Fork Lift: Business Students Help Local Restaurant
Manning School of Business students are serving as consultants this semester to Lowell restaurant FORK Included as part of their Internship in Entrepreneurship course.
Mill City Consulting Group
Student-Led. Faculty-Guided. Built for Real Businesses.
Mill City Consulting is a student-run, faculty-led consulting group based at the Manning School of Business at UMass Lowell. The group partners with local startups, small businesses and growing organizations to deliver practical, data-driven solutions, while giving students meaningful, real-world consulting experience.
Image by Ed Brennen Mill City Consulting students are working with FORK Included owner Vidon Pich, left, this semester to help market his restaurant, which recently reopened on University Avenue near North Campus.
Inspired by Lowell’s legacy of innovation, Mill City Consulting exists to help businesses solve real problems and identify clear paths to growth.
Mill City Consulting clients span industries such as food and beverage, retail, personal services and professional services throughout Greater Lowell and surrounding communities. The group has supported businesses such as Soleil Salon & Spa, TeaMai Boba, Fork Included and The Perfect Cup Café, delivering thoughtful analysis and practical recommendations.
How the Engagement Process with Clients Works
The consulting process is structured, collaborative and faculty-guided:
- Discovery – Understand client goals, challenges and current state
- Assessment – Analyze market, operations and financial inputs
- Strategy Development – Build practical recommendations and KPIs
- Implementation Support – Help execute and refine solutions
- Evaluation and Follow-Up – Measure results and identify next steps
If your business is interested in partnering with Mill City Consulting, or if you would like to learn more, contact Daniele Parravano by email: Daniele_Parravano@uml.edu.
