Mark Cantarella
Email: ****.**********@*****.*** Phone: 202-***-****
Experienced Sales and Management Professional
A driven, knowledgeable, and award-winning sales and management professional with a focus on the Big Picture.
Strong expertise in lead generation, sales support, operations, marketing and finance. Committed to developing staff members for the next step in their career.
Areas of Expertise
Sales
Change Management
Logistics
Customer Relations
Financial Analysis
Supply Chain Management
Strategic Planning
Sales Lead Generation
Merchandising
Labor Optimization
Product Development
Brand Management
Risk Assessment
Leader Development
Social Network Marketing
Professional Experience
On the Mark Restaurant Consultancy 2013-CURRENT
Founder
A Full-Service Restaurant Consulting Firm specializing in Marketing, Operations, Recruiting, Financial Agility, Staff Retention and Critical Writing.
Services Include:
Driving Top Line Revenue by increasing “Butts in Seats,” check average and return frequency
Evaluation of Who We Really Are vs Who We Think We Are vs Who our Guests Think We Are
Multi-Unit and Regional Director services developing and maintaining Stability, Consistency and Branding
Menu Development with recipes, pricing and HAACP pathing
Formation of a Mission Statement to guide Future Growth
Developing Leaders to continue the growth of your business
Migrating of menus and recipes to more Modern, Functional POS Systems
Creation of Special Events such as Wine Dinners, Cooking Classes and Date Night
Employee tastings and trainings focusing on Chef’s Specials, Beer, Wine and Liquor
Marketing support revolving around the 4-Walls and social Media
Tailored Holiday Events specifically designed for Client’s Demographics
Leadership Recruitment, Staff Retention and Hourly Staff Elevation
Chima Brazilian Steakhouse 2012-2013
General Manager
Turned around an under-performing restaurant by implementing a variety of strategic changes and developing new, more in-depth trainings for employees. Conducted intensive classes focused on customer service and wine knowledge resulting in increased service and higher sales. Created monthly drink specials and wine features.
Accomplishments Include;
Utilized strong technical writing skills to create detailed wine descriptions, develop training manuals and design recipe cards to improve kitchen consistency
Successfully increased the secret shopper average score from 91% to 97% which included 3 consecutive perfect scores
Provided the outline, and contributed edits, to the Corporate Hourly Team Member Handbook
Orchestrated “The Chima Catering Program” that immediately drove sales and increased cash flow to the bottom line. Designed and had built a transportable Rodizio; Planned and priced the Off-Site Catering menu; Developed Catering Service Standards
Migrated menus from paper to iPads
1st & Fresh, A division of Aramark 2010-2012
Multi-Unit General Manager
Responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a multi-million dollar per year catering and conference services organization with a staff of 75 and a growing number of clients. Played an integral role in the organization being profitable within less than a year. Additionally responsible for managing 3 other profit centers; Pew Charitable Trusts, BCBS and Girl Scouts of America.
Accomplishments Include;
Utilized strong organizational skills to coordinate catering services and special events
Routed delivery vans and coordinated catering drop offs and pick-ups
Grew core customers by 20% by focusing on client satisfaction, reducing delivery times and developing exceptional marketing strategies
Assured adherence to Aramark Total Volume Discounts Guidelines
Reduced payroll 8% by hiring more staff and eliminating overtime hours
Managed the growth of conference rooms from 16 to 53 at Pew Charitable Trusts
Facilitated the service of 2,500 meals per day to over 800 campers and counselors for The Girl Scouts of America
Recruited, hired and trained staff members, volunteers, interns and managers, for 4 Girl Scout camps in the Washington, DC area
Rosa Mexicano 2008-2009
General manager
Accountable for overseeing 120 staff members in a fine dining restaurant with revenue of over $10 million per year. Reviewed and redesigned FOH and BOH training materials. Led the opening of two restaurants; requiring recruiting staff, brand management and developing effective marketing strategies.
Accomplishments Include;
Saved the restaurant over 5% by implementing a checkbook mentality.
Lowered labor costs by 3%; resulting in a savings of $45,000
Negotiated contracts to ensure uninterrupted supply and reduced costs of all components of the brand’s signature cocktail, Frozen Pomegranate Margarita, bringing the cost down to 7.5%
Planned and executed a full kitchen renovation including layout changes, equipment purchases, capital expenditure and preventative maintenance contracts
Daily Grill 1998-2008
East Coast Beverage Director/General Manager
Managed a $5.5 million per year upscale casual restaurant with 75 employees. Supervised the beverage program for 6 restaurants across the east coast; negotiated contracts and designed beverage lists and menus. Responsible for driving sales through marketing and promotional strategies.
Accomplishments Include;
Increased regional beverages sales by 14% through a successfully marketing campaign.
Created a business plan which increased quarterly revenue for the 6 restaurants
Created the corporate-wide Merchandising Program selling clothing, recipe books, proprietary steaksauce and glassware
Successfully broke the yearly $1 million net income milestone, grew sales by an average of 6% each year, and increased private dining and catering sales by 120%
Coordinated the upgrade from 20/20 Hindsight to Aloha and led the building of the product, item and recipe databases
Education/Certifications
Bachelors of Science, Economics, the George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
ServeSafe Certified, Level 1 Sommelier