Corey Neamo
Washington,DC
Summary
Hospitality executive with 15 years of progressive leadership experience driving operational excellence, innovation, and profitability across a multi-concept restaurant group. Advanced from server to Director of Operations, overseeing 12 restaurant brands and a distillery under Metropolitan Hospitality Group (MHG). Expert in designing scalable systems, optimizing labor, implementing technology, and leading cross-functional initiatives that enhance guest experience and financial performance. Passionate about transforming operations through innovation that connects people, process, and purpose, aligning directly with CAVA’s mission to make eating well simple and joyful.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Operations
Metropolitan Hospitality Group (MHG)
01.2021 - Current
- Lead operations for 12 high-volume restaurants and a distillery generating $44M+ in annual revenue. Drive enterprise-level innovation and efficiency through systems that align culinary creativity with operational simplicity.
- - Built and launched live P&L dashboards and SPLH labor KPIs, improving accountability and achieving seven-figure cost savings.
- - Directed multi-unit restructuring to enhance accountability and execution speed across leadership layers.
- - Led innovation pilots including POS modernization, catering expansion, and distillery retail growth; scaled successful pilots enterprise-wide.
- - Partnered with Culinary, Finance, and Technology teams to simplify prep processes and menu execution through process engineering.
- - Mentored 80+ managers to adopt a data-driven and hospitality-first mindset aligned with growth objectives.
Senior General Manager
Metropolitan Hospitality Group (MHG)
01.2017 - 2021
- Managed six restaurants across DC and Northern Virginia, implementing new systems, training programs, and profitability improvements.
- - Improved labor cost efficiency by 2–3% via scheduling optimization and real-time P&L visibility.
- - Opened multiple new concepts, leading pre-opening operational design, hiring, and post-launch stabilization.
- - Championed guest experience innovation, leveraging data and feedback loops to improve service consistency and review scores.
Assistant GM → General Manager
Metropolitan Hospitality Group (MHG)
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Directed flagship location with $5M+ annual sales, leading a 100+ member team through rapid growth and brand evolution.
- - Achieved top regional OpenTable ratings for three consecutive years through hospitality-focused training and accountability.
- - Reduced turnover 20% by building engagement programs and promoting internal career development.
- - Served as operations pilot site for menu rollouts and process tests, later scaled companywide.
Server / Supervisor (DRS)
Metropolitan Hospitality Group (MHG)
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Promoted from server to supervisor through consistent leadership and operational excellence; supported early concept launches and service training programs.
Education
Leadership & Management Coursework - Executive Development
MHG
Skills
- Operations Innovation & Process Improvement Technology Integration & Equipment Optimization Multi-Unit Leadership & Change Management P&L Management & Financial Strategy Cross-Functional Collaboration Menu & Culinary Systems Integration Labor Efficiency & Workforce Planning Strategic Growth & Operational Agility Data-Driven Decision Making Leadership Development & Coaching
Certification
- ServSafe Certified
- Continuing professional development in Financial Analytics, AI, and Hospitality Innovation
Professional Highlights
- - Spearheaded companywide labor optimization using AI-driven scheduling and cross-department reporting integrations.
- - Introduced distillery product innovation and retail programs that diversified revenue channels and enhanced brand synergy.
- - Developed and launched a catering service model that improved efficiency with minimal startup cost.
- - Partnered with vendors to test and validate emerging restaurant technologies in real-world environments.
Alignment with CAVA’s Mission
Corey brings a proven record of operational transformation and innovation that improves both guest experience and team execution—embodying CAVA’s core values of Generosity, Curiosity, Agility, Positivity, and Collective Ambition.
Timeline
Director of Operations
Metropolitan Hospitality Group (MHG)
01.2021 - Current
Senior General Manager
Metropolitan Hospitality Group (MHG)
01.2017 - 2021
Assistant GM → General Manager
Metropolitan Hospitality Group (MHG)
01.2013 - 01.2017
Server / Supervisor (DRS)
Metropolitan Hospitality Group (MHG)
01.2010 - 01.2012
Leadership & Management Coursework - Executive Development
MHG