DAWN HUMMEL
Sarasota
Summary
Knowledgeable Executive leader with solid background in overseeing regional operations. Proven ability to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and drive operational success across multiple locations. Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning and team leadership to achieve organizational goals.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Manager
Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar
Sarasota, FL
04.2024 - Current
- Streamlined operational processes, enhancing efficiency across multiple regions.
- Led cross-functional teams to implement strategic initiatives, driving performance improvements.
- Developed regional strategies aligned with corporate objectives, ensuring cohesive operations.
- Mentored and trained leadership teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Championed continuous improvement initiatives, fostering a culture of innovation within the organization.
- Reduced overhead costs through strategic management of resources and budget allocations.
- Managed territory P&L responsibilities, consistently meeting or exceeding financial targets each fiscal year.
- Coached and mentored direct reports for enhanced performance and career progression opportunities.
- Oversaw budgeting processes, ensuring resource allocation aligned with strategic priorities and operational efficiency.
- Directed financial strategy, aligning organizational goals with fiscal planning and risk management initiatives.
- Prepared accurate financial statements at end of quarter to summarize financial health and business performance.
Manager, Off Premise Dining
P.F Chang's
Phoenix, AZ
07.2021 - 08.2023
- Goal-orientated person with a successful track record directing the planning, design, and implementation of training programs, with strong emphasis on Off- Premise dining and Catering.
- Expert in building an Off-Premises Dining platform.
- Operations, Coordinated cross-functional meetings to discuss developmental strategy, best practices, and process improvements to build a strong loyalty customer base and to enhance Off-Premise Dining Operations
- Designed, developed, and facilitated training programs for companywide initiatives into Self – Delivery platform
- Conducted custom training programs for all corporate leaders including assessments, feedback, and coaching to emphasize per-unit training of Off-Premise Dining.
- Partnered with all DSP to build a successful relationship and foundation for the continual growth of Off-Premise Dining platform.
- Worked closely with 3pd companies.
- Olo, ezCater, and Cartwheel knowledge.
- Marketing, Business to Business and Business to Customer.
- Enhanced To-Go and Catering packaging.
- Provided strong leadership to enhance team productivity and morale.
- Managed large-scale projects and introduced new systems, tools, and processes to achieve challenging objectives.
Director of Operations
P.F Chang's
Indianapolis, IN
05.2017 - 07.2021
- Built a positive culture of managers through motivation and active engagement through targeted monthly goals and accountability systems with positive reinforcement. While decreasing team member turnover.
- Identified and implemented operational improvements related to workflow, resource acquisition, and layout, supporting integrated solutions to identified deficiencies.
- Established operational performance metrics, standards, and benchmarks for direct reports and employees to follow in providing high-quality service and customer satisfaction.
- Led and supported processes to exceed customer expectations and supported the alignment of sales team with company values and objectives.
- Delivered business strategy and developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency
- Directed management meetings to enhance collaboration and maintain a culture based on trust and group problem-solving.
- Coordinated leadership workshops to educate managers on best practices to optimize productivity.
- Demonstrated exceptional knowledge of process optimization in relation to profit and loss.
- Developed and optimized organizational systems to boost efficiency and keep operations scalable and agile for changing demands.
- Delivered leadership to the executive team dedicated to driving ambitious targets with well-orchestrated plans.
- Oversaw day-to-day production activities in accordance with business objectives.
- Oversaw successful implementation of operational strategies and policies to drive organizational growth and productivity.
Director of Operations
Boca Restaurant Group
08.2015 - 05.2017
- Directed opening of Indianapolis and Columbus location
- Assisted with contract negotiations and construction timeline oversight
- Created new restaurant opening time guidelines, paired with the implementation of all training policies and documents
- Created company-wide training materials for every department within the restaurant
- Worked with CFO to develop pre-opening budget along with structuring first year's budget and assisted with weekly financial calls
- Hired and developed an opening Management team of eight and team member staff of 285.
- Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency.
- Collaborated with senior management to develop and execute long-term corporate goals and objectives.
Managing Partner
Texas Roadhouse
07.2013 - 08.2015
- Invested partner within new concept development team
- Assisted with new store openings
- Hired and trained team of 120
- Responsible for pre-opening budget and financial security of restaurant
- Weekly P&L overview along with hiring and developing new Managers' and Team members while building fun and safe culture.
Operating Partner
P.F Chang's
Fishers, IN
02.2004 - 06.2013
- Developed and sustained Operators through positive training and development with a focus on increasing sales and profit paired with employee retention
- Led Manager in training development for Midwest Market
- Training new Operating Partners within Midwest region which consisted of 45 restaurants
- Test restaurant for companywide roll out initiatives
- Key achievements: Sensei Award winner for Training and Development- 2018 Safest Restaurant award.
Education
Bachelor of Science Education -
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FLSkills
- Catering - Off-Premise Dining
- Contract Negotiations
- Third-Party Delivery - Self-Delivery Knowledge
- P&L Knowledge
- Budget Development and Management
- Strong Communication / Verbal Skills
- Staff Training
- Corporate Partnerships
- Management Training
- Multi-Unit Operations Management
- Recruiting and Hiring
- Supply Chain Distribution
- ROI Analysis
- Social Commerce
- Project Management
- Corporate Communications
- Logistics management
- Organizational development
- Operational excellence
- Staff training and development
Affiliations
Influential Woman
Timeline
Regional Manager
Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar
04.2024 - Current
Manager, Off Premise Dining
P.F Chang's
07.2021 - 08.2023
Director of Operations
P.F Chang's
05.2017 - 07.2021
Director of Operations
Boca Restaurant Group
08.2015 - 05.2017
Managing Partner
Texas Roadhouse
07.2013 - 08.2015
Operating Partner
P.F Chang's
02.2004 - 06.2013
Bachelor of Science Education -
University of Central Florida
2026 Influential Woman Nominee
Dawn Hummel has built a remarkable 32-year career in the restaurant and hospitality industry, steadily rising through leadership roles at prominent national brands. With a foundation in teaching, she has always brought a passion for developing others into her professional work, mentoring team members and helping them advance their careers. Her approach emphasizes that restaurants are ultimately a people business, where success comes from strong teams, effective communication, and handling difficult conversations with care and professionalism. Dawn focuses on multi-unit operations, leadership development, and training, ensuring her teams are supported, empowered, and able to grow within the organization. Her dedication to fostering talent has been recognized with awards during her tenure at P.F. Chang’s, highlighting her effectiveness in coaching and mentoring staff to achieve their professional goals. Her philosophy blends rigorous management with a genuine care for people, emphasizing that the success of any hospitality business rests on the well-being, development, and engagement of its employees, guests, and partners.