We offer a wide range of restaurant, foodservice, merchandising, hospitality and retail consulting services.
Chiasson Consultants Inc. is a consulting firm that specializes in helping
independent and franchise restaurants, foodservice and retail
operations, bakeries, coffee shops, hotels, resorts, education facilities,
hospitals, grocery stores, supermarkets, corporate foodservice, foodservice
management, shopping centres, gas bars, theme parks, food commissaries, and
casinos build brand identity and customer loyalty, increase profits and sales,
and achieve greater success. We are 100% involved from start to finish!
Our company offers a wide array of services to help your restaurant,
foodservice, hospitality or retail operation. Diane Chiasson, FCSI, President,
is also available for Assessment Programs, Training, Coaching, Speaking and Telephone Consultations.
We offer the following
restaurant and retail
consulting services
Assessment
Chiasson Consultants will review your current and planned design, layout and
merchandising program. We then meet with your team to discuss the future needs
and plans of your operation. We complete a thorough assessment, and will make
suggestions for improvement. We identify the operation's internal resources
and make recommendations on how to reduce costs and improve operation
efficiency. We then identify business growth issues which could include
renovating or opening new operations, and provide the concept and design
development ideas to satisfy those needs.
We will also discuss the logistics of merchandising and presentation,
eye-catching displays and layouts, cross-merchandising, psychological
reactions to colour and texture, point-of-sales material and signage, as well
as lighting. This interactive assessment is available as a customized full-day
program or a half-day program.
Brand Identity
Chiasson Consultants creates and implements comprehensive, fully integrated
brand-name identity programs that maximize revenue potential. The objectives
are to increase revenue, build customer loyalty and develop a strong in-home
brand presence by designing and executing a private label branding and sales
program for your operation.
Concept Development
Chiasson Consultants in conjunction with your team will assist you with
your projects from start to finish in developing a strong concept and an
appropriate design direction for your foodservice or retail operation. This
involves touring the facilities, discussing design options, expansion of
product line, brainstorming sessions, as well as formalizing a general project
plan. Our goal is to match our services to meet your needs, within your
pre-established budget.
Customer Service Training
A well-designed customer service and loyalty marketing program will provide a
distinct advantage over the competition, while allowing you to establish a
reputation for customer service and attention to detail. Ultimately, by
catering to your established customer base, you will substantially increase
your bottom line.
A customer service and loyalty marketing program is not a one-shot deal, but
should be an ongoing commitment by your organization. Highly successful
operators view customer loyalty as an integral part of their operation.
Chiasson Consultants will create a customer service and loyalty marketing
which will integrate all aspects of your organization including operations,
training and future development.
Interior Design
When looking to refresh or create a new interior for your operation, Chiasson
Consultants will work with your team to create an inviting design and layout
for all your retail and foodservice areas. We will make suggestions related to
smallwares, furniture, lighting, equipment and display options, as well as
merchandising and layout recommendations. Creating an appealing foodservice
and retail environment will make your operation more attractive to your
customers, and will encourage them to stay longer.
Marketing
Menu Design & Copywriting
Menu Engineering
Mouthwatering descriptions for menu items are a must in today's marketplace.
Chiasson Consultants provides menu-writing services that make your menu an
effective sales tool. The design of the menu is just as important as the
descriptions and Chiasson Consultants uses effective placement, colour and
style to make high profit items sell more.
Merchandising
It has been our experience that effective and innovative foodservice and
retail merchandising in an operation requires a significant amount of
brainstorming and planning. The appropriate blend of your own food products,
artefacts, props, display, decorative accessories and great merchandising are
all key to the successful creation of the 
desired ambiance. Using outstanding merchandising techniques and
concepts, we design and implement an overall foodservice and retail
merchandising plan, and work out the proper solution to best suit your
company's needs.
Chiasson Consultants will assist and educate your employees on how to
introduce unique visual food merchandising and presentation techniques,
utilizing all kinds of food products such as big healthy original sandwiches,
homemade desserts, and display items such as plates, bottles of condiments,
etc. We also take your employees through a series of steps that will lead to
a more attractive foodservice operation and will therefore increase your
sales.
Promotions
Public Relations
Chiasson Consultants will design programs to train your executives to become a
highly efficient marketers for all your foodservice operations as well as for
your entire operation. The key to profitability in today's highly competitive
marketplace lies in a strong promotion, public relations and marketing
campaign. A high profile with both the public and the press will lead to
increased traffic and higher revenues. Therefore, a well-developed promotion,
public relations and marketing plan must be a goal for all your
operations.
A well-designed promotion, public relations and marketing strategy will
provide your operations with a distinct advantage over the competition,
especially if innovative solutions are applied to getting your word in the
marketplace. As you know, operators frequently neglect the many unique and
cost-effective methods to market their operations; meanwhile, a creative
approach to promotion and marketing would substantially increase your bottom
line.
Recipe & Product Development
One of the most important decisions you can make as a foodservice operator
concerns the type of food and beverage products that will be offered within
your operation. Additionally, the image of your operation will generally
centre on the types of food that are served, the consistency and quality of
each menu item served at different locations, as well as having similar price
ranges throughout your operation.
Chiasson Consultants will research, revise and develop each food menu item as
well as design unique food presentation; keeping in mind the overall image and
style of your operation. We also suggest, develop and implement new recipes
and menu items to be offered in your foodservice facility, as well as service
style and plating requirements, keeping in consideration the latest food
trends and popularity.
Training/Workshops
Training of personnel is an integral part of any program we undertake. Our
training program turns your staff into a strategic, efficient team. Chiasson
Consultants will train your managers and employees to independently manage
foodservice areas, including food and product selection, presentation,
display, merchandising, packaging, pricing, impulse sales and sales
techniques, and to use their creativity in helping to maintain the appearance
of your facility.
Workshops & Seminars
The training seminars introduce a short overview of the visual foodservice
merchandising concept to key executives. This enables you to evaluate how your
existing employees can introduce these concepts within your own operations.
Key elements include the product selection, presentation, merchandising,
packaging, and tips on how employees can use their creativity to help maintain
the appearance of the operation.
Employees gain years worth of experience in only days. All of our training
materials are based on well-documented research and proven principles of
learning. Our focus is on realistic, practical material that you can apply on
the job. We concentrate our efforts on the how-to's in the field.
The seminar will be a complete presentation with visual aids and a hands-on
demonstration by Diane Chiasson. Our approach is to do it rather than talk
about it.
Home Meal Solutions Programs
With the hectic pace of life in today's society, having customers enjoy
homemade food at their office or home is time-saving. Chiasson Consultants
develops unique names, attractive designs and in-house private label packaging
systems geared to strongly extend the brand and ensures product quality and
shelf life.
Food Supply Sourcing
Chiasson Consultants researches and sources various suppliers and
distributors for individual food supply needs. We ensure that the products
chosen best suit your company in terms of quality, cost and services. We will
work with your company to reduce both food and labour costs by researching the
best food suppliers, recommending and finding the best prices for your
foodservice needs.
Private Label and Packaging
Your operation's brand-name identity is a constant reminder because it
literally acts as an advertising billboard. Consistent graphics, colours and
logos reinforce customer awareness of your product line. They should be
creatively designed to enhance each department's visual image and underline
the operation's brand identity, theme and concept. Chiasson Consultants will
develop programs that effectively project your unique brand identity.
Point-of-Purchase and Signage Design
Chiasson Consultants advises on an array of related point-of-sales and signage material as well as table tents designed to enhance menu items and add to the ambiance of the dining or retail area. We also make recommendations for large blackboards, chalks, magic markers, erasable pens, clip-on point-of-sales, pins to insert mini signs, easels, stands, mini-signs and mini-blackboards.
Smallwares, Furniture and Equipment Sourcing
Chiasson Consultants will research and source various suppliers and
distributors for smallwares, furniture and equipment. These items must fit the
new image of your operation, and must be practical, cost-effective and set a
new standard that is well beyond the level of the competition.
Restaurant Kitchen Design
Lighting Evaluation and Recommendations
Chiasson Consultants will make arrangements for the appropriate
reconfiguration of your lighting system to highlight the new detailing and
enhance your facility's image.
Appropriate lighting directs your customer’s eye to the products you want
to feature. Lighting is a powerful element in making your products look
appealing, appetizing, and interesting.
Custom Designed Procedure Manuals
Chiasson Consultants will research, develop and compile a complete custom
designed procedure manual specific to your operation. This manual will outline
details of daily standards for business, including sections on corporate
philosophy, human resources, operation management, employee conduct,
accounting and record keeping, product description and knowledge, internal
controls, sanitation and risk management. The manual details the daily
procedures and operations of the facility plus an employee guide to the
standards that are expected within your operation. A complete series of
operational forms completes the manual and gives a guideline to hiring, job
responsibility and sanitation checklists. This manual is to be used as a
source of reference and as a training tool.
