Plant-filled restaurant space in Los Angeles, photo by Kayleigh Harrington via Unsplash

ICE Consulting Services

The Ultimate Task Force in Culinary Business Solutions

ICE has long been at the forefront of educating the industry’s next generation of chefs, entrepreneurs and culinary professionals.

Our Restaurant & Culinary Management instructors — active consultants, CEOs, COOs and entrepreneurs — are the ultimate task force in culinary business solutions.

The ICE Consulting Group was created to combine the unique talents and expertise of this unmatched team of educators and consultants. Our time-tested expertise, high-level credibility and custom solutions have facilitated the birth and evolution of hundreds of food companies and organizations — from the Federal Government and Brooklyn Fare to Popeyes and the Plaza Athenée.

The ICE Consulting Group consists of a team of seven seasoned consultants and culinary business leaders; its principals have served an impressive range of clients and professional associations as executives or consultants. They include:

Hotels

The Park Central Hotel and West House; New York, NY
The Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel; New York, NY
Hôtel Plaza Athénée; New York, NY
Viceroy Anguilla; Anguilla, BWI
The Sheraton; Nashville, TN
The Nomad Hotel; New York, NY
Soho House; New York, NY

Restaurants

Palm Restaurants; New York, NY
21 Club; New York, NY
Rainbow Room; New York, NY
Agricola; Princeton, NJ
Baracca; New York, NY
Macondo; New York, NY
Rosemary’s; New York, NY
Terrace on the Park; Flushing NY
Haven’s Kitchen; New York, NY
Paul Newman’s Westport Country Playhouse
Richard Sandoval Restaurants; various locations
Brooklyn Fare; Brooklyn, NY
Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare; Brooklyn, NY
Claus Meyer Restaurants; various locations
Il Buco; New York, NY
Shulte, Roth and Zabel, LLP (Restaurant Marketing Associates); New York, NY
Le Cirque; New York, NY

Franchised Operations

Popeyes
Hot and Crusty
Pret a Manger
Pudgie’s Chicken
Krispy Kreme
Kenny Rogers Roasters
TGI Fridays

Food and Beverage Companies

Nutrisystem
Bacardi
Beam Inc.
Cargill

Government, Agencies, Banks

Federal Government
US National Park Service - Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty
Port Authority of the City of NY
PNC Bank
California Pension Fund and their Investments in the Restaurants at Time Warner Center
Bloomberg L.P
Mobil Travel Guide

Client-Focused and Guest-Centric

Our years in the hospitality business have made us uniquely hardwired to operate with the highest service standards. We foster long-term connections with our clients and partners, forming relationships the old-fashioned way: one project and person at a time.

An Investment That Pays Off

We also know the values of successful entrepreneurs and corporations — in fact, many of our consultants have been business owners, CEOs or COOs themselves. We speak the same language and can modify our approach to meet your specific needs and goals.

Our methods are always budget-sensitive and efficient; we only spend the time that is needed to execute your specific project. At the same time, we practice accuracy; our eye for detail is at the heart of what we do. Finally, our success is measured by meeting and exceeding quantifiable industry standards. We’re here to ensure you satisfy your goals, achieve your dreams and help your business excel.

Collaboration That Benefits You

Each member of our team contributes unique talents to the success of the ICE Consulting Group. We have worked with the most highly respected companies in the world and are prepared to serve the growth of your unique business concept and brand.

Our methods are based on our love of collaboration: we appreciate each others’ strengths and know our success is all the greater when we join forces. Moreover, through our industry connections, you’ll gain unprecedented access to the top vendors, designers, architects, chefs and other resources.

Proven Expertise and Industry Scope

With more than 300 collective years of experience in food service and hospitality, we cover the full range of any business need in the industry and always continue to expand our knowledge and territory. While our group is based in New York, our work is represented throughout the United States and has also impacted many European markets.

From comprehensive concept and business plan development to in-depth analysis of your business’ current management, procedures and revenue stream, our services are designed to provide clients with both high-level vision and a focused list of actionable tasks.

Business Development

• Concept Development
• Brand Differentiation and Articulation
• Business Plan Creation and Assessment
• Business Proposal Optimization
• Food and Beverage Menu Development
• Recipe Formulation and Standardization
• Location Analysis
• Lease Review and Evaluation

Marketing

• Market and Market Segmentation Research
• Competition Evaluation and Analysis
• Brand Enhancement Strategies
• Comprehensive Strategic Market Planning
• Action Plan Formulation and Implementation
• POS Marketing Development
• Marketing Materials Development
• Social Media Assessment

Design

• Overall Design Review and Evaluation
• Green and Environmental Planning
• Space Utilization Analysis
• Production Capacity and Service Efficiency Review
• Production and Service Equipment Selection
• Revenue Generation Optimization
• Safety and Sanitation Appraisal
• Guest Comfort Assessment

Operations

• Fresh Eyes Evaluation
• Menu Engineering and Gross Profit Enhancement
• Food and Beverage Inventory Controls and Monitoring
• Recipe Standardization, Costing and Enhancement
• Beverage Program Development and Implementation
• Service Programs Development and Improvement
• Labor Utilization and Monitoring
• Workplace Culture Appraisal and Improvement

Training

• Training Program Development and Implementation
• Training Manual Construction
• Food and Beverage Production Training
• Food, Beverage and Wine Service Instruction
• Food Production and Service Sanitation Improvement
• Responsible Beverage Service: TIPS and ServSafe Certified
• Suggestive Selling Program Development and Implementation
• Train the Trainer Development
• Human Resource Skills and Implementation
• Executive and Management Team Coaching

Finance

• Financial Systems Review
• Gross Profit Analysis and Review
• P&L ‘Blue Print’
• Budgeting Formulation and Support
• Sales Data Analysis
• Food and Beverage Cost Analysis
• Inventory Management
• Labor Expense Review
• Operating Expenditure Monitoring
• Improved Profit and ROI Optimization

An ICE instructor lectures a restaurant and culinary management class

Are you a start-up entrepreneur? An investor evaluating opportunities in the culinary industry? A seasoned business owner looking to re-evaluate the potential of your properties? There’s rarely a project our team isn’t prepared to conquer, from collaborating with large-scale foodservice entities to restaurants, bars, retail outlets and specialty food concepts.

For free information and a personalized conversation about your business, contact ICE's VP of Marketing and Communications, Cathy Boyle, at (212) 847-0793.

Meet Our Team

The ICE Consulting Group grew from a desire to consolidate the assets and abilities of our unmatched faculty of Culinary Management instructors. Our advisors are all accomplished food and beverage authorities: former CEOs and COOs, consultants and entrepreneurs. As seasoned educators, our advisors are client-aware, partner-savvy and incredibly gifted in their abilities to translate proven business concepts into actionable tasks that can work for you.