Davanna Witcher
Lake Ridge,VA
Summary
Dedicated, hardworking restaurant management professional with extensive daily planning and operations experience. Skilled in staff training and development. Food service professional adept at FOH and BOH operations. Demonstrated team leader with excellent staff management skills. Highly proactive manager with 20 years of experience in team leadership in the restaurant and hospitality industries. Background includes sales, management and front and back-of-the-house operations.
Business professional with solid history in high-level management roles, delivering impactful leadership and strategic direction. Known for fostering collaborative environment and achieving consistent results through adaptability and strong relationship-building. Proficient in operational management and strategic planning, embodying reliability and results-oriented mindset.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior General Manager
Ipic Cinemas/City Perch Kitchen and Bar @ Pike & Rose
10.2024 - Current
- Developed strategic plans to enhance operational efficiency across multiple departments.
- Led cross-functional teams to implement process improvements and drive organizational goals.
- Mentored junior managers, fostering leadership skills and promoting professional development.
- Streamlined communication channels between departments to improve project collaboration and execution.
- Oversaw budget management, ensuring optimal allocation of resources for various initiatives.
- Analyzed market trends to identify growth opportunities and inform business strategy decisions.
- Established key performance indicators to measure success and drive continuous improvement efforts.
General Manager of Operations
Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas
09.2021 - 10.2024
- Spearheaded overhaul of company best practices, leading to significantly increased staff retention rates and top-ranking as industry leader
- Created, managed and executed business plan and communicated company vision and objectives to motivate teams
- Designed modern employee recognition program which boosted productivity and improved morale
- Developed and implemented high-quality work environment as measured through employee satisfaction ratings
- Established and administered annual budget with effective controls to prevent overages, minimize burn rate and support sustainability objectives
- Devised, deployed and monitored processes to boost long-term business success and increase profit levels 12%
- Discovered areas of improvement by generating weekly operational and sales reports
General Manager
Benihana;s Grill And Teppanyaki
07.2019 - 05.2021
- Organized budgets, oversaw P&Ls and achieved margin targets consistently to stay on track with growth plans
- Increased profits by 3.5% within one year through restructure of business line
- Enhanced operational success through effective staffing, strong training, adherence to food safety and sanitation regulations and well-timed customer service
- Established and administered annual budget with effective controls to prevent overage and support sustainability objectives
- Increased revenue streams by reducing costs, managing schedules and performing variance and risk analysis to implement corrective actions
General Manager
Pei Wei Asian Diner
12.2016 - 07.2019
- Carefully interviewed, selected, trained and supervised staff.
- Clearly and promptly communicated pertinent information to staff, such as large reservations or last minute menu changes.
- Organized special events in the restaurant, including receptions, promotions and corporate luncheons.
- Correctly calculated inventory and ordered appropriate supplies.
- Strategically developed effective marketing plans to increase sales and profits while managing costs.
- Actively participated in ongoing customer service programs to build sales and rapport in the community.
- Led and directed team members on effective methods, operations and procedures.
- Maintained a safe working and guest environment to reduce the risk of injury and accidents.
- Effectively managed payroll and timekeeping, including completion of the proper paperwork for new hires and terminations.
- Created fun team building activities to engage staff in up-selling to meet revenue targets.
- Met, greeted and encouraged feedback from customers and used feedback to implement positive changes within the restaurant.
- Achieved highest employee retention rate in the region.
Proprietor
Carrabbas Italian Grill
07.2013 - 11.2016
- Carefully interviewed, selected, trained and supervised staff.
- Interacted positively with customers while promoting hotel facilities and services.
- Organized special events in the restaurant, including receptions, promotions and corporate luncheons.
- Carefully developed a lucrative annual food and beverage marketing plan and strict budget to maximize profits.
- Prepared for and executed new menu implementations.
- Met, greeted and encouraged feedback from customers and used feedback to implement positive changes within the restaurant.
- Promoted the business through participation in and sponsorship of community events.
- Skillfully interacted with external vendors to obtain the best quality in pricing and product.
- Led and directed team members on effective methods, operations and procedures.
- Strategically developed effective marketing plans to increase sales and profits while managing costs.
- Quickly identified problem situations and skillfully resolved incidents to the satisfaction of involved parties.
Education
Associate of Arts - Business
Community College of The Air Force
1985
High School Diploma - undefined
Richard C. Lee
1984
Skills
- Natural leader
- Service-oriented
- Strong work ethic
- Passion for customer satisfaction
- Proven cost-control expert
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Results-oriented
- Business operations expertise
- Inventory control and record keeping
- Trained in performance and wage reviews
- Food service background
- Marketing and advertising
- Written communication
- Performance evaluation and monitoring
- Quality assurance
- Staff hiring
- Business leadership
- Strategic planning
- Hiring and onboarding
- Management team building
- Time management abilities
- Adaptability
- Inventory management
Work History
Goldsboro, NC
Timeline
Senior General Manager
Ipic Cinemas/City Perch Kitchen and Bar @ Pike & Rose
10.2024 - Current
General Manager of Operations
Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas
09.2021 - 10.2024
General Manager
Benihana;s Grill And Teppanyaki
07.2019 - 05.2021
General Manager
Pei Wei Asian Diner
12.2016 - 07.2019
Proprietor
Carrabbas Italian Grill
07.2013 - 11.2016
High School Diploma - undefined
Richard C. Lee
Associate of Arts - Business
Community College of The Air Force
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