PLAID Collective Restaurant Consulting is a premier restaurant and hospitality consulting firm founded on the belief that exceptional guest experiences are intentionally engineered.
We partner with owners, operators, investors, and hospitality professionals to build profitable, sustainable businesses through strategic leadership, operational excellence, and innovative thinking.
At PLAID Collective, we believe that remarkable restaurants are built by design. By integrating profitability, leadership, analytics, innovation, and development into every aspect of an operation, we help hospitality businesses create exceptional guest experiences while delivering enduring financial success.
The name PLAID is more than our identity; it is the framework that defines every engagement and every solution we deliver. It represents the five foundational pillars of our consulting philosophy:
Profit: Maximizing financial performance through disciplined cost controls, revenue optimization, and sustainable growth strategies.
Leadership: Developing high-performing leadership teams, creating accountability, and fostering cultures that inspire excellence.
Analytics: Leveraging operational data, financial metrics, and performance insights to drive informed decision-making and measurable results.
Innovation: Designing forward-thinking concepts, systems, and guest experiences that differentiate businesses in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Development: Building long-term organizational capability through training, operational systems, concept development, and strategic planning.
Entry-Level Packages - Focused, Affordable, Actionable
PLAID’s entry-level packages are designed for operators who want expert guidance on a specific, high-impact area of their business without committing to a full retainer. Each package is a complete, standalone engagement with clear deliverables and a defined scope.
THE SERVICE RESET - FOH Evaluation & Retraining Plan
THE KITCHEN STANDARD - BOH Evaluation & Execution Improvement Plan
THE MENU PROFIT ENGINE - Menu Engineering & Profitability Review
Premium Packages - Exclusive. Impactful. Result Driven.
The PLAID Premium Packages are the firm’s most comprehensive offering a range of fully embedded, end-to-end consulting engagements designed for entrepreneurs, investors, and operators who wish to rebrand an existing concept or launch a new restaurant concept from scratch.
THE TRANSFORMATION - Best for a mid-sized transformation, culture uplift, new SOPs, and menu overhaul.
THE LEGACY BUILD - Best for long-term partners seeking full brand transformation, deep culture build, and scalable systems.
THE PLAID CONCEPT START-UP PACKAGE - Best for Entrepreneurs, investors, and operators launching a new restaurant concept from the ground up or for those who intend to fully rebrand an existing restaurant concept.
The team behind PLAID Collective
Kurt Gardner - CEO
Kurt Gardner brings more than 35 years of executive leadership in the hospitality industry. His experience spans hotels, award-winning multi-unit franchise ownership, independent restaurant development, and executive restaurant operations, providing clients with a unique blend of strategic vision and operational expertise.
His experience encompasses every phase of the restaurant lifecycle, from concept development and site selection to design, operations, financial management, branding, and long-term growth.
Known for building profitable, sustainable hospitality businesses, Kurt has a proven track record of improving operational performance, maximizing profitability, and creating exceptional guest experiences. He is equally passionate about leadership, having recruited, mentored, and developed high-performing hospitality teams throughout his career.
Carmen Shaw - Director
An entrepreneur and restaurateur specializing in restaurant concept creation, culinary direction, and interior design. With experience in both the Canadian and U.S. hospitality markets, Carmen has developed and refined distinctive dining concepts that combine innovative and brand cohesive cuisine, memorable guest experiences, and thoughtfully designed spaces. Her expertise spans brand development, menu strategy, BOH labor reduction and product consistency. Her design talent in restaurant interiors, bring visionary ideas from concept to successful execution.
Cody Miller - SOP and Training specialist.
With over 14 years of hospitality experience, Cody Miller has built a career helping restaurants strengthen their people, systems, and operational performance. From independent concepts to nationally recognized restaurant groups, he has led high-volume operations, developed future leaders, and implemented systems that create lasting results.
Jeromie Strom - Executive chef
With more than 25 years as Executive Chef in franchises and independants, Jeromie has played a key role in the growth and evolution in one of Canada’s most recognized restaurant brands. Throughout his career, he has helped open numerous locations across Canada and USA, leading culinary teams, developing kitchen operations, and ensuring every restaurant delivers the exceptional quality and consistency.
Your Questions, Answered
Can I customize what my restaurant needs?
Absolutely. Entry level packages are available as well as concierge packages building a brand from start to finish.
Can I do a free consultation call to see if it fits my needs?
Yes, we recommend emailing to set up free 30 minute session.
Do you offer services outside the YYC?
Yes, PLAID Collective is avaiable across Canada and USA.
Can you do team coaching?
Yes, after business audits we can set up team meetings and advise on how to continue using systems PLAID has set in place.