
VP of Growth & Corporate Development at Blue Ridge Restaurant Group
"AccessWave took the time to truly understand our business and the complexity of our operations, not just our insurance policies. Their deep industry knowledge and hands-on approach led to more than $100,000 in annual premium savings - without sacrificing coverage. What impressed me most was how personal and responsive the experience was. They moved quickly, communicated clearly, and delivered real results. AccessWave has become a trusted partner to our finance team."
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Patrick Schmidt
Director of Finance at PMACS Hospitality Group
