News

Sustainability and the Green Revolution

Jay Treadwell was honored to have been asked to be on a 4 person panel organized through the Cornell Entrepreneurial Network, discussing the “new Economy and the restaurant industry”. There were over 100 interested industry leaders and seekers listening to thoughts on all aspects of restaurant entrepreneurism. “I was presenting information on the recent and growing trend of sustainability, buying local and 'green restaurant' creation.”

One of the largest hospitality companies in the world

Ever wonder what it is like to feed 3000 people a day? The Optimum Group has just been awarded by the corporate office of Marriott International to evaluate all their dining facilities at their headquarters in Bethesda, MD. The contract will, initially, extend over the next three months and will result in Marriott learning a great deal about its contracted services to Sodexo.

Inter-American Development Bank

The Optimum Group just completed its eighth food safety and sanitation audit at the Inter-American Development Bank, a long-time client , wanting to ensure that their products and services are of the highest quality. This unannounced audit is conducted twice per year and has resulted in a superior level of service for employees of the IADB. We conduct audits for restaurants and other foodservice operations, ensuring that high standards are constantly met.

Jay and Ben at the AIMS Conference

The Optimum Group took a booth at the conference of the Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS), explaining to participants how they help schools reduce costs of foodservice operations at these member schools. The booth itself was created for the company in California and was instrumental in bringing great interest to what the company does.

New Menu for Coco Moka Café!

The Optimum Group introduced a new menu for Coco Moka Café in the Leisure World Shopping Center in Silver Spring, MD on September 8th. This menu is based on "Jewish" fare and is modeled after the best Jewish Delis in New York. The names of the items correlated to the 5 burroughs of New York City.

Our latest partnership with the FBI

The FBI retained The Optimum Group in the middle of June to complete an analysis of its document to rebid the foodservice contract for the large FBI Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia. We were able to provide them valuable information on its Ability One contracts for use for their upcoming 5-year contract.

Optimum Group provides analysis and expertise to School Foodservice

Missouri Lawmakers Consider Education Funding Cuts (AP, Lieb)…USDA Calls For Overhaul of School Lunches (USA Today, Hellmich)…House Eyes School Budget Cuts (Leesburg Today, Iacone)…

Schools, both public and private, are in trouble. We can’t solve all these problems, but we can overhaul your school lunch program and work with you to ensure that your independent school can deal with any issues the economy or new nutritional guidelines present.

The Optimum Group recently completed an assignment with St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Charlottesville, VA. We were asked to analyze and critique responses to an RFP for foodservices they had recently completed. The effort also included an analysis as to whether the school should out-source their foodservices or self-operate the facilities.

We're thrilled by our new web presence!

Working with award-winning design and media firm, Three of Change, The Optimum Group has launched their new web presence. Ben Hiatt and Jay Treadwell, Partners and founders of The Optimum Group, said, "We are thrilled to have made this new web presence a reality. The Optimum Group helps food industry businesses realize their goals, we were happy to have Three of Change as our partner for this goal."

The newest member of the Dean's Advisory Board, Jay Treadwell

Jay has recently been named as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration.

Ben Hiatt reaffirms his commitment to the community.

Fairfax County’s Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, and continues to serve as Chairman Emeritus and a member of the board of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW). Ben was also recently reelected to the Board of Directors of Visit Fairfax.