BENJAMIN ELIAS
Pinole,CA
Summary
Drive profitable growth in multi-unit hospitality operations through strategic P&L management and operational excellence. Oversee financial performance, business development, and new location development while maintaining high standards for customer experience, and food quality.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
President / Owner
CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT GROUP
Northern California
01.2018 - Current
- Provide executive leadership for restaurant operations, financial performance, strategic priorities, business development, management accountability, and growth initiatives for a Northern California restaurant operating and development company.
- Own and operate restaurant businesses and have led multiple locations and concepts, including franchised and independently operated foodservice businesses.
- Oversaw P&L performance, budgeting, forecasting, sales analysis, labor, food costs, occupancy costs, operating expenses, and location-level profitability to drive financial success.
- Lead new location development from site evaluation and lease negotiation through franchisor coordination, budgeting, design and construction oversight, equipment planning, permitting coordination, and opening preparation.
- Evaluate markets, sites, and business opportunities using financial projections, break-even analysis, operating requirements, and investment considerations.
- Led managers and operating teams through clear performance expectations, training, communication, accountability, and hands-on problem-solving.
- Negotiated and managed relationships with landlords, franchise organizations, vendors, contractors, and service providers to enhance collaboration and operational efficiency.
Campus Director & Senior Administrative Official
UNITEK COLLEGE
Fremont, CA
01.2017 - 07.2018
- Enhanced campus operations to streamline financial management, strategic planning, operational performance, student services, regulatory compliance, and organizational leadership.
- Directed budgeting efforts to ensure fiscal responsibility, inventory, service delivery, career services, academic records, and other administrative duties.
- Coordinated management teams to align with organizational goals and tracked performance measures for enrollment, retention, financial services, and customer satisfaction.
- Monitored compliance to ensure adherence to federal, state, and accreditation standards.
Campus Dean
DEVRY UNIVERSITY / KELLER GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Oakland, CA
01.2011 - 01.2016
- Held full P&L responsibility and maintained approximately 53% gross profit, among the highest within the DeVry University system.
- Formulated and executed annual budgets and negotiated contracts, leading financial, administrative, academic, and service functions to ensure alignment with organizational objectives.
- Directed center operations, overseeing budget and planning, business administration, human resources, information technology, security, academic advising, career services, enrollment management, and faculty to support institutional goals.
- Designed and delivered training programs for supervisors and management, enhancing leadership capabilities while serving as a graduate-level instructor.
Senior Director of Finance & Administration
DEVRY UNIVERSITY / KELLER GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Northern California
01.1999 - 01.2011
- Managed a $50M+ annual budget across seven Northern California campuses, overseeing finance, administration, information technology, real estate, food services, and campus operations.
- Led strategic planning and management of finance, administration, purchasing, information technology, real estate, workplace services, food services, campus security, bookstores, and student housing to optimize resource allocation and service delivery.
- Prepared annual staffing and operating budgets, quarterly forecasts, and financial analyses of budgets, reports, and business trends.
- Managed annual financial audit activities, developed talent programs, and delivered financial education to department managers while teaching graduate-level Operations Management.
- Collaborated with Admissions, Academics, Registrars, International Recruiting, Career Services, and other functions to enhance organizational performance and improve customer experience.
Education
Master of Arts - Organizational Management
Master of Science - Quality Assurance
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Management
Business Management Institute -
Western Association of College & University Business Officers
Skills
- P&L management
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Financial analysis
- Cost and margin management
- Strategic planning
- Operational KPIs
- Multi-unit operations
- Foodservice operations
- Location development
- Business development
- Contract negotiations
- Operational efficiency
- Labor productivity
- Guest satisfaction improvement
- Team performance enhancement
- Cross-functional leadership
- Leadership development
- Stakeholder relations
Personal Information
Title: PRESIDENT | HOSPITALITY & MULTI UNIT OPERATIONS | FINANCE & STRATEGY
Timeline
President / Owner
CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT GROUP
01.2018 - Current
Campus Director & Senior Administrative Official
UNITEK COLLEGE
01.2017 - 07.2018
Campus Dean
DEVRY UNIVERSITY / KELLER GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
01.2011 - 01.2016
Senior Director of Finance & Administration
DEVRY UNIVERSITY / KELLER GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
01.1999 - 01.2011
Master of Arts - Organizational Management
Master of Science - Quality Assurance
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Management
Business Management Institute -
Western Association of College & University Business Officers