VP of Operations

Robert Lorenz

***********@*****.*** 407-***-****

***** **. ******* **., **********, FL

Professional Summary

Results-driven Food & Beverage Executive with 30+ years of leadership in multi-unit restaurant operations, including casual dining, fine dining, QSR, fast casual, ghost kitchens, food trucks, and hotel foodservice. Proven success in international operations, P&L management, team leadership (1,000+ staff), restaurant openings (40+), menu engineering, vendor relations, and budget optimization. Experienced in leading revenue-generating teams exceeding $33M+ annually, while implementing scalable systems to drive efficiency and profitability.

Professional Experience

General Manager

Street Hibachi, Aventura, FL Dec 2023 – Present

Managed daily operations and led a team of 25 employees.

Improved food quality and standardized kitchen procedures.

Reduced labor costs by 20% through scheduling optimization.

General Manager / Consultant

Papamigos, Delray Beach, FL Mar 2023 – Oct 2023

Streamlined operational workflows and reduced inefficiencies.

Implemented recipe costing using Restaurant365.

Enhanced delivery accuracy and built customer recovery protocols.

Founder

Pizzahhh!, Moscow, Russia Apr 2021 – May 2022

Created a New York-style pizza ghost kitchen with scratch-made menu.

Closed due to geopolitical instability and U.S. sanctions.

VP of Operations

TGI FRIDAYS, Russian Federation Oct 2019 – Apr 2020

Improved EBITDA from -5% to +8% Q1 YoY by restructuring operations.

Implemented oil management systems, saving $200K+.

Oversaw 13 corporate units and supported 20 remotely; led 1,000+ employees.

VP of Operations & Development

Starlite Diners & Chicago Prime Steakhouse, Russian Federation 1995 – 2018

Opened 15 high-volume restaurants with $4.5M+ AUV.

Delivered ROI in 9 months on $1.1M CapEx diner import projects.

Opening General Director

Santa Fe & Hippotum Nightclub Complex, Russian Federation 1994 – 1995

Generated $1M/month, becoming Russia’s highest-grossing restaurant at the time.

District Manager – Business Development & Acquisitions

TR Acquisitions, New York, NY 1992 – 1994

Identified acquisition targets and led operational turnarounds.

Consultant

Ribs & More, New York, NY 1990 – 1992

Consultant / Opening General Manager

Park Ave Country Club, New York, NY 1989 – 1990

Opened golf-themed entertainment restaurant and managed day-to-day ops.

District Culinary Manager

Horn & Hardart, New York, NY 1985 – 1989

Tony Roma’s, Burger King, Bojangles’s Chicken, Arby’s, Din-O-Mat, Automat

Education

Palm Beach Junior College

Technical Skills

ServSafe Certified Restaurant365 (R365) Toast Margin Edge Crunchtime HotSchedules Rosnet

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