Founded in New York. Built in Charlotte.

More Than a Name.

Levar Hage — Founder, Apartment5a

Apartment5a is more than a name. It represents where I come from, what I have built, and where this is going.

I spent 20 years working in restaurants — from dishwasher to General Manager. I know what it takes to run a floor, manage a team, and keep guests coming back. I also know what it looks like when a great restaurant has no visual presence, no consistent content, and no one in their corner telling their story the right way.

Most restaurants pay an agency that hires a freelancer who has never worked a shift. That freelancer shoots your food, sends the files to the agency, and the agency sends you a bill. You never meet the person behind the lens and the content never quite feels like yours.

I started Apartment5a to change that. I work directly with you. I understand your business from the inside. And the work we produce together actually reflects who you are.

Behind every engagement is a research and strategy process built on data — competitive analysis, content performance trends, and market insight — so every decision we make for your brand is informed, not guesswork.

Founded in New York. Built in Charlotte.
20+ years restaurant and hospitality operations
USAF Veteran
Professional photographer and videographer
M.S. Hospitality candidate, East Carolina University
Serving independent restaurants across the Charlotte metro area

Start the Conversation

20+

Yrs Hospitality

USAF

Veteran

How We Stay Sharp

Strategy Backed by Data.
Executed by Someone Who Knows the Industry.

We do not post and pray.

Every Apartment5a engagement is powered by a research and intelligence process that runs before we ever pick up a camera. We analyze your competitive landscape, track what content performs for restaurants in your category and market, identify what your competitors are missing, and build a content strategy around real insight, not assumptions.

This means every shoot has a purpose. Every post has a reason. And every strategy session is backed by data, not guesswork.

You get the result. A stronger brand, better content, and a partner who always knows what move to make next.

A Note on How We Work

Apartment5a uses AI-powered tools to sharpen the research and strategy side of the work — analyzing market trends, tracking content performance, and identifying opportunities faster than any manual process could. It helps us move smarter and stay ahead of what is happening in your category.

The creative decisions, the relationships, the camera work, and the strategy conversations are always led by me. AI is part of the workflow. It is not running the show.

Market Analysis

We research your competitive landscape before we build your strategy so you are always positioned ahead of the room.

Performance Tracking

We monitor what content works for your audience and adjust in real time so your brand keeps growing month over month.

Informed Strategy

Every recommendation we make is backed by data from your market, your category, and your audience, not gut feeling.

How We Work Together

Every Engagement Starts
With a Conversation.

Independent restaurants at every stage need something different. Pick your floor and find the right fit.

Ground Level

Strategy and Consulting Only

Where every great brand starts. Get the plan right before you build. Pure strategic guidance, no photography or video production.

Ground Level

The Lobby

$400

One Time — No Ongoing Commitment

For the owner who wants to get the fundamentals right before investing in anything else.

Google Business Profile audit and optimization. Website copy review and recommendations. Postcard strategy and feedback. Local business distribution guide. Month one success report. Delivered in 7 to 10 working hours.

Ground Level — Most Popular
The Hallway
$300
Per Month — 3 Month Commitment
Month to month: $350 per month
For the owner who wants ongoing guidance without committing to full production.
Monthly strategy call. Google Business Profile ongoing updates. Website performance review. Monthly reporting and insights. Quarterly growth planning session.

Ground Level

The Mailroom

$500

Per Month — Retainer

Month to month: $575 per month

For the restaurant ready for deeper strategic guidance and active account management.

Weekly strategy touchpoints. Google Business Profile active management. Google Ads education and budget planning only, not full campaign management. Active monitoring and guidance. Deeper monthly analytics review. Brand positioning quarterly review.

3rd Floor

Social Media Management Only

Your brand is active and showing up consistently. Full account management using your existing content. No photography production at this level.

3rd Floor

The Buzzer

$600

Per Month — Retainer

Month to month: $700 per month

For the restaurant that needs a consistent presence without the time to manage it.

Instagram and Facebook management. 4 to 6 posts per week using existing content. Caption writing and hashtag strategy. Story management and daily touchpoints. Comment engagement. Monthly performance report.

3rd Floor — Recommended
The Common Room
$1,000
Per Month — Retainer
Month to month: $1,150 per month
For the restaurant ready to build real community and brand momentum online.
Everything in The Buzzer. Full content calendar planning. Weekly theme and campaign strategy. Event and promotion content. Community management and growth. Influencer outreach. Bi-weekly strategy calls.

3rd Floor

The Rooftop

$1,500

Per Month — Retainer

Month to month: $1,750 per month

For the restaurant competing across multiple platforms with a full content strategy.

Everything in The Common Room. TikTok strategy and management. Cross-platform campaign coordination. Monthly deep dive analytics. Weekly strategy calls. Campaign pushes and seasonal content.

5th Floor

Photography and Video Production

Elevated content that stops the scroll and builds your visual identity. Full content creation with professional photography, video, editing, and strategy. Priced at our professional rate of $400 per production hour.

5th Floor

Ground Floor

$1,600

Per Month — Retainer

Month to month: $1,900 per month

For the restaurant that needs fresh, professional content every month without the full production commitment.

4 hours of professional shooting per month. 20 to 30 polished edited images. 2 reels per month. Google Business Profile photo updates. Monthly performance report. Content posted and ready to use.

5th Floor — Most Popular
In Progress
$2,500
Per Month — Retainer
Month to month: $2,900 per month
For the restaurant with momentum that wants to build real visual equity month over month.
8 hours of shooting per month across two sessions. 40 to 50 edited images. 4 reels per month. Caption writing and content calendar. Weekly theme and traffic-focused strategy. Brand consulting included. Two strategy sessions per month.

5th Floor

Built to Last

$4,000

Per Month — Retainer

Month to month: $4,600 per month

For the operator who wants a full production and strategy partner with priority access and maximum output.

12 hours of shooting across multiple sessions. 100 plus edited images per month. Weekly reels and video content. Full brand consulting included. Guest experience and menu positioning. Monthly strategy call. Priority scheduling and first right of refusal on the calendar.

8th Floor

Social Media with Consulting

Strategy and execution working together. Full social media management combined with ongoing consulting, without photography production.

8th Floor

The Studio

$800

Per Month — Retainer

Month to month: $925 per month

For the owner who wants their social handled and their Google presence actively managed.

Instagram and Facebook management. 4 to 6 posts per week. Monthly strategy call and Google optimization. Story management and engagement. Monthly report.

8th Floor — Recommended
The Loft
$1,200
Per Month — Retainer
Month to month: $1,380 per month
For the restaurant ready to combine active social management with strategic consulting in one package.
Full Instagram and Facebook management. Content calendar and weekly theme planning. Event and campaign promotion. Google Ads education and budget planning only. Bi-weekly strategy calls. Community management and growth. Monthly deep dive report.

8th Floor

The Terrace

$1,800

Per Month — Retainer

Month to month: $2,070 per month

For the multi-platform operator who wants full social management and brand strategy under one roof.

Everything in The Loft. TikTok strategy and management. Influencer coordination and outreach. Campaign strategy and seasonal pushes. Quarterly brand positioning review. Cross-location strategy if applicable. Weekly strategy calls.

One Time Projects

No Commitment Required

Single engagements for restaurants that need something specific right now. No contracts. No monthly fees. Just the work.

Production Day Full

$3,200

8 hours on location. 100 plus edited images. Full restaurant coverage including food, team, space, ambiance, and events.

Production Day Half

$1,600

4 hours on location. 60 edited images across multiple setups. Food, atmosphere, and team in a single visit.

Quick Shoot

$800

2 hours on location. 30 edited images. One subject or one area of your restaurant. Best for a quick content refresh or single menu feature.

Brand and Strategy Audit

$400

One time setup covering Google, website, postcard strategy, local business distribution guide, and a month one success report.

Square Website Build

From $600

One page site with strategic copy, call to action, and online ordering integration. Built to convert and ready to launch.

Menu Design

From $150

Print-ready delivery or table menus with QR code integration. Clean, on-brand, and built for your concept.

Don't See Exactly What You Need?

Every restaurant is different. If none of these packages fit where you are right now, reach out and we will build something around your specific situation. No pressure. Just a real conversation.

Let's Talk Custom

Most clients start with a Production Day to see the work firsthand. Then they stay for the partnership.
Unused shoot hours do not roll over month to month. All shoots must be scheduled a minimum of 72 hours in advance. Hours beyond your monthly tier are billed at $400 per hour. Custom scopes available, contact us directly.

Add Ons

Build Your Own Stack

Layer any of these onto your existing package or use them as standalone additions.

Google Ads Management

$150 / month

Ad spend billed separately to client. We manage targeting and budget guidance. Education and oversight only, not full campaign management.

Extra Shoot Hour

$400 / hour

Additional production hours beyond your monthly tier. Billed at our standard rate.

Rush Delivery

$200 flat

Edited content delivered within 48 hours of shoot. Available on request, subject to schedule.

Extra Reel Production

$150 / reel

Additional reels beyond your package allotment. Shot and edited to your brand standards.

Review Response Management

$100 / month

Professional, on-brand responses to Google and Yelp reviews. Handled within 24 hours of posting.

QR Review Card Design

$75

Custom branded table cards and door signage designed to drive Google reviews from in-house guests.

Postcard Design and Copy

From $150

Print-ready design with strategic copy and a local distribution strategy built around your market.

Email Newsletter

$150 / issue

Full design and copy for campaigns and announcements. Ready to send through your existing platform.

Pricing starts at the rates shown. Final scope and investment confirmed on your discovery call. All retainer packages require a minimum of 30 days written notice to cancel. Unused shoot hours do not roll over. Hours beyond your monthly tier are billed at $400 per hour. Custom scopes available, contact us directly.