De’Drain Mitchell
Dallas,TX
Summary
Enthusiastic restaurant manager and empathetic problem-solver with talent for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent guest relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact restaurant success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building systems to enhance team member engagement and boost performance.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant General Manager
VANDELAY HOSPITALITY GROUP – Brentwood Restaurant
2023.09 - 2024.04
- Oversaw daily operations of a high-volume restaurant with annual sales of over $4MM, empowering a team of 40+ employees to deliver exceptional hospitable service and drive operational excellence.
- Improved guest satisfaction by addressing and resolving guest complaints promptly and professionally, earning an 8% increase in 5-Star OpenTable reviews.
- Created and managed staff schedules to maintain adequate coverage for all shifts.
- Implemented cross-training initiatives among team members, reducing labor costs while maintaining service quality.
- Evaluated team member performance using established metrics during regular evaluations, identifying opportunities for professional growth.
- Promoted from Service Manager to Assistant General Manager/Bar Manager to address a 30% LBW cost; reduced this cost by 28% through strategic inventory management and bar training sessions on pouring efficiency.
- Strategically optimized bar inventory, achieving a 44% reduction to align inventory with current sales trends.
- Collaborated with the General Manager to introduce a new wine list and happy hour menu, achieving a 12% increase in restaurant sales.
Shift Supervisor/Senior Trainer
FRONT BURNER GROUP DINING – Sixty Vines
2021.04 - 2022.10
- Supervised FOH operations for a high-volume restaurant with annual sales of over $8MM; managing a team of 15+ employees per shift, ensuring hospitable service and a 4.7 OpenTable score.
- Resolved guest complaints and issues, offering thoughtful solutions to maintain guest satisfaction.
- Served as the primary liaison between management and FOH team members, effectively communicating and implementing company standards that contributed to operational excellence and increased team morale
- Trained and prepared over 20 new FOH team members for certification, utilizing online training modules (“1Huddle”) and hands-on coaching, resulting in a 95% pass rate.
- Evaluated training effectiveness by monitoring team member progress and gathering feedback for continuous development.
- Provided ongoing support to team members during challenging situations, offering guidance on problem-solving techniques for improved efficiency.
- Led a classroom training session for 10 FOH members on upscale dining standards, such as mise en place.
Shift Supervisor/Senior Trainer
DOC B’s RESTAURANT + BAR
2019.12 - 2021.04
- Supervised FOH operations for a high-volume restaurant with annual sales of over $5MM, managing a team of 10+ employees per shift, ensuring hospitable service and guest satisfaction rates above 90%.
- Improved guest satisfaction rates with consistent quality checks and timely resolution of complaints.
- Served as the primary contact between management and FOH team members, successfully conveying and enforcing company policies that contributed to operational excellence and increased team morale.
- Trained and prepared over 10 new FOH members for certification, utilizing a mixture of face-to-face classroom training sessions and hands-on coaching, resulting in a 100% pass rate.
- Analyzed team performance and identified areas of opportunity for additional training and development.
- Provided one-on-one mentoring to help team members reach their full potential within the restaurant.
Shift Supervisor/Senior Trainer
DARDEN RESTAURANTS – Olive Garden
2014.10 - 2019.12
- Supervised FOH operations for a high-volume restaurant with annual sales of over $5MM, managing a team of 25+ employees per shift and achieving guest satisfaction rates above 90%.
- Responded to and resolved guest questions and concerns.
- Developed and executed comprehensive training programs for over 50 new hires, leading to a 95% certification rate.
- Assisted store management to meet service standards and efficiency in daily operations.
- Built performance-oriented culture with satisfied, hardworking employees by publicly highlighting employee success and developing leaders from within.
- Continuously improved restaurant processes and procedures, identifying areas for optimization and leading initiatives to implement necessary changes.
- Analyzed team performance data to identify areas for improvement, leading coaching sessions that increased both service quality and efficiency.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy
The University of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX12.2016
Associate of Arts -
Richland Community College
Dallas, TX05.2015
Skills
- Service Leadership
- Effective Communication
- Problem-Solving
- Financial Management
- Guest Service and Support
- Inventory Control
Timeline
Assistant General Manager
VANDELAY HOSPITALITY GROUP – Brentwood Restaurant
2023.09 - 2024.04
Shift Supervisor/Senior Trainer
FRONT BURNER GROUP DINING – Sixty Vines
2021.04 - 2022.10
Shift Supervisor/Senior Trainer
DOC B’s RESTAURANT + BAR
2019.12 - 2021.04
Shift Supervisor/Senior Trainer
DARDEN RESTAURANTS – Olive Garden
2014.10 - 2019.12
Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy
The University of Texas At Arlington
Associate of Arts -
Richland Community College
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