Michael S. Kaufman

A Senior Lecturer at the Harvard Business School, Michael co-developed and teaches a second year MBA course, “Challenges and Opportunities in the Restaurant Industry.” 

A founder and partner of Positive Strategy LLC, a management/strategy consulting firm, Michael helps boards and CEOs develop and implement navigation strategies in this ever-changing business environment.

Prior to founding Positive Strategy, Michael served as a partner of a boutique New York M&A advisory firm, led Metromedia Restaurant Group (then a $1.4 billion multi-chain restaurant company) for a dozen years, created and successfully exited a restaurant start-up, and innovated a restaurant brand for a luxury retailer.  Michael also served as an investment banker with Kluge & Company and an M&A lawyer with Paul Weiss in New York. 

He served as Chair of the Board of the National Restaurant Association, and is currently a director of the Association, a trustee emeritus of its Educational Foundation and of the Culinary Institute of America, Chair of the Business Leadership Council of Menus of Change (a collaboration between Harvard and the CIA), an executive advisor to a private equity firm, and a member of the Board of Northern Westchester Hospital and Chair of its Community Health Committee.  He also served on the Boards of Benihana, Inc., Culinary Concepts by Jean-Georges, and the Chappaqua School Foundation (including as president).

Michael is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School and lives in Chappaqua, New York. 

Cases and Teaching Materials

• Goldberg, Lena G., and Michael S. Kaufman. "Thomas Keller Restaurant Group: Leadership Through a Pandemic." Harvard Business School Case 321-112, January 2021. (Revised January 2021.) View Details
• Kaufman, Michael S. "PhaseNext: A Minority-Owned Small Business Restaurant Franchisee Confronts COVID-19." Harvard Business School Case 321-100, January 2021. View Details
• Kaufman, Michael S. "Darden Restaurants - The Quest for Growth." Harvard Business School Case 321-091, December 2020. View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., Michael S. Kaufman, and Joseph A. Paul. "Dexai Prepares to Put 'Alfred' to the Test." Harvard Business School Case 320-099, March 2020. (Revised April 2020.) View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., and Michael S. Kaufman. "Portillo's: How to Deliver?" Harvard Business School Case 320-090, March 2020. (Revised April 2020.) View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., and Michael S. Kaufman. "Chipotle Mexican Grill: A Bull versus Bear Debate." Harvard Business School Case 320-086, January 2020. View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., and Michael S. Kaufman. "Clover Food Lab in 2016 (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 320-085, January 2020. View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., and Michael S. Kaufman. "Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (B): Doing Right by Do-Rite Donuts." Harvard Business School Supplement 320-084, December 2019. View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., and Michael S. Kaufman. "From 80 Thoreau to Mooncusser Fish House & Moon Bar (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 320-061, January 2020. View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., Michael S. Kaufman, and Joseph A. Paul. "Just Like Mom's Contemplates Plant-based Meat." Harvard Business School Case 320-062, January 2020. View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., and Michael S. Kaufman. "Arby's: To Lead or Not to Lead?" Harvard Business School Case 320-044, December 2019. View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., and Michael S. Kaufman. "Dreaming of a New York City Restaurant (C)." Harvard Business School Supplement 320-060, December 2019. View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., and Michael S. Kaufman. "Dreaming of a New York City Restaurant (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 320-059, December 2019. View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., and Michael S. Kaufman. "Dreaming of a New York City Restaurant (A)." Harvard Business School Case 320-058, December 2019. View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., Michael S. Kaufman, Zach Addy, Michelle Lee, Cordelia Shackleton, and Tara Tomimoto. "Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (A): Turning Over a New Leaf?" Harvard Business School Case 319-077, January 2019. (Revised December 2019.) View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., and Michael S. Kaufman. "Chiacchierone's Owners Chat About Tipping." Harvard Business School Case 319-078, January 2019. (Revised January 2020.) View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., Michael S. Kaufman, and Max Saffer. "Sonic Introduces a Blended Burger." Harvard Business School Case 319-073, December 2018. View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., Michael S. Kaufman, Sam Li, Ruben Ortega, Sonia Smyth, and Mary Zhang. "Cushman Concepts at a Crossroads." Harvard Business School Case 319-075, December 2018. View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., Michael S. Kaufman, Greta Gerazimaite, Wilson Kyi, Robert McWatters, and Tuyee Yeboah. "Cameron Mitchell: The Conundrum of Charisma." Harvard Business School Case 319-079, December 2018. (Revised February 2020.) View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., and Michael S. Kaufman. "Barteca: The Challenge and Opportunity of Private Equity." Harvard Business School Case 319-076, December 2018. (Revised October 2019.) View Details
• Goldberg, Lena G., and Michael S. Kaufman. "Should Olo Bet on Delivery?" Harvard Business School Case 319-074, December 2018. View Details