Dave Owen
Auburn
Summary
Seasoned Area Supervisor dedicated to streamlining operations and maximizing team performance. Driven to improve processes and reduce costs with hands-on management style. Bringing strong communication, planning and problem solving abilities demonstrated over 25 years in the field.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Area Director
Ezell's Famous Chicken
03.2022 - 02.2025
- Analyzed financial performance of area by monitoring budgets and expenses, reviewing financial statements and recommending appropriate actions.
- Increased revenue growth with the implementation of innovative marketing strategies and sales techniques.
- Developed high-performing teams through strategic recruitment, training, and performance management efforts.
- Created a culture of accountability among staff members by setting clear expectations regarding job responsibilities and performance goals consistent with company values.
- Monitored regional performance metrics, providing timely feedback and implementing corrective actions when necessary to ensure goals were achieved consistently across all locations.
- Performed audits to reduce and control loss and meet internal audit and compliance objectives.
Guest Services/Banquets
Washington National Golf Course
08.2021 - 03.2022
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
Area Director
Flynn Restaurant Group
10.2015 - 03.2021
- Demonstrated repeated flexibility in leading multiple markets and projects over a five-year time span
- Improved management turnover from over 100% to 80% in each area through manager one-on-ones focused on increased communication surrounding expectations and accountability
- Process improvement through implementation of routines, discipline and accountability
- Conducted onboarding and training of external talent and internal promotions
- Promoted to multi-unit position at transition from Panera LLC to FRG
Area Director
Flynn Restaurant Group
12.2019 - 06.2020
- Moved cafes from negative controllable profit of 700 basis points to positive 500 basis points all while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic
- Improved food cost from 29.3% to 28.6%
- Total labor decreased by 3%
- Implemented manager shift routines in all cafes and created an expectations document for general managers to align processes and deliver consistent results
Area Director
Flynn Restaurant Group
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Net sales 14.2 million
- Grew sales by 10% in 2019
- Built Broadway Panera catering from $400k sales in 2017 to 1.45 million
- Designed, developed and implemented systems, processes, routines and elevated accountability resulting in reduced food cost from 30% to 26%
Area Director
Flynn Restaurant Group
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Assisted in creation and facilitation of next level management training for potential general managers and area directors
- Drove culture shift from Panera LLC to Flynn Restaurant Group values
General Manager/Training General Manager
Panera Bread LLC
09.2012 - 10.2015
- Training General Manager Puyallup Panera June 2013 – September 2015
- Promoted to an underperforming café with a recent failed food safety audit and low customer satisfaction scores and achieved the following:
- Moved staffing from 30 associates to 60 associates over a two-year period
- Reduced turnover from 150% to 80%
- Improved guest satisfaction scores from below 40% to 60%
- Increased average weekly sales from 50K to 75K
- Food safety ratings improved to excellent from below satisfactory
- Developed 3 assistant managers to general manager
- Trained 12 external manager hires
- General Manager Lacey Panera December 2012 – June 2013
General Manager/Training General Manager
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (RRGB)
07.2006 - 09.2012
- General Manager Lakewood Red Robin November 2011 – September 2012
- Smaller footprint model for new store openings
- Critical thinking for improving table turns and maximizing storage and ordering systems
- General Manager Puyallup Red Robin July 2010 – November 2011
- Lowered prime cost by 300 basis points
- Promoted 2 assistant managers to general manager
- Promoted 3 associate trainers to shift supervisor
- Training General Manager Southcenter Red Robin July 2006 – July 2010
- 2007 yearly sales 6.323 million
- First restaurant over 6 million yearly sales
- Highest volume location by over $600k
- Transitioned all systems June 2006 from franchise to RRGB
- Trained 40+ assistant managers and 3 general managers exceeding other training stores by 25%
- RRGB Presidents Club 2007 - Elite recognition granted to less than 2% of all GMs
- 2009 Region General Manager of the year
General Manager/Training General Manager
Great Western Dining LLC
05.1998 - 07.2006
- Training General Manager Southcenter Red Robin October 2003 – July 2006
- General Manager Burlington Red Robin May 2000 – October 2003
- General Manager Olympia Red Robin May 1998 – May 2000
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WASkills
- Employee Development
- Team Leadership
- Operational Oversight
- Technical skills
- Multi-Site Leadership
- Efficiency Improvement
- Inventory Management
- Project management
- Project planning
Certification
- Certified [Job Title], [Company Name] - [Timeframe]
Awards
Servsafe Certified
Project Manager Certificate
Timeline
Area Director
Ezell's Famous Chicken
03.2022 - 02.2025
Guest Services/Banquets
Washington National Golf Course
08.2021 - 03.2022
Area Director
Flynn Restaurant Group
12.2019 - 06.2020
Area Director
Flynn Restaurant Group
01.2018 - 01.2019
Area Director
Flynn Restaurant Group
10.2015 - 03.2021
Area Director
Flynn Restaurant Group
01.2015 - 01.2017
General Manager/Training General Manager
Panera Bread LLC
09.2012 - 10.2015
General Manager/Training General Manager
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (RRGB)
07.2006 - 09.2012
General Manager/Training General Manager
Great Western Dining LLC
05.1998 - 07.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Western Washington University
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