The Future of Foodservice

Kim is co-founder of CO-OPPORTUNITIES, Inc., a highly respected food industry consulting firm that served a number of leading clients such as Nestle, Tyson, Sara Lee, McDonald’s Disney, Sysco, Walmart, Kroger and others. Most notably, the company was the lead consultant to The Coca-Cola Company for nearly 26 continuous years. Kim personally served as the firm’s lead consultant for two-plus decades of programs created with and for the beverage global leader. As an example, she created and managed the Coca-Cola “ASK” (Always Share Knowledge) program which became the foundation for Coca-Cola’s in-service educational program serving 500 Coca-Cola executives in 40 U.S. markets annually. As co-founder and CEO of Automated Restaurant Solutions, Kim’s is now focused on extending these brands into autonomous restaurant operations via vending.

Kim is co-founder of CO-OPPORTUNITIES, Inc., a highly respected food industry consulting firm that served a number of leading clients such as Nestle, Tyson, Sara Lee, McDonald’s Disney, Sysco, Walmart, Kroger and others. Most notably, the company was the lead consultant to The Coca-Cola Company for nearly 26 continuous years. Kim personally served as the firm’s lead consultant for two-plus decades of programs created with and for the beverage global leader. As an example, she created and managed the Coca-Cola “ASK” (Always Share Knowledge) program which became the foundation for Coca-Cola’s in-service educational program serving 500 Coca-Cola executives in 40 U.S. markets annually. As co-founder and CEO of Automated Restaurant Solutions, Kim’s is now focused on extending these brands into autonomous restaurant operations via vending.

Kim is co-founder of CO-OPPORTUNITIES, Inc., a highly respected food industry consulting firm that served a number of leading clients such as Nestle, Tyson, Sara Lee, McDonald’s Disney, Sysco, Walmart, Kroger and others. Most notably, the company was the lead consultant to The Coca-Cola Company for nearly 26 continuous years. Kim personally served as the firm’s lead consultant for two-plus decades of programs created with and for the beverage global leader. As an example, she created and managed the Coca-Cola “ASK” (Always Share Knowledge) program which became the foundation for Coca-Cola’s in-service educational program serving 500 Coca-Cola executives in 40 U.S. markets annually. As co-founder and CEO of Automated Restaurant Solutions, Kim’s is now focused on extending these brands into autonomous restaurant operations via vending.

Recipient of the highest honors in the food industry (“Key Person Award,” “President’s Award,” “NRA’s Lifetime Achievement Award”), Ira Blumenthal was Visiting Professor at the University of Notre Dame’s Foodservice Institute and Michigan State University’s Food Industry Institute. He was the CMO of a $1-billion food brand, the President of a $300-million food manufacturing company and later, as a consultant, was the longest continually retained “lead consultant” to Coca-Cola, advising the beverage giant for 26 continuous years. Ira is the author of four books, one a “best seller”… a syndicated columnist… and a public speaker who addressed nearly 3000 audiences on 5 continents. Pertinent to the vending and kiosk industry… just as Ira is credited for being an innovator who helped extend restaurant brands onto college campuses… then later extending restaurant brands into supermarket frozen food cases. He is committed to again extending iconic restaurant brands but this time through vending via Automated Restaurant Solutions.

Recipient of the highest honors in the food industry (“Key Person Award,” “President’s Award,” “NRA’s Lifetime Achievement Award”), Ira Blumenthal was Visiting Professor at the University of Notre Dame’s Foodservice Institute and Michigan State University’s Food Industry Institute. He was the CMO of a $1-billion food brand, the President of a $300-million food manufacturing company and later, as a consultant, was the longest continually retained “lead consultant” to Coca-Cola, advising the beverage giant for 26 continuous years. Ira is the author of four books, one a “best seller”… a syndicated columnist… and a public speaker who addressed nearly 3000 audiences on 5 continents. Pertinent to the vending and kiosk industry… just as Ira is credited for being an innovator who helped extend restaurant brands onto college campuses… then later extending restaurant brands into supermarket frozen food cases. He is committed to again extending iconic restaurant brands but this time through vending via Automated Restaurant Solutions.

Recipient of the highest honors in the food industry (“Key Person Award,” “President’s Award,” “NRA’s Lifetime Achievement Award”), Ira Blumenthal was Visiting Professor at the University of Notre Dame’s Foodservice Institute and Michigan State University’s Food Industry Institute. He was the CMO of a $1-billion food brand, the President of a $300-million food manufacturing company and later, as a consultant, was the longest continually retained “lead consultant” to Coca-Cola, advising the beverage giant for 26 continuous years. Ira is the author of four books, one a “best seller”… a syndicated columnist… and a public speaker who addressed nearly 3000 audiences on 5 continents. Pertinent to the vending and kiosk industry… just as Ira is credited for being an innovator who helped extend restaurant brands onto college campuses… then later extending restaurant brands into supermarket frozen food cases. He is committed to again extending iconic restaurant brands but this time through vending via Automated Restaurant Solutions.

John Varner has been in the foodservice industry for 34 years. He has extensive experience in wholesale distribution and the manufacturer’s representative fields… most specifically in the area of foodservice equipment. John’s fields of expertise include chain restaurants, college and universities, hotels, hospitals, fine dining, and other areas of hospitality. John and his team at M&M focus on streamlining operations, building labor savings operating systems, reducing food waste, and improving food quality for an operation’s end users. John’s M&M team conducts training, menu development and assists in tailoring an equipment package to meet the client’s needs. Based in Atlanta with equipment distribution relationships in all channels of foodservice throughout the United States, John is highly respected as a “back of the house” specialist and foodservice equipment expert. Believing that an important future of the industry is in automation, technology and vending, John’s company also specializes in vending installation, maintenance and service.

John Varner has been in the foodservice industry for 34 years. He has extensive experience in wholesale distribution and the manufacturer’s representative fields… most specifically in the area of foodservice equipment. John’s fields of expertise include chain restaurants, college and universities, hotels, hospitals, fine dining, and other areas of hospitality. John and his team at M&M focus on streamlining operations, building labor savings operating systems, reducing food waste, and improving food quality for an operation’s end users. John’s M&M team conducts training, menu development and assists in tailoring an equipment package to meet the client’s needs. Based in Atlanta with equipment distribution relationships in all channels of foodservice throughout the United States, John is highly respected as a “back of the house” specialist and foodservice equipment expert. Believing that an important future of the industry is in automation, technology and vending, John’s company also specializes in vending installation, maintenance and service.

John Varner has been in the foodservice industry for 34 years. He has extensive experience in wholesale distribution and the manufacturer’s representative fields… most specifically in the area of foodservice equipment. John’s fields of expertise include chain restaurants, college and universities, hotels, hospitals, fine dining, and other areas of hospitality. John and his team at M&M focus on streamlining operations, building labor savings operating systems, reducing food waste, and improving food quality for an operation’s end users. John’s M&M team conducts training, menu development and assists in tailoring an equipment package to meet the client’s needs. Based in Atlanta with equipment distribution relationships in all channels of foodservice throughout the United States, John is highly respected as a “back of the house” specialist and foodservice equipment expert. Believing that an important future of the industry is in automation, technology and vending, John’s company also specializes in vending installation, maintenance and service.

Chef Andre, as he is known, is a respected food service executive with a career that spans four decades of leadership excellence. He has created and managed some of the most exciting culinary concepts in America. Andy has held executive leadership and culinary positions for companies like Harrah’s Entertainment where he led food service operations worldwide and was the recipient of their corporate excellence award. He was also SVP and ultimately one of the owners of both Steak & Ale and Bennigan’s restaurant chains. He was co-founder of the enormously successful Rainforest Café and owner-operator of BB King’s Blues Café. He was also one of the founders and the first president of the American Beverage Institute. and honored by Pillsbury with “The Foodservice Industry’s Creative Excellence Award.” Andy now serves as the culinary executive with the Automated Restaurant Solutions group.

Chef Andre, as he is known, is a respected food service executive with a career that spans four decades of leadership excellence. He has created and managed some of the most exciting culinary concepts in America. Andy has held executive leadership and culinary positions for companies like Harrah’s Entertainment where he led food service operations worldwide and was the recipient of their corporate excellence award. He was also SVP and ultimately one of the owners of both Steak & Ale and Bennigan’s restaurant chains. He was co-founder of the enormously successful Rainforest Café and owner-operator of BB King’s Blues Café. He was also one of the founders and the first president of the American Beverage Institute. and honored by Pillsbury with “The Foodservice Industry’s Creative Excellence Award.” Andy now serves as the culinary executive with the Automated Restaurant Solutions group.

Chef Andre, as he is known, is a respected food service executive with a career that spans four decades of leadership excellence. He has created and managed some of the most exciting culinary concepts in America. Andy has held executive leadership and culinary positions for companies like Harrah’s Entertainment where he led food service operations worldwide and was the recipient of their corporate excellence award. He was also SVP and ultimately one of the owners of both Steak & Ale and Bennigan’s restaurant chains. He was co-founder of the enormously successful Rainforest Café and owner-operator of BB King’s Blues Café. He was also one of the founders and the first president of the American Beverage Institute. and honored by Pillsbury with “The Foodservice Industry’s Creative Excellence Award.” Andy now serves as the culinary executive with the Automated Restaurant Solutions group.