Biography of Diane Chiasson

Meet North America's one and only "Restaurant Merchandising Expert"

Diane Chiasson, FCSI, is President of Chiasson Consultants Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in helping clients like independent and franchise restaurant and retail operators, bakeries, coffee shops, hotels, resorts, educational 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. For more than 30 years, Diane has been working with North America's leading restaurant, foodservice, hospitality and retail owners and operators to deliver truly unique dining and shopping experiences for all their customers. She is recognized as the industry leader in providing innovative and creative foodservice and retail merchandising concepts.

Philosophy and approach

Diane believes that each and every client and project deserves new and unique ideas. Each project begins with a personal consultation with one clear goal in mind -- how to get customers to buy more, and how to get them to keep coming back. Diane brings her broad expertise, extensive educational background, strong organizational skills, vast experience, infectious enthusiasm and passion for excellence to each project. One of her unique qualities is her ability to see the big picture and be able to balance each element so it contributes to the whole project. Diane's innovative and creative approach has helped every one of her clients to increase revenue, improve staff efficiency and boost staff morale.

A high achiever, Diane is passionate about learning, and teaching clients what she knows. Her fiery personality and sense of humour help clients make the right decisions. Her "telling it like it is" style saves her clients' time and money. Her blunt, honest and straightforward approach allows clients to achieve their goals in an efficient and timely manner.

Diane is incredibly proactive and will push her clients to achieve more than they had ever imagined. With her 'touch love' approach to any type of job, whether it's coaching, seminars, a consultation over the telephone or a full project, Diane will find a flexible and profitable way to help your business.

Integrity and confidentiality – guaranteed

In the foodservice industry, trade secrets are a huge part of success. Diane knows this, and is committed to confidentiality at all stages of her work with you. Your business records and information are held in the strictest confidence, particularly proprietary information obtained while working with you.

Whether you need assistance on starting a restaurant business, guidance through every step of a new retail business, or simply advice on creating, launching or marketing a new product, Diane Chiasson is ready to help you. She guarantees each and every client a considerable return on investment. The results speak for themselves.

Background

A native of French Montreal, Diane has lived and worked in Paris – the birthplace of modern cuisine – and is fluent in French and English. She has an extensive educational background in interior design, haute cuisine, the art and science of merchandising, travel and tourism, sales promotion, and marketing. Diane has received certificates from Ryerson University, George Brown College and Ontario College of Art and Design. Diane has also studied at Cornell University in New York, earning certificates in various foodservice and retail merchandising programs. Her thorough approach to establishing and improving businesses has made her one of the most sought-after foodservice and retail consultants in her field.

To keep ahead of the competition, Diane visits, studies and analyses hundreds of new restaurants and retail operations every year. She also manages a library documenting thousands of innovative foodservice and retail operations around the world. She travels and works abroad extensively, attending seminars and workshops, conferences and trade shows, which enables her to track the latest foodservice and retail trends. She is a professional member of one of the most respected foodservice associations, Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI) and is an active member of several other industry associations.

Consulting and other activities

An accomplished consultant and writer, Diane's vast expertise is widely sought in restaurant, foodservice and retail industries. She has written and designed several training courses and manuals that teach foodservice and retail operators how to integrate creative and effective merchandising and marketing concepts and solutions into their operations.

Diane is an internationally-recognized speaker, and is regularly asked to speak at conferences to thousands of restaurant and store owners, corporate employees and industry association members, trade association shows and meetings, franchise conferences, and product manufacturers and suppliers events.

She has successfully developed and presented interactive “walking tour” presentations to foodservice and retail companies, associations, product manufacturers and suppliers across North America.

Diane has also served on a number of industry advisory boards and she contributes articles to a variety of trade publications. In addition, Diane has cultivated strong links with nutritionists, certified chefs, designers, architects and engineers, and food and equipment manufacturers and suppliers throughout the world.

A proven track record

Chiasson Consultants has worked with many national and international companies throughout Canada and the USA, take a look at our List of Clients.