Brian Russell

General Manager

*** ******* ****** **. *********, Florida, 32084 512-***-**** ad31lx@r.postjobfree.com

Executive Summary

A highly dedicated professional with 10+ years as a general manager committed to excellence and contributing to the company’s success. A proven and results-oriented leader with experience of leading high performance teams and of successfully increasing efficiency and productivity while reducing costs and inefficiencies. Providing leadership and management to the business and fully responsible for the day- to-day operations. Strategic thinker recognized for ability to handle various organizational functions and lead teams in exceeding company goals. Able to analyze complex financial data and documentation. Excellent hands on management & people skills. A team player with effective interpersonal and communication skills, adept at building and maintaining productive relationships and building rapport with a diverse set of individuals. Possessing personality, energy & charisma to inspire, lead and develop staff. Able to communicate and present confidently, clearly and expressively. Able to think laterally to evaluate opportunities and risks and deliver innovative new solutions to challenges. Skilled negotiator and consultant dedicated to maintaining a reputation built on quality, service and uncompromising ethics. Resourceful, competent, accomplished; works skillfully under pressure and thrives in a challenging environment.

Core Qualifications

Organizational Leadership • Operations Management • Multi-million Dollar P&L Management • Strategic Planning & Research • Budget Strategy • Cost Reduction & Efficiency Optimization • Revenue Generation • Event Management and Promotion • Multi-million Dollar Sporting Events Management • Public Relations • Media and Communication • Negotiations & Presentation Skills • National Training & Staff Development • Internal Consulting

Professional Experience

General Manager, 2020 - 2024

Managed one of the most lucrative restaurants in Saint Augustine with over 85 employees during my tenure.

Organized multiple off site events each year to support local business’ and charities

Strategically looked forward to budgeting each year.

Advisor for the three owners on the business.

A leader to my staff each day.

Project Manager, Part Owner, 2018 - Present ABBQ Atlantic Beach, FL

Open a new concept from the ground up

Develop Opening Strategy to aid an ownership group new to the restaurant industry

Hire and Train over 60 new associates to help successfully open the business

Advisory to majority share holders

Business Associate, Manager, 2015 - 2018 Culhanes Atlantic Beach, FL

Collaborate with owners weekly and develop ideas to advance the profitability of the business

Hands on management

Develop schedules to increase profit margins

Train new associates with the culture of the business in mind

Incorporate new business trends and innovative ideas

General Manager, 2014 – 2015 Hawkers Jacksonville, FL

General Manager for a modern, progressive, privately owned restaurant group expanding to multiple locations throughout Northeast Florida.

Hands on management and close collaboration with the FOH and BOH operations.

Daily meetings with managers, key holders to ensure fluid communication

Project financial goals weekly based on current business trends and driv

9;;e business to meet these projections

Collaborate with Director of ;.-

Operations and owners weekly and develop strategies to profit margin while securing high standards of service and guest satisfaction

General Manager, 2013 - 2014 The Fish Camps Jacksonville, FL

Serve as General Manager for enterprising Restaurant, a privately owned company with four restaurants located in the Jacksonville area

Reach financial goals each week by executing company policies and procedures

Collaborate with owners weekly and develop strategies to increase profit margin

Oversee talent-acquisition and staff development efforts; hiring, training, mentoring and motivation

General Manager, 2007 - 2013 Fado Irish Pub Company Atlanta, GA

Serve as General Manager for the flagship location of Fado Irish Pub and Restaurant, a privately owned company with 1 locations throughout the United States

Serve as Publican setting tone for establishment, hosting customers and creating inclusive environment of friendliness, humor, hospitality and fine food and drink to ensure customer’s traditional Irish Pub experience

Collaborate with executive management; develop and enforce company policies, goals, objectives and procedures

Meet company financial objectives by preparing strategic forecasts and budgets, managing profit and loss accounting, analyzing variances, initiating corrective actions, establishing and monitoring financial controls and developing and implementing strategies to increase sales

Provide proactive leadership to management team and 70+ person staff

Oversee talent-acquisition and staff development efforts; hiring, training, mentoring and motivation

Attract patrons by developing and implementing marketing, advertising, public and community relations programs through television, radio and social media outlets; evaluating program results and identifying and tracking changing demand

Control purchases and inventory; negotiating prices and contracts, developing preferred supplier lists, reviewing usage reports, analyzing variances and taking corrective actions

Manage special events to include sporting events and vendor and supplier promotions; involved in marketing campaigns and publicity

Manage onsite events to include private parties accounting for 20% of business

Serve as a consultant to other markets; evaluating processes and identifying areas of opportunity and growth

Spearhead national initiative to administer event programs training and procedure

Responsible for sponsorship sales acquisition and custom marketing partnership packages

Responsible for achieving all performance related targets

Achieve company goals by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring and creating opportunities to add value to the business

Maintain professional and technical knowledge by tracking emerging trends in the hospitality industry; attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks and benchmarking state-of-the-art practices

Key Accomplishments

Generate $5M in annual revenue for four consecutive years

Consistently exceeded quarterly sales goals by 4 - 5%

Achieve record $2M in event-based revenue

Establish flagship location as the foremost leader in European sporting events garnering the region’s grand market share

Secure $5K to $28K in corporate sponsorship packages

President and General Manager, 2003- 2006 Fado Irish Pub & Restaurant Austin, TX

Responsible for daily operations, vendor and customer relations and events

Responsible for supervision, training and development of 50+ employees

Accountable for financial growth and promotion of business

Stabilized business and increased customer retention

Reduced and controlled expenses by managing vendor pricing and in depth product price analysis

Management of multiple projects to include budgeting and administration

Marketed promotions and events; continually identified new opportunities to drive sales

Prospected business opportunities through research, networking and mass media

As acting president, responsible for legal and business matters pertaining to the restaurant

Key Accomplishments

Meteoric sales increase from $2.5M to $3.5M over a 4-year period and successfully grew profits from 3% to a high of 8% while maintaining total operating costs

Nationally recognized for achieving company’s largest revenue-generating event; producing a record $206,000 for a one-day event

Generated annual revenue in excess of $3.5M

Supervised design and implementation of outdoor patio area driving additional annual revenue of $.5M

Manager, 1999- 2002 Fado Irish Pub & Restaurant Atlanta, GA

Effectively managed team to drive sales and profitability in a customer-focused, dynamic environment

Responsible for daily operations, vendor and customer relations and events

Executed shift management with a focus on consistency to bolster customer loyalty and repeat business

Managed special events to deliver a complete and unique customer experience

Developed positive direct relationships with key business contacts.

Implemented innovative programs increasing employee loyalty and reducing attrition; training and leading a large team by providing discipline and performance feedback.

Developed and initiated program standardizing company-wide employee training leading to increased customer satisfaction and retention

Trained, coached and mentored hundreds of staff members to ensure smooth transition to new locations throughout the country

Key Accomplishments

Praised for leadership abilities and staff development

Recognized for expert ability to increase revenue, reduce costs and optimize business

Education & Training

Master of Science in Criminal Justice, 1999 Kent State University Kent, OH USA

Bachelor of Science in American Politics and History, 1996 University of Ulster Belfast, Ulster Ireland

Technical Proficiencies

Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, Email,

Software programs specific to the hospitality industry – Aloha, Micros, Posi Touch

Awards and Honors

Member of the Hibernian Society Benevolent Association, 2008 - 2012

President of Fado Pubs, Austin Texas, 2004 - 2008

Saint Baldrick's Annual Charity Organizer, 2003 - Present

Habitat for Humanity Team Leader, 1997 - 1998

University of Ulster Political Spokesperson, 1993 – 1995

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