Senior Operating Leadership for Restaurant Brands — Without the Full-Time Commitment
Shore Hospitality Consulting partners with restaurant owners, multi-unit operators, and investors to provide senior-level operating leadership on a fractional, interim, or advisory basis. We help restaurant brands improve margins, labor efficiency, and execution — quickly, pragmatically, and without adding permanent overhead.
With decades of real-world operating experience, Shore Hospitality Consulting steps in where leadership teams need support most: stabilizing performance, sharpening systems, and driving results.
How We Help
Improve restaurant-level profitability
Optimize labor and scheduling models
Strengthen operational discipline and accountability
Support ownership and leadership teams through change
About
David E. Miller is the Founder and Principal of Shore Hospitality Consulting, providing senior-level operating leadership to restaurant brands as a fractional COO, interim leader, and operating advisor.
Prior to founding Shore Hospitality Consulting, he held executive operating roles within large, complex restaurant organizations and nationally recognized hospitality brands, including Hard Rock Cafe, Joe’s Crab Shack, City Winery, Alicart Restaurant Group and Pink Taco. His experience spans multi-unit operations, cross-functional leadership, and performance-driven environments.
He is known for a pragmatic, hands-on approach to operations, with a focus on improving margins, labor efficiency, and execution.
Today, he partners with restaurant owners, multi-unit operators, and investors seeking experienced leadership support without the overhead of a full-time executive.
Outside of work, he enjoys exploring local dining scenes, supporting live music at the Jersey Shore, engaging in community initiatives, and staying inspired by the ever-evolving world of hospitality. David currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Harry Chapin Foundation.
Shore Hospitality Consulting was founded by a former restaurant COO with decades of multi-unit operating experience. The firm exists to give restaurant owners, operators, and investors access to seasoned operating leadership — without the cost or commitment of a permanent executive.
Our approach is practical, direct, and grounded in real restaurant operations. We focus on what moves the needle: people, systems, and disciplined execution.
Who We Serve
Founder-led restaurant groups
Multi-unit operators
Private equity-backed brands
Hospitality investors and boards
Ways to Work Together
Our services are designed to meet restaurant brands where they are — whether navigating growth, transition, or operational pressure.
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Fractional COO / Operating Advisor
Best for: Owners, founder-led groups, and PE-backed restaurant brands that need experienced operating leadership without a full-time executive hire.
What This Looks Like:
Weekly or biweekly operating and KPI reviews
Labor, margin, and productivity oversight
Leadership coaching and accountability
Cross-functional operational guidance
Engagements are typically structured as monthly retainers and tailored to the needs of the business.
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Interim Operations Leadership
Best for: Leadership transitions, turnarounds, or temporary operational gaps.
What This Looks Like:
Hands-on operational leadership (on-site or remote)
Team stabilization and execution support
Systems, process, and performance reset
Planned transition and handoff
Ideal for short- to mid-term engagements, typically 3–9 months.
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Targeted Operating Projects
Best for: Clearly defined, time-bound operational challenges.
Examples include:
Labor optimization and scheduling redesign
Menu engineering and margin recovery
Pre-sale operational clean-up
Post-acquisition integration support
Projects are scoped with clear objectives, timelines, and outcomes.
"Working with David and Shore Hospitality Consulting has been a welcomed partnership for Posto Pazzo. I’ve known David for over 30 years - he actually worked for me early in his career - and even back then, his passion for hospitality and attention to detail stood out. Today, he brings that same dedication along with decades of experience to help restaurants like mine to succeed. His insights into operations, staffing and guest engagement have helped us to streamline our business while never losing the heart of who we are. David is more than a consultant - he’s a trusted partner who genuinely cares about our success. I highly recommend him to any operator looking to take their business to the next level.”
- Luigi Petrone, Chef/Owner, Posto Pazzo, Huntington, NY
Testimonials
"I have had the opportunity to collaborate with David on three distinct occasions over the years, and I have consistently been impressed by his capacity to address complex challenges effectively. He excels at delivering immediate results while also ensuring a sustainable impact in the long term. David is skilled in evaluating a wide array of issues that may arise within the hospitality industry, and he is adept at working across all levels of an organization to develop solutions through meaningful collaboration that inspires confidence among stakeholders. Throughout our professional relationship, David has demonstrated both the ability to formulate comprehensive strategic solutions and the capability to implement detailed tactics that capitalize on opportunities."
- David Catalano, Owner, Taco Joint, Texas
“Working with David and Shore Hospitality Consulting has been a great asset for Chicken Town. His knowledge of the restaurant industry is second to none, and he immediately identified areas where we could improve our business. David built a full plan with actionable ideas tailored to benefit my restaurant. His hands-on approach and genuine passion for hospitality set him apart—he doesn’t just give advice, he helps you execute it. I highly recommend Shore Hospitality Consulting to any restaurant owner looking to grow their business the right way.”
— Eddie Testa, Owner, Chicken Town, Toms River, NJ
Contact
If your organization needs experienced operating leadership — even temporarily — Shore Hospitality Consulting is ready to help.