Our Story
Built by Operators. Driven by Experience. Focused on What Comes Next.
There is a difference between understanding business in theory and knowing what it takes to make one succeed.
At Plate & Profit Consulting, our experience comes from being in the middle of it all — leading teams, managing complex operations, building brands, navigating challenges, and making the decisions that determine whether a business simply survives or truly thrives.
Founded by Steve and Jennifer Karfaridis, Plate & Profit brings together decades of experience across executive leadership, hospitality, restaurant operations, franchise development, business strategy, brand growth, and customer experience. We've seen firsthand what it takes to scale an organization, strengthen a struggling operation, develop exceptional teams, and turn a promising concept into a sustainable business. And we've learned that lasting success isn't built on strategy alone. It requires the right people, disciplined execution, financial understanding, and a willingness to get involved where it matters most.
That's the foundation of Plate & Profit.
We work alongside owners, entrepreneurs, and leadership teams to bring clarity to complex challenges, uncover opportunities, and build stronger businesses from the inside out.
Because the best consulting doesn't end with a recommendation.
It creates the confidence, capability, and foundation to move forward.
Our Team
Steve Karfaridis
Executive Leadership | Operations & Growth
Steve brings more than three decades of executive leadership and operational expertise to Plate & Profit, with a career defined by building businesses, developing teams, and transforming ambitious growth strategies into real-world results.
Among his most significant achievements is helping scale a business from just two locations to more than 50 internationally, reaching over $80 million in annual revenue. That experience gave him an invaluable understanding of what sustainable growth actually requires — from financial discipline and operational consistency to organizational structure, leadership development, and execution at scale.
Throughout his career, Steve has guided businesses through expansion, operational restructuring, performance improvement, and complex strategic decisions. His expertise spans restaurant and hospitality operations, franchise development, financial management, licensing, and multi-unit leadership.
But what truly distinguishes Steve is his approach to leadership. He believes in being present, understanding the realities of an operation, and developing people who can confidently lead long after the initial work is complete.
At Plate & Profit, Steve brings the perspective of an executive who has experienced the challenges of growth firsthand — and understands how to turn that experience into stronger, more resilient businesses.
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Jennifer Karfaridis
Co-Founder | Brand Strategy & Client Experience
Jennifer brings more than 15 years of experience across hospitality, business operations, customer experience, marketing, and brand development, with a career built around understanding what makes businesses memorable — and what keeps customers coming back. Having worked across multiple levels of the hospitality industry, from frontline operations to corporate leadership, Jennifer understands that exceptional customer experiences are never accidental. They're the result of thoughtful strategy, strong teams, clear communication, and operational consistency. Her expertise bridges the creative and operational sides of business.
From strengthening customer relationships and developing service standards to refining brand positioning, improving internal processes, and identifying opportunities for growth, Jennifer approaches every challenge with both the customer and the business in mind.
Known for her ability to connect with people, navigate complex situations, and identify opportunities others may overlook, Jennifer helps businesses build stronger relationships with their customers while empowering the teams responsible for delivering those experiences.
At Plate & Profit, she brings a perspective that connects brand identity, operational performance, and the human experience — helping businesses create lasting loyalty, meaningful differentiation, and sustainable growth.
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Leadership in the Spotlight
Experience That Made Headlines.
Our leadership experience extends far beyond consulting. From helping grow an emerging restaurant concept into a nationally recognized brand to navigating the realities of expansion, operations, and organizational growth, the experience behind Plate & Profit has been shaped by decades of hands-on work.
Explore selected independent coverage of the businesses, milestones, and leadership journeys that helped shape our approach today.
Our Approach
We believe the best solutions are built together.
Every business has its own challenges, opportunities, and ambitions. We begin by listening, understanding the organization, and identifying what matters most. From there, we combine strategic insight with hands-on operational experience to develop solutions that are practical, achievable, and aligned with your goals.
We don't believe in one-size-fits-all recommendations or strategies that look good only on paper. Our focus is on collaboration, accountability, and execution—helping leadership teams turn ideas into measurable progress.
Our philosophy is simple: understand the business, empower the people, and deliver results.
EXPERIENCE IN NUMBERS
30+
Years of Executive & Operational Leadership
50+
Locations Scaled
$80M
Annual Revenue at Scale
GLOBAL
Experience Across Markets & Business Operations