Strategic Food & Consumer Product Consulting That Gets Results

I help food, beverage, restaurants, and consumer product companies develop winning products, optimize operations, and scale profitably — without costly missteps.

Who I Help

I work with founders, executive teams, and operators who are: – Launching or scaling food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods – Struggling with margins, manufacturing, or product consistency – Looking for experienced, hands-on leadership without hiring full-time

If you need practical guidance from someone who’s been inside the business — not just advising from the sidelines — you’re in the right place.

Services

Fractional Leadership & Advisory

Senior-Level leadership when you need it most.

I step in as a fractional execuitive or strategic advisor to ehlp you make confident decisions during growth, transition, or complexity. this isn’t theory – it’s real-world leadership based on decades of experience.

How I help:

Executive decision support – Strategic planning and prioritization – Operational problem solving – Cross-functional team alignment.

Best for:

Companies that need experienced leadership without the overhead of a full-time hire.

Culinary & Innovation Consulting

Innovation grounded in execution.

With a culinary background and operational mindset, I help brands innovate without losing sight of cost, consistency, or scalability.

How I help:

Flavor and menu development – Ingredient and supplier evaluation – Innovation pipelines – Culinary-to-manufacturing translation

Outcome:

Products that taste great and perform in the real world.

Product Development & Commercialization

From concept to market-ready — faster and smarter.

I help transform ideas into viable, scalable products that customers want and operations can support.

How I help:

Concept development and refinement – Market and trend alignment – Formulation and prototype guidance – Pilot runs and commercialization strategy

Outcome:

Reduced time to market, fewer costly revisions, and stronger product launches.

Manufacturing & Operations Optimization

Fix what’s broken — and build what scales.

I work hands-on with manufacturing and operations teams to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and protect margins.

How I help:

Process optimization – Cost of goods (COGS) reduction – Co-manufacturer selection and management – Quality and consistency improvements

Outcome:

Stronger margins, smoother operations, and fewer surprises.

Brand & Growth Strategy

Align your product, operations, and growth plan.

Growth fails when strategy and execution don’t match. I help ensure they do.

How I help:

Go-to-market strategy – Portfolio rationalization – Growth and scaling plans – Strategic partnerships

Outcome:

Sustainable growth backed by operational reality.

Industries Served

Food & Beverage

Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)

Restaurants & Foodservice

Manufacturing & Processing

Emerging Brands & Startups

About Mike Leitner

I’m a hands-on consultant with over 30 years of experience across food, beverage, manufacturing, and consumer products. I’ve led teams, launched products, fixed broken operations, and helped companies grow — from startups to established brands.

My approach is practical, direct, and results-focused. No fluff. No jargon. Just proven experience applied to your business.

Clients

Culinary Leadership & Foodservice Expansion Representative

Represented Bel Brands in a culinary leadership capacity to drive growth and adoption in the foodservice segment. Developed and delivered comprehensive sales training programs, guidance on product usage and applications (featuring brands like Boursin®, Mini Babybel®, and The Laughing Cow®), and conducted live demonstrations, broker meetings, sales presentations, and direct customer engagements to showcase versatility, inspire menu innovation, and expand penetration across restaurants, catering, and other out-of-home channels.

“Mike was hired in a consulting role for Bel Brands. During his tenure with Bel, Mike was initially hired to develop training outlines for our sales organization. It was evident after a very short period that Mike would be able to provide much more to our business unit. From recipe development to Foodservice insights, to working with our sales organization in a selling chef role, Mike knocked it out of the park!”

– Fred Moye, National Accounts Lead

CPG Scaling & Growth Consultant

Mr Bing Foods Partnered with Mr Bing, the emerging East Asian street sauce brand (known for its clean-label chili crisp), to transition their hand-made product from artisanal production to full commercial manufacturing. Reformulated recipes for food safety, manufacturability, and consistent quality; sourced and onboarded their current manufacturing facility; secured distribution center access for samples and full-channel fulfillment; and drove explosive growth—scaling annual sales from $200K in the prior year to over $2MM in the first 6 months of the following calendar year. Additionally, reduced COGS by 15% amid peak COVID-era ingredient, freight, and supply chain cost surges, delivering significant margin improvement and sustainable profitability.

“Mr Bing Foods would not be where it is today without Mike’s rare combination of manufacturing and logistics, culinary, retail, and food service experience, which were critical in growing Mr Bing from a contract kitchen with direct sales, to manufactured product with national distribution. “

“During this time, the company achieved a 15% reduction in COGS, exceeded FY 2021 sales in Q1 2022, and is on track for 8x growth in FY 2022. This was a direct result of Mike’s contributions to the company, and occurred during a 40-year high inflationary period with severe supply chain shortages.”

“I would recommend Mike to any fast-growing company looking to establish robust production, process, and operations capacities, and am happy to share our experiences further on a call.”

– Brian Goldberg CEO / Benjamin Duvall COO

Product Development & Operations Strategy

Collaborated with Rite Stuff Foods to launch a brand-new line by creating and developing their complete batter and breading program for optimal performance, consistency, and scalability in frozen finger foods. Partnered with engineering to design and implement a strategy for redesigning core production lines with partial automation—addressing labor shortages and improving order fulfillment efficiency. Simultaneously engaged directly with clients to co-develop high-performing products, including innovative Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks that deliver traditional texture and crispiness, and led the full recreation/adaptation of Frostkrone (Germany)’s snacks lineup to align with parent company specifications and market needs.

“Mike Leitner and I worked closely when he was employed by Rite Stuff Foods, Inc. as the Director of Product Development and also as his time as a Consultant for Rite Stuff Foods, Inc as well.

Mike is unquestionably the most knowledgeable professional I have ever known relative to formula enhancement, product development from concept to production and the integration of product parameters to meet customer expectations. His work be that Product Development, product revisions, commercialization, presentations, etc was always done with professionalism and pride.

Also a great person to include in sales presentations because of his far reaching informational base. I highly recommend Mike Leitner as a consultant and a colleague!”

– David Moore, Rite Stuff Foods Director of Sales

Culinary Recipe Development for New Restaurant Concept – Middle East

Tasked with creating a foundational recipe portfolio to support the launch and scaling of an innovative restaurant concept in the Middle East. Developed original, chef-driven recipes tailored to the brand’s vision, incorporating regional flavors, premium ingredients, and operational efficiency to ensure menu appeal, consistency across locations, and strong market differentiation in a competitive hospitality landscape.

“Mike worked diligently with us in developing the taste profile we were looking for and his expertise in the food industry has been invaluable. His deep knowledge of food, professionalism, and work ethic are all qualities that were evident in his work and in his communications.”

“I would highly recommend working with him.”

– Rana A. Batterjee, Vice President

Researched, sourced samples and pricing then outlined Gluten Free Cauliflower Crust options for Oath Pizza.

Your timing, followup, communication, and results were great, thank you so much!
– Tianna Alfieri, Director Growth Partnerships & Marketing Operations

Recipe Development & Product Innovation Consultant

Led a series of recipe development projects for Ivar’s Soup Company to revitalize their flagship heat-and-eat soups and chowders (including their legendary clam chowder). Transformed core products into versatile, chef-friendly applications beyond basic reheating—such as incorporated ingredients in appetizers, entrees, sauces, casseroles, and creative menu extensions—to unlock new revenue streams, enhance foodservice appeal, and drive profitability in retail, wholesale, and restaurant channels.

Recipe Re-Creation & Operations Optimization

Aztec Grill Re-created and standardized Aztec Grill’s core recipes to enhance repeatability, reduce operational complexity, and improve training efficiency across locations. Developed detailed step-by-step directions with accompanying photos in both English and Spanish, alongside comprehensive opening, mid-shift, and closing line checks, and streamlined prep lists—empowering teams to maintain consistent quality, minimize waste, and support scalable growth in fast-casual Tex-Mex environments.

“I have been very impressed with Mike’s ability to bring expertise and adapt it to where an organization is in its journey as well as the culture of its people.
Such a well-rounded expert with a great mix of bottom-up and top-down approach!
Thank YOU Mike for your contribution.”

–Lionel Vincenti, Vice President Operations

Sauce Manufacturing & Scaling Project

Tasked with transitioning in-house made sauces across multiple Tao Group brands (including TAO & LAVO) to commercial production. Sourced and onboarded suitable manufacturing facilities, coordinated ingredient supply chains, and iteratively refined recipes to precisely match the Vice President of Culinary’s exacting standards—all completed in under 3 months as required. Successfully delivered consistent, scalable sauces that maintained premium quality while enabling operational efficiency across their global portfolio of high-volume venues.

Culinary Leadership for QSR Innovation

Serve as culinary leader for Bimbo QSR, the global bakery powerhouse supplying customized buns, rolls, and baked goods to quick-service restaurant chains in over 20 countries. Drive innovation in product development, menu applications, and carrier solutions (e.g., high-speed, scalable buns for smash burgers, premium sandwiches, and trend-forward items); provide strategic guidance on foodservice trends, quality standards, and operational excellence; and collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate culinary vision into repeatable, high-performing products that help QSR partners differentiate menus, enhance guest appeal, and achieve growth in a competitive fast-casual landscape.

On-Site Brand & Operations Consultant

Spent an intensive week embedded with the owner of Meddys, the fast-growing Mediterranean fast-casual chain, to assess current operations and implement targeted improvements. Identified key opportunities in branding, menu execution, and systems; delivered hands-on fixes to product consistency, guest experience, and operational workflows; and provided actionable recommendations to make the concept more scalable, repeatable, and profitable—positioning the brand for continued multi-unit growth and potential franchising.

Culinary Strategy & Innovation Consulting

Elohi Strategic Advisors Worked alongside Elohi’s team of sales, marketing, insights, and culinary professionals to deliver scalable support for food brands. Focused on real-world product refinement, persuasive culinary pitches for funding, trade show product activations, and personalized client engagements—helping emerging and established companies turn concepts into market wins.

Culinary Advisor and Media Partner for Fonterra

Collaborating with Fonterra to develop compelling culinary content, recipe demonstrations, and media assets that highlight the superior quality and versatility of New Zealand dairy. Supporting their global foodservice brand (Anchor Food Professionals) by creating engaging stories from farm to plate for chefs, operators, and audiences worldwide.