General Manager Operational Excellence

Leland F. Brigham 817-***-**** cell • *************@***.*** • LinkedIn Profile

Senior-Level Operations Leader

Driving Revenue Growth, Operational Excellence and Team Development

Seasoned restaurant industry executive with nearly two decades of experience driving sales growth and operational excellence for major casual dining chains. Proven track record of revitalizing underperforming locations, developing high-performing teams, and consistently exceeding revenue targets across multiple store locations. Expertise in all facets of restaurant management, including financial oversight, staff development, customer service enhancement, and successful new store launches.

Areas of Expertise

Sales Management - Financial Management - Profitability Improvement - Team Building - Staff Development - Training Program Development - Operations Management - Financial/Inventory Control - Performance Evaluation - Leadership - Hiring Strategies - Employee Retention - Restaurant Management - Retail Management - Quality Control - Guest Services Management - Strategic Planning - Change Management - Crisis Management - Event Planning - Startup Operations - Food Safety - Personalized Service Delivery - Cost Control

Key Leadership Achievements in Revenue Growth

Restored underperforming district to meet corporate standards within 9 months, managing 7 stores producing $33 million in annual revenues across Texas and New Mexico.

Increased annual sales by 30% (from $2.7 million to $3.5 million) as General Manager in Fort Worth, Texas, with consistent 10-11% yearly revenue growth.

Achieved General Manager of the Year recognition for three years (2007, 2008, and 2010) while managing my store in Fort Worth, Texas.

Led my store in Mesquite, Texas, to become the first in Region 8 to achieve $5.2 million in annual sales and produce $1 million in Net Operating Income.

Successfully managed startup operations for new store openings, including hiring and training 125-150 personnel within 30 days, resulting in highly successful launches generating $4-5 million in annual sales.

Executive Career Progression

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 3/05 – 6/24 District Manager, District 12, Dallas/Arlington/Albuquerque (8/22 – 6/24)

•Sales Management: Planned and managed daily restaurant and retail sales of a high-volume district with 7 stores, producing $33 million in annual revenues ($25 million in restaurant, $8 million in retail). Managed 4 stores in North Texas and 3 in Albuquerque.

•Financial/Profitability: Increased profitability by controlling payroll, food costs, and inventory shrinkage.

•Team Building: Developed and implemented productive hiring and training strategies to reduce employee turnover to 98% from 108% previously.

Achievements:

•Revenues/Profits: Successfully restored this underperforming district to meet designated corporate standards in the first 9 months after I took over. Designed and implemented training programs to support team members in learning how to deliver high-quality food products and services consistently.

General Manager, Store #203, Arlington, Texas (9/21 – 8/22)

•Sales Management: Planned and managed daily sales, guest services, and kitchen operations for a high-volume store grossing $7 million annually ($5.5 million restaurant, $1.5 million retail).

•Financial/Inventory Control: Continually reviewed and monitored payroll, food, and inventory shrinkage to control operational costs and increase profitability.

•Staff Development/Training: Recruited, hired, trained, developed, evaluated performance, and promoted a staff of 105 personnel, including the Retail Manager and two Associate Managers (Kitchen, Labor).

General Manager continued…

Achievements:

•Operations Management: Reviewed and implemented policies and processes to improve operational excellence for food quality/presentation, personalized guest services, traffic growth, uniform standards, sanitation, and profitability.

Masters of Cracker Barrel Business Seminar (3-Day), Lebanon, Tennessee

General Manager, Store #205, Fort Worth, Texas (1/19 – 10/21, 1/06 – 3/12)

•Sales Management: Successfully improved daily sales, guest services, and kitchen operations during my first 6 years of managing this store from January 2006 through March 2012. Increased annual sales by 30% to $3.5 million from $2.7 million annually. Significantly improved operational excellence within the first six months and continued to maintain. Revenues increased 10%-11% each year. Retail stores increased annual sales to $.7 million. During my second time managing this store for almost 3 years, from January 2019 to October 2021, I increased sales and led the 8 District stores during COVID-19. The retail store increased sales to $.9 million annually in 2011/2012.

•Financial/Inventory Control: Increased profitability by managing payroll/food costs and inventory shrinkage while improving food presentation and personalized guest service.

•Staff Development/Training: Recruited, hired, trained, developed, evaluated performance, and promoted a staff of 85 personnel, including the Retail Manager, 4 Associate Managers (Kitchen, Labor, Supply/ Maintenance, and Human Resources), and one Employee Training Coordinator.

Achievements:

•General Manager of the Year: 2010, 2008, 2007.

•Training Store – 2010-2011: Selected by management to lead the 2-month management training of new Managers-In-Training (MIT).

General Manager, Store #197, Mesquite, Texas (3/12 – 1/19)

•Sales Management: Successfully increased annual sales by 30% to $5.2 million from $4 million. Revenues increased 10%-11% each year. Retail stores increased sales to $1.2 million. Hired, trained, and managed a team of 125 personnel, including the Retail Manager, 4 Associate Managers (Kitchen, Labor, Supply/ Maintenance, and Human Resources), and one Employee Training Coordinator.

Achievements:

•Revenues/Profits: Trained and built a team that became the first store in Region 8 to achieve sales of $5.2 million annually and produce $1 million of Net Operating Income.

Senior Associate General Manager, Store #149, Denton, Texas (3/05 – 12/05)

•Management Training: Completed Manager-In-Training (MIT) in a $4 million store.

Achievements:

•Startup Operations: Participated with the team that planned and managed startup operations to open a new store in Weatherford, Texas. Hired, trained, and supervised 125 personnel for 30 days to prepare for a highly successful Grand Opening of a store that produced $4 million in annual sales.

Professional Development

Red Lobster/Darden Restaurants (General Mills)

•Certificate, National Institute of Food Safety and Sanitation, Orlando, Florida

•Certificate, Managing Productivity and Diversity in the Workplace, Chicago, Illinois

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