PLAID Collective is a premier restaurant and hospitality consulting and coaching firm founded on the belief that exceptional restaurant performance is engineered-not left to chance.
We partner with owners, operators, investors, and hospitality professionals to build profitable, sustainable businesses through strategic leadership, operational excellence, and innovative thinking.
From concept development to business reviews, hospitality summits and personalized online coaching tailored to each client’s unique goals, challenges, and vision.
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.
PLAID’s Training Guides -
Actionable restaurant training guides built around real-world experience, practical systems, and methods that work in busy restaurant environments. PLAID guides provide the knowledge and tools to help restaurant owners, managers, and teams operate with confidence.
Online Coaching - Focused, Affordable, Actionable
PLAID’s one-on-one online coaching is a great option for busy leaders that can help build your business or grow your performance. Whether you’re launching a new concept, strengthening your leadership skills, improving restaurant performance, or navigating the complexities of hospitality, our coaching offers practical strategies, expert insight and support to help you move forward with confidence.
Restaurant Support Subscription -
PLAID’s Restaurant support subscription packages are designed for operators who want expert guidance on a specific, high-impact area of their business. Coaching available online, text support and weekly phone call check in. Real person to person communication tailored to your specific needs. Limited Spaces available.
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 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.