Michael Kwiatkowski

Rancho Santa Margarita, California 92688 510-***-**** (cell) adq3hr@r.postjobfree.com www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkwiatkowskibbq

Summary

Talented, driven, entrepreneurial hospitality, culinary, and real estate executive offering extensive restaurant, hotel, and amusement park experience; and culinary and restaurant management degrees. Opened and operated 100 restaurants for the Marriott Company. As well as being Operating Director Marriott VIP lounges for politicians and Celebrities. Specializing in menu expansion, improved customer satisfaction, and product development. Crafted and manufactured 50 retail culinary products, taking seven to market. Former lead public corporate board director who skillfully advanced board management, governance, and fiscal performance; and realized high ROI M&A opportunities.

Experience

Pacific Concept Systems II, Danville, CA

Chairman/CEO 1995 to Present

Brought in by Clorox to turn around and operate the Emil Villa restaurant chain as the Restaurant Group President for Clorox, growing the chain 300% to 11 restaurants with an average unit volume of $3.6M and 700 employees. By opening new locations, extended the brand and elevated market share, receiving the Restaurant Association Restaurateur of the Year and Arthur Anderson Corporate Fast Track restaurant awards.

To develop new restaurants, either acquired land and constructed new restaurants or leased buildings and renovated existing structures. Negotiated all purchase and lease contracts including tenant improvements.

Restructured the limited menu and added 30% more items which dramatically increased the average in-house check. Enhanced takeout sales from 9% to 17% by expanding the takeout menu and creating top selling culinary products (e.g., barbeque sauce, (Bronze metal National Award).

Outsourced product manufacturing, packaging, marketing, and retail distribution to Sara Lee, ensuring consistent quality.

By initiating a new employee training program, reduced staff turnover to just 15% annually. Successfully negotiated with employee unions during each respective contract year.

After selling the restaurant chain in 2009, generating a sizable ROI, reinvented the business as a real estate enterprise, selling high-end California properties for high net worth clients to offer them liquidity.

Negotiates commercial real estate deals to garner better terms for lessors. Finalizing a 10-year rental agreement worth $4.9M for a 13k sf property, exceeded the property monthly market value $7k per month. The agreement will maintain a triple-net (NNN) lease and decrease tenant improvement costs.

SeatNinja, Roseville, CA

Investor & Board Member 2012 to 2018

Significantly contributed to developing an iOS patented, trademarked SeatNinja application and customer companion app for fast, causal, and high-end restaurant chains; and raising $1M in seed money to fund start-up costs. Coauthored equity presentations for a venture capital firm, seeking a $3M investment.

Usage of the app enables restaurant managers to: understand average table turnover; book tables using an algorithm that integrates restaurant wait times and turnover; and review and revise the color coded seating chart that displays waitperson assignments, reservations, and the wait list.

Employing the consumer application, customers can: make reservations, take advantage of last minute specials, receive a text when their table is ready, and send a text to reserve a place in line. The app enables restaurants to increase sales and revenue and greatly reduce controllable costs and food shrinkage.

Helped market and sell the applications to 400 restaurants (e.g., Chevys Fresh Mex, Outback Steakhouse, Claims Jumpers, Mikuni chain, Joe’s Crab Shack) and several casinos.

Cedar Fair, LLC, Sandusky, OH 2000 to 2013

Lead Director, Board of Directors 2010 to 2013

Member, Board of Directors 2000 to 2013

Served as the Lead Director (2010-2013) of a publicly traded (NYSE) $3.2B partnership, one of the largest regional amusement-resort operators in the world. Led executive sessions and facilitated communication between company directors and the management team, improving board management and engagement.

Completed M&A for Cedar Fair to purchase Paramount Parks in North Carolina and SeaWorld Ohio for $1.25B and $150M respectively. Examined ROI for park capital expenditures, evaluating business metrics prior to making recommendations to management and the board. Sat on the Audit Committee (2001-2009), providing expert fiscal guidance.

Helped assure that the board followed corporate governance polices, conducted comprehensive searches, and carefully selected new directors and a CEO. Identified slates of directors and made recommendations for directors and committee members as a Nominating and Governance Committee member from 2000 to 2013.

Retained outside firms to evaluate executive compensation packages and alignment with SEC regulations and standards as the Chairman of the Compensation Committee (2004-2013). Ensured that CEO compensation met expectations for a publicly traded company.

Education, license, Certificate & Affiliations

Education: Culinary degree, Emerson College, Buffalo, New York. Associate of Arts degree in Restaurant Hotel Management, Erie Community College, Tonawanda, New York. Coursework in Restaurant Management, Bowling Green College, Huron, Ohio.

License: California Department of Real Estate, Broker, expires 2026.

Certificate: California Property Manager, 2011.

Professional Affiliations: Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, 1997-2019; Keiretsu Forum, 2010-present.

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