Christopher Negley
Cranberry,PA
Summary
Senior Operations leader with over 30 years in restaurant and hospitality, overseeing 41 locations and $150 million in annual sales. Achieved a 20% increase in portfolio occupancy and reduced turnover by 47% through effective team development and strategic initiatives.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Divisional Vice President of Operations-41 locations
J&P Hospitality Management
10.2024 - Current
- Led hotel operations across 41 locations for Noble Investment Ownership Group, coordinating Area Operations, Sales, Facilities, Revenue Management, and Human Resources teams to enhance operational efficiency.
- Increased portfolio occupancy by more than 20%, driving significant revenue growth.
- Implemented a hire-train-retain program that reduced turnover by 47% and improved retention to 95%.
- Introduced two-way communication model to align teams, strengthen culture, and ensure consistent execution across all locations.
- Oversee $150 million in annual sales.
Vice President of Operations-24 locations
Swenson's Drive Ins
Ohio, Indiana
07.2022 - 09.2024
- Directed operations for 24 locations, overseeing Area Directors and teams in Food Truck, Catering, Training, and Facilities.
- Oversaw 80 managers and 700 team members across the brand.
- Managed $60 million in annual sales.
- Led a hiring, training, and retaining initiative that reduced company turnover from 176% to 98% within one year.
- Developed financial acumen within the team, resulting in 500-basis-point improvement in bottom-line results.
- Collaborated with Marketing to launch an advertising program, enhancing brand awareness in emerging markets.
Director of Operations-24 locations
Flynn Restaurant Group
Panera, PA
08.2020 - 08.2022
- Led market team of over 100 salaried managers and 900+ hourly associates to achieve operational objectives.
- Oversaw market-level performance in people management, sales growth, and profit maximization.
- Led development and execution of the brand's strategic operating approach across the market.
- Managed $55 million in annual sales.
- Developed Area Directors, Bakery Market Managers, Retail Catering Managers, and HR partners to enhance operational effectiveness.
Director of Operations — 80 locations
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
, FL, NC, SC, GA, AL, TN, VA
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Led market operations with 8 Regional Operations Directors and 1 Human Resources Partner to achieve operational excellence across 80 locations.
- Managed $200 million in annual sales.
- Oversaw 300 salaried managers and 3,000 hourly team members, ensuring effective leadership and operational alignment in a high-volume environment.
- Drove market staffing and development initiatives, enhancing team culture and profitability across 80 locations.
Regional Operations Director
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
, CA, OR
01.2011 - 01.2017
- Increased sales by over $6 million across two markets, driving revenue growth.
- Improved profitability by more than 400 basis points in both markets.
- Raised guest satisfaction scores in both markets to No. 1 in the organization.
- Delivered bonus results in both markets for four consecutive quarters each year from 2015 to 2017, achieving eight consecutive bonus quarters.
- Hired, trained, and retained 18 General Managers, enhancing leadership quality for 80 salaried managers.
General Manager — 2 locations
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
, AZ
01.2005 - 01.2011
- Led team of 8 salaried managers, 6 hourly managers, and over 100 hourly team members to achieve operational goals.
- Served as Senior General Manager for region, overseeing strategic initiatives from 2008 to 2011.
- Oversaw daily operations in a fast-paced casual dining environment.
- Managed staff recruitment, training, and performance evaluations.
- Implemented quality control measures to enhance customer satisfaction.
Senior Manager
The Cheesecake Factory
, AZ
01.2001 - 01.2005
- Oversaw $12 million in annual sales, ensuring revenue targets were met through effective management.
- Led a team of 150 hourly team members, fostering a collaborative environment to improve service delivery.
- Directed operations and guest service to enhance customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
General Manager
Gordon Biersch Restaurant Group
, AZ
01.1998 - 01.2001
- Drove $7 million in annual sales through targeted marketing initiatives and strategic planning.
- Managed 5 salaried managers and over 100 hourly team members, fostering a collaborative and efficient work environment.
- Directed high-volume brewery concept in Tempe, AZ, achieving operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
Education
Marketing
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZSkills
- P&L management
- Sales growth
- Profitability
- Operational efficiency
- Strategic planning
- Operations leadership
- Team development
- Retention
- Change leadership
- Guest experience
Accomplishments
- Served as Restaurant Manager for a private country club at age 22, overseeing food and beverage operations for 1,200 social and proprietary members.
- Managed more than 450 banquets annually and increased banquet sales by more than $400K in 1996.
- Promoted to General Manager at age 29 for a highly visible Las Vegas, NV restaurant generating $20 million in annual sales.
- Supported two new restaurant openings for a high-volume concept.
- Operated two certified training locations as Training General Manager and certified more than 100 managers-in-training over five years.
- Recognized as a Top 10 General Manager of the Quarter more than 16 times from 2006 to 2011.
- Oversaw 11 San Jose/San Francisco restaurants, grew annual sales from $40 million to $44 million, and produced two GM President's Club winners.
- Oversaw seven Portland restaurants, grew annual sales from $28 million to $30 million, and produced three GM President's Club winners.
- Earned Top Scorecard of the Year awards in 2015 and 2017.
- Nominated for Regional Operations Director of the Year in 2016.
- Directed operations for 80+ restaurants across seven states, moving the market from negative to positive profitability within one year and achieving the company's lowest turnover for two consecutive years.
- Achieved top guest satisfaction results across Flynn Restaurant Group's franchise and corporate cafes in 2021 and delivered the Panera brand's strongest retention performance from 2021 to 2022.
- Spearheaded a VP Operations initiative that improved training, retention, profitability, and bottom-line results by 500 basis points.
Leadership
Build accountable, high-performing teams and develop future leaders while creating operating cultures that sustain sales, profit, retention, and guest experience results.
Timeline
Divisional Vice President of Operations-41 locations
J&P Hospitality Management
10.2024 - Current
Vice President of Operations-24 locations
Swenson's Drive Ins
07.2022 - 09.2024
Director of Operations-24 locations
Flynn Restaurant Group
08.2020 - 08.2022
Director of Operations — 80 locations
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
01.2017 - 01.2020
Regional Operations Director
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
01.2011 - 01.2017
General Manager — 2 locations
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
01.2005 - 01.2011
Senior Manager
The Cheesecake Factory
01.2001 - 01.2005
General Manager
Gordon Biersch Restaurant Group
01.1998 - 01.2001
Marketing
Arizona State University