OUR STORY: BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP
Our founder, Eric, was quite literally born with a plastic spoon in his mouth. His stepfather was a pioneer in the plastics industry—one of the first to manufacture and supply disposable cutlery and straws to the restaurant and hospitality sectors. Growing up immersed in his family’s business, Eric gained firsthand insight into foodservice operations and packaging innovation.
Building on this foundation, Eric co-founded multiple foodservice and retail packaging companies that supplied Fortune 500 brands. In the 1990s, he stepped away from the corporate world and founded Packaging Resources, a consulting firm that quickly became a trusted partner in packaging design, sourcing, and operational strategy. Today, Packaging Resources serves a wide range of industries, including foodservice, agriculture, retail, club stores, industrial, pharmaceutical, and e-commerce.
Eric’s deep understanding of foodservice led him to launch US Restaurant Consultants in the early1990s. The firm helps operators—from start-ups to large chains—with everything from concept development, menu creation, and marketing to location scouting, lease negotiation, and M&A support.
Design has always been a passion of Eric’s. His mother was a part-time interior designer, and Eric grew up involved in the construction of two architecturally significant family homes. That early exposure evolved into a lasting interest in architecture, design, and construction. He met his wife—an interior designer and former career Disney/ABC Entertainment team member —at one of his restaurants. Together, they launched a successful design, staging, and construction firm in Southern California, catering to the region’s most affluent markets.
In a shift toward family and lifestyle, Eric and his wife moved to Idaho to be near their adult children and future grandchildren. There, they brought their expertise and business model to a new market. The Gem State Group, now a growing design-build and construction management firm, serves both commercial and residential clients across Idaho. His wife also leads her own firm, Idaho Design Group.
Driven by his passion for design and construction, and equipped with a strong problem-solving mindset, Eric recognized the need to bring together a team of construction experts to support others—leading him to found The Construction Forensics Group of Idaho, a firm dedicated to providing expert forensic consulting services. Through detailed investigations and accurate evaluations, the group helps uncover the root causes of construction issues and offers clear, actionable solutions.
As the foodservice and retail sectors increasingly embraced e-commerce and delivery, Eric saw another opportunity. He launched US Delivery Consultants, extending support to restaurants, retailers, and logistics operators in areas like last-mile delivery, contract negotiation, packaging, and app development. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated demand, and today, delivery and e-commerce are cornerstones of the new economy—with demand for consulting expertise higher than ever.
Food trucks also became a focus. From their early days as "roach coaches" at factories like his father's, to the modern branded gourmet trucks seen today, Eric has seen the evolution firsthand. Through US Food Truck Consultants, he supports clients—both independent entrepreneurs and established restaurant groups—with concept development, design, permitting, operations, and more. The food truck sector continues to grow exponentially.
Where We Are Now
From a humble start in plastics to building a multi-disciplinary consulting group across packaging, restaurants, delivery, real estate, and design, Eric’s story reflects an entrepreneurial spirit grounded in hands-on experience. His companies now form a diverse ecosystem of expert services that support the rapidly evolving needs of modern businesses.
This is how we got to where we are today—and we’re just getting started.
Outside of work, Eric has spent a lifetime serving his communities as a City Commissioner and as a former or current board member of many non-profits including the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, his local Police Department, Police Activities League, YMCA, SHARE, his local Parks Foundation, Crossroads Community Foundation/PS Arts, Institute of Packaging Professionals, UCLA Alumni Association, RAND Policy Circle, National Restaurant Association, Virginia Avenue Park, Pier Restoration Corporation, Padres El Cancer, PTA, and more.
In 2010, Eric was honored to be nominated by his hometown community and selected from thousands of submitted national applicants to be awarded the National Humanitarian of the Year Congressional Award sponsored by the SBCA. He was presented the award in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on May 5, 2010 by John Lewis and several other prominent Congresspersons.
OUR GROUP OF COMPANIES
U.S. RESTAURANT CONSULTANTS
U.S. FOOD TRUCK CONSULTANTS
PACKAGING RESOURCES
U.S. DELIVERY CONSULTANTS
THE CONSTRUCTION FORENSICS GROUP OF IDAHO
THE GEM STATE GROUP
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