Exciting things are in the works for local restaurant operators Wes Shaver and Mike Sorge, who formally announced the establishment of both a new Milwaukee-based hospitality group and a consulting agency.

Restaurant Revolution, a hospitality group which was formalized in late February, will function as an umbrella for their Walker’s Point restaurant Black Sheep, their operations agreement with the Schwabenhof in Menomonee Falls and an additional project which will be announced later this month. In addition to consolidating their hospitality ventures, Restaurant Revolution will also establish a foundation for employee advancement, notes Sorge.

"It’s important that we empower and encourage our team members to grow and meet goals," he says. "We believe great team building starts with investing in your staff and allowing them to rise to new occasions."

Revolve consulting

Meanwhile, the partners have also launched Revolve, an experience-driven agency self-described as "a birthplace for connecting, creating and collaborating." The agency, which will encompass both a breadth and depth of projects, will offer a variety of consulting and project management services including concept creation, public relations, food and beverage operations, design and build services, sales cultivation and brand management.

The goal of the company, says Shaver, is to operate the company with sufficient flexibility and affordability that services are accessible to small local businesses that might not otherwise be able to afford traditional agencies or consultancies. To execute its mission, Revolve will harness the talents of team members including operations directors Dave Kuklin and Steve Frame, culinary director Adam Pawlak and creative director Jonathan Warobick.

"I have a degree in theater arts and a master’s degree in sports management," notes Shaver. "My passions range from Shakespeare to stock cars, higher education to community advocacy. I love the hospitality business; but in order to make a greater impact, want to focus my time and energy on contributing to Milwaukee in a larger, more diverse capacity."

Letting go of The Love Shack

In conjunction with the launch of both Restaurant Revolution and Revolve, Shaver and Sorge will also relinquish their ownership stake in The Love Shack, a collaboration with majority owner Gary LaCourt, who will take over full operations for the business under his newly formed Forever Hospitality division. LaCourt is founder and CEO of Wisconsin-based internet jewelry company Diamond Nexus, and The Love Shack marks his first entry into the food and beverage arena.

"I have been wanting to launch Revolve and Restaurant Revolution for over a year," says Shaver, noting that it has been extremely gratifying to see The Love Shack come to fruition. "But sometimes, to make a dream a reality, you have to let something go."