As a client of The Optimum Group, you can expect an unparalleled quality experience. Whether it’s foodservice design or strategizing operations, we strive to bring a passion and creativity to every project and will present you with the optimal and most cost-effective solutions tailored to your individual needs.
As a company that’s been in the foodservice business for over 25 years, we have consulted to some of the industry’s most successful business owners and managers. With our in-depth and diverse knowledge, we understand both the macro and micro levels of detail that will help you reach your goals. Our unique, hands-on collaborative approach sets in motion a seamless committed partnership offering best practices to meet all your objectives.
Ben Hiatt
Managing Director
Ben serves as Principal of The Optimum Group, his leadership and in-depth knowledge of the industry have been proven time and again over the last 35 years.
Ben earned his B.A. in Business Administration from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, and received his MS in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management from Florida International University in Miami, Florida.
Ben spent his initial career as a multi-restaurant manager and executive chef. He later owned and managed a multi-unit restaurant company, off premise catering entity and a contract food service company serving the business & industry market. Ben currently holds an Associate Professorship in Hotel and Restaurant Management at Northern Virginia Community College and is a certified ServSafe instructor.
Ben has been a featured guest on local and national television networks and has been a frequent contributor to national and local publications. In addition, he served as Chairman of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of Visit Fairfax (Fairfax County Virginia Convention and Visitors Corporation) and the Fairfax Virginia Chamber of Commerce where he served on the Executive Committee.
Pat Gordon
Senior Director
Pat serves as Senior Director of the Optimum Group. Pat brings with him forty plus years of experience in the hospitality and foodservice Industry. His expertise, confidence, professional network, design, and equipment background, coupled with his tough-minded leadership provides a unique skill set to assist food service organizations as they plan and execute their programing.
Pat attended the Hotel and Restaurant School at Florida State University and upon completion took a management role with a national chain in the restaurant business. During the early part of his career, he directed and operated single restaurants and quickly assumed supervisory responsibilities in multi-unit restaurant operations. This effort eventually led to US brand expansion internationally that eventually lead becoming the Chief Operation Officer of a Virginia regional restaurant chain.
After many years of running a US brand internationally and leading the growth of this regional chain, Pat transitioned into his own business as one of the founders of a successful east coast, multi-unit restaurant company. With this new role, he assisted with the planning, development and construction oversight and propelling the growth and profitability that lead to the sale of the business.
With Pat’s continued desire to participate in the industry and assist others in foodservice development, he transitioned into commercial kitchen and equipment design for the largest equipment dealer in the US.
Pat is a past board member of the Red Cross, Newport News Virginia chapter and is a past board member of the Massachusetts restaurant association.
