Jason Howard
Jason Howard is an entrepreneur and institutional dining innovator serving as the CEO and Founder of IFC Foodservice (Integrated Food Concepts), an emerging institutional dining platform redefining how organizations approach commercial foodservice. Under his leadership, IFC has grown into a multi-million-dollar enterprise serving corporate campuses, healthcare systems, higher education, athletic venues, and institutional clients through a portfolio of more than twenty chef-driven restaurant brands. IFC’s mission is to transform institutional dining from a necessity into a hospitality experience that improves culture, wellness, and the workplace experience.
Jason’s entrepreneurial journey began in the restaurant industry, where he developed Jaxton’s Bistro + Bar, an independent chef-driven restaurant that helped introduce elevated casual fine dining to the Cypress, Texas market before later becoming part of Houston’s Five Central mixed-use entertainment district. Following that experience, he co-founded the multi-concept catering company Steaks 2 Crepes, whose diverse culinary concepts ultimately became the foundation for IFC’s expansive brand portfolio.
Recognizing that institutional clients wanted greater culinary variety without sacrificing operational simplicity, Jason transformed IFC into a scalable operating platform rather than a traditional foodservice contractor. Today, IFC partners with corporations, healthcare providers, universities, and institutional operators to deliver chef-driven cafés, corporate catering, grab-and-go retail, concessions, pop-up dining, and customized foodservice programs through approximately two dozen proprietary restaurant concepts. Rather than competing directly with the industry’s largest providers, IFC is building a new category – an independent innovation platform that plugs in to other corporate dining providers and existing foodservice operations. Enabling organizations to modernize dining with flexibility, speed, and hospitality-level quality.
Jason’s long-term vision extends beyond operating foodservice accounts. He is working to establish IFC as the nation’s leading institutional dining platform, helping organizations transform cafeterias and cafés into dynamic dining destinations while reshaping an industry historically dominated by rigid, one-size-fits-all operating models. His leadership philosophy combines entrepreneurial innovation, operational excellence, and strategic partnerships to create scalable solutions that benefit clients, employees, and the communities they serve.
Today, Jason continues to lead IFC’s national expansion with the belief that institutional dining should be every bit as innovative, diverse, and experience-driven as the best restaurants – creating a new standard for commercial foodservice across America.