General Manager

MICHAEL GILLESPIE, MBA, MA

*** ****** *** #*** ********* Springs, FL 32714

386-***-**** *************@*****.***

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Top-performing, highly-educated management professional with many years of proven, progressive experience in all aspects of restaurant management, including human-resources management and employee training and development. History of turning around under-performing operations to rank at the top in sales, profits, customer service, food quality, turnover, and waste control. Promotes a positive work environment to optimize staff productivity and retention, and excels at developing personnel for higher-level positions. Proactive self-starter who welcomes additional responsibilities.

- CORE COMPETENCIES -

Operations Management | Project Management | Team Building | Training and Development | Marketing and Promotions

Budgeting | Cost Control | Report Preparation | Inventory Control | Loss Prevention | Regulatory Compliance | P&L

Catering Operations | Start Up Operations | Facility and Equipment Maintenance | Employee Retention | Hiring

- PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE -

Training GM and Acting District Manager – Panera Bread, Sanford, Florida 2005 – Present

Direct all daily operations at a new bakery café, in addition to overseeing district operations. Plan and execute catering for special events. Control food, labor, and waste. Assist with marketing and promotions. Hold full P&L accountability.

Built largest catering volume in market $350K per year and set company record for opening week sales of $140K

Ranked in top 10% in profitability among 150 stores, and earned highest food-quality score in Florida market (94.8%)

Added to corporate training team in 2006 to train new managers, and earned above average ratings on corporate audits

Developed 6 managers into GMs, 12 hourly managers into salaried managers, and 20+ associates into hourly managers

Hired, trained, and developed staff of 65 to open new bakery café, and achieved highest food-safety score in franchise

Worked with franchise owners to develop programs to minimize turnover and increase sales and development growth

Manager – Red Lobster, Altamonte Springs, Florida 2001 – 2005

Completed rigorous corporate training program, earning certification to manage all aspects of both front-of-house and heart-of-house operations. Managed and coordinated over 95 personnel and services. Acted as GM during GM’s absence.

Led restaurant from ranking in the bottom to the top in every category, including top 7% in earnings, among 700 stores

Ranked in top 5% in performance out of 110 stores in division, and consistently earned 17% return (3% above goal)

Ranked in top 5% nationally in QA scores (out of 600 stores) and top 10% in guest satisfaction (up from bottom 10%)

Met all corporate goals every year, ranked #1 in turnover among division stores, and set store record for waste control

Completed restaurant set up and a strategic 4-month assignment for the opening of a restaurant in Celebration, Florida

Mentored new employees and managers, and provided input to corporate as a test-market facility for new menus, etc.

Lead Trainer / Server / Cook – Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Daytona Beach, Florida 1994 – 2000

Qualified in all restaurant positions, including all cooking positions, and conducted weekly inventory count of small wares.

Supported 6 consecutive years of sales growth, and set one-day, companywide sales record of 20K in sales in 7 hours

Hired over 50 employees, trained all new servers and cooks, and cut turnover 30% by improving training and standards

Consistently rated excellent by manager on performance reviews, and re-opened location in Naples, Florida, in 1998

Ranked as a top-producer on numerous shifts as a server, and completed multiple seminars focusing on guest service

- EDUCATION -

Master of Arts (MA), Public Administration – University of Phoenix (2010)

Courses included Implementing Organizational Initiatives, Corporate Governance, and Marketing Management

Master of Business Administration (MBA), Human Resource Management – University of Phoenix (2008)

Courses included Conflict Management, Transformational Management, and Human Capital Development

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Political Science – University of Central Florida, Orlando (2000)

Seminars in Public Administration and HR Decision Making and Problem Solving

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