David Dennis
Houston
Summary
Experienced manager with 25+ years in the food and beverage industry. Skilled in task organization, sales growth, and resource maximization. Proficient in Front of House (FOH) and Back of House (BOH) operations. Proven leader with strong staff development and recruiting abilities.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Franchise Business Partner
McDonald’s USA
Houston, TX
04.2022 - Current
- Works as the lead contact and business coach to assigned franchisees
- Cultivates productive, influential working relationships that result in improved business results
- Accountable to help Franchisee improve customer satisfaction, Guest Counts, and sales & cash flow
- Protects the McDonald’s brand by identifying and addressing issues that may pose risks to customer experience, and ensures brand perceptions are addressed appropriately
- Identifies root cause issues at the organization and restaurant levels through data analysis, in-person observation, and stakeholder conversations
- Partners with Franchisee to detail organizational strengths/weaknesses and assist the Franchisee in his/her development of structured business growth plans and objectives
- Conducts structured coaching activities (i.e., Business Reviews, Business Planning Sessions, Systems Excellence Visits, etc.) for assigned Franchisee’s organization
- Improves Franchisee’s capabilities by leveraging optional company tools and available resources, Field Operations Consultant support & expertise, and best practices across business functions (e.g., finance, marketing, operations, etc.)
- Utilizes data and analytics from all Field Operations Consultant evaluations to guide their decision-making and time allocation in service of Franchisee
Field Operations Consultant
McDonald’s
Houston, TX
11.2018 - 04.2022
Bar Manager
Babins Seafood House
Houston, TX
01.2017 - 11.2018
- Managed the daily FOH, bar operations and supervised approximately 25 team members
- Monitored labor and product costs to ensure maximum profitability
- Conducted individual and group coaching and training classes for new and existing team members
- Developed weekly schedules to ensure 100% Bon Temps Hospitality
Senior Restaurant Manager
The Cheesecake Factory
Lenox Square Mall/Perimeter Mall (GA), Houston Galleria Mall (TX)
04.2010 - 11.2017
- Responsible for supervising over 100 FOH and BOH team members to ensure operational efficiency, cleanliness, and a customer-friendly environment where service delivery and product quality are paramount
- Optimize profits by controlling daily food, beverage, and labor costs to minimize waste and maximize profitability
- Consistently maintain high levels of cleanliness, organization, storage, and sanitation of food and beverage products to ensure quality standards are met
- Develop and maintain exceptional customer service standards; monitor restaurant consistently to ensure standards are met
- Hire and train team members that provide hospitable, professional service while adhering to company policies
- Assign tasks and oversee the direction of team members to ensure compliance with food safety procedures and quality control guidelines
- Coach and develop all new team members through performance reviews and re-train sessions
- Schedule and direct staff in daily work assignments to maximize productivity
- Conduct daily pre-shift and weekly departmental meetings to ensure organizational efficiency
Associate Head Coach, Men’s Basketball
Georgia Perimeter College
Decatur, GA
08.1999 - 03.2015
- Worked closely with renowned head coach Alfred Barney for 15 seasons to transform the basketball program into a regional powerhouse amassing seven Regular Season Championships, eight GJCAA Tournament Championships, and six NJCAA National Tournament appearances, including a final-four finish in 2002-2003
- Assisted in running the daily operations of the basketball program, including crafting and overseeing the operating budget, managing the team’s equipment needs, coordinating the travel itinerary, sourcing sponsorship opportunities, and selecting and supervising team managers
- Coordinated scheduling as well as prepared practice schedules and game plans
- Crafted and executed a scouting plan that includes evaluating and ranking players
- Recruited and met with prospective student-athletes and their parents to discuss their experiences, goals, and the GPC program
- Developed, coordinated, and oversaw strengthening and conditioning program
- Monitored the academic performance and progress of student athletes including serving as a counselor and mentor
- Co-wrote and enforced team rules and regulations
- Organized the mentoring program with Austin Road Elementary School
- Possessed a stellar track record of graduating student-athletes prepared for success at the next level
Kitchen Manager
Chili’s Bar and Grill
Dunwoody, GA
06.2009 - 03.2010
- Supervised over 70 kitchen team members to ensure the effective and efficient management of the kitchen
- Optimized profits by controlling daily food, beverage, and labor costs to minimize waste and maximize profitability
- Hired, trained, and cross-trained team members to ensure we consistently provide hospitable, professional service to our guests
- Consistently conducted inspections to ensure that the overall cleanliness of the kitchen met Ecosure guidelines
- Developed and executed a plan for maintaining appropriate inventory levels while ensuring appropriate spending patterns
General Manager, Training Store
Houlihan’s Restaurant
Atlanta, GA
07.2004 - 12.2008
- Supervised over 65 team members to ensure the effective and efficient daily management of the restaurant
- Created and managed budgets adhering to the guidelines spelled out by the Corporate Office
- Developed a staffing plan for the restaurant to ensure maximum output of profit, people, and product
- Designed and implemented marketing campaigns to increase sales and community awareness
- Outlined and executed a Staff Management and Development Plan that included a mix of individual coaching and training classes for team members at various levels
- Scheduled and directed staff in daily work assignments to maximize productivity
- Performed various operations duties such as evaluating team members, developing annual business plans, and conducting periodic inventories
General Manager
Clubhouse Restaurant
Atlanta, GA
11.2003 - 03.2004
- Supervised a mix of over 100 hourly and seven salaried team members to ensure the efficient operation of the dining room area
- Performed all human resource functions including, but not limited to recruiting, staffing, and conducting performance evaluations
- Scheduled and directed staff in daily work assignments to maximize productivity
- Developed a business plan for the restaurant that included sales and profitability forecasts as well as marketing and advertising campaigns
- Monitored and tracked progress toward sales and profitability goals; made adjustments to ensure we were on track to hit the goals
- Conducted monthly inventories
- Developed and implemented training guidelines to support team members increase their delivery of high-quality service
- Created a work environment that fostered teamwork, ownership, and camaraderie
- Developed and implemented marketing and advertising campaigns to increase restaurant sales and awareness in the community
Assistant Coach, Men’s Basketball
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, AL
08.1989 - 08.1993
- Served under Coach Alfred Barney and helped build a solid basketball program that yielded a two-time SIAC Player of the Year, an SIAC Scoring Champion, and a Division II First Team All-American
- Managed the day-to-day operations of the men’s basketball program that included the following responsibilities:
- Prepared and developed practice and game plans
- Scouted and recruited potential student-athletes
- Developed and coordinated the strengthening and conditioning program
- Monitored the academic performance and progress of student-athletes including serving as a counselor and mentor
- Followed university guidelines for managing the athletic budget
Education
Marketing and Business Management
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, ALBusiness Management
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MIMarketing and Business Management
Morehouse College
Atlanta, GASkills
- Staff Training and Development
- Staff Scheduling
- Staff Recruitment and Hiring
- Marketing and Advertising
- Customer Service
- Operations Management
- Budget Development and Management
- Goal Setting
- Inventory Management
- Cost Containment
Accomplishments
- Participated in The Cheesecake Factory's Training Program for select managers across the country
- Hand-selected by District Manager to play a key role in the opening of The Cheesecake Factory's Lenox Square Mall location, one of the highest-volume and highest-grossing locations in the family of restaurants in the area
- McDonald's Shining Light Award Community 2020
- E.W. Portis Award Family 2021
- Awarded Certificates of Congressional Recognition for:
- Holiday Wishlist 2020
- Annual Houston Humanitarian Awards (2019–2024)
- Celebration of Juneteenth Independence Day 2020
- Received United States of America Flag Flown Over the Nation’s Capital by the Capitol Police for Humanitarian Efforts 2021
- Awarded a Proclamation Recognizing July 25 as Houston Random Acts of Kindness Day 2019
- Dallas Field Office BGLDN Lead
- SOLA Delivery Lead
- GHOA Drive-Thru Pillar Lead
Leadership Roles
Timeline
Franchise Business Partner
McDonald’s USA
04.2022 - Current
Field Operations Consultant
McDonald’s
11.2018 - 04.2022
Bar Manager
Babins Seafood House
01.2017 - 11.2018
Senior Restaurant Manager
The Cheesecake Factory
04.2010 - 11.2017
Kitchen Manager
Chili’s Bar and Grill
06.2009 - 03.2010
General Manager, Training Store
Houlihan’s Restaurant
07.2004 - 12.2008
General Manager
Clubhouse Restaurant
11.2003 - 03.2004
Associate Head Coach, Men’s Basketball
Georgia Perimeter College
08.1999 - 03.2015
Assistant Coach, Men’s Basketball
Tuskegee University
08.1989 - 08.1993
Marketing and Business Management
Tuskegee University
Business Management
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Marketing and Business Management
Morehouse College