Denzel Wallace
Woodbridge,VA
Summary
Dynamic Restaurant and General Manager with over 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry, specializing in team leadership, menu planning, and cost control. Proven ability to drive operational efficiency while enhancing guest satisfaction through innovative strategies and a strong commitment to food safety and quality standards. Passionate about cultivating a collaborative work environment and utilizing advanced POS systems to streamline operations and propel business growth. Recognized for a results-oriented approach that consistently exceeds performance targets and elevates the overall dining experience.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
General Manager (GM)
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
Woodbridge, VA
05.2019 - 03.2024
- Managed $2.5–$3.0M in annual sales with average weekly volume of $50,000–$70,000
- Led teams of 40–60 employees across front and back-of-house operations.
- Reduced food cost by 1.5% through inventory discipline and portion control.
- Consistently met or outperformed labor cost targets.
- Maintained 100% health inspection results and Ecosure audits of 85%+ during tenure.
- Built long-tenured teams with minimal turnover (3–12 years of service)
- Lead restaurant operations, enhancing guest satisfaction and loyalty.
- Oversaw all aspects of restaurant operations, including staffing, scheduling, inventory control, and guest experience.
- Provided full P&L accountability for a high-volume location generating up to $3M annually.
- Implemented operational controls that improved food cost performance and labor efficiency.
- Recruited, trained, and mentored management and hourly staff, fostering a strong culture of accountability.
- Maintained hands-on leadership presence to ensure consistent service execution and guest satisfaction.
- Led team meetings to foster communication, address challenges, and drive operational improvements.
- Collaborated with marketing to execute promotional campaigns that increased brand visibility and foot traffic.
- Established relationships with vendors, negotiating contracts to secure favorable terms for the business.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Managed budget development, forecasting, and financial reporting processes to track progress towards organizational objectives accurately.
Key Holder Supervisor
Carrabba's Italian Grill
Woodbridge, VA
07.2025 - Current
- Supervised daily operations to ensure optimal service quality and guest satisfaction.
- Trained and mentored staff on customer service standards and operational procedures.
- Managed cash handling processes, ensuring accuracy in financial transactions.
- Implemented inventory management practices to maintain stock levels and reduce waste.
Bartender
Carrabba's Italian Grill
Woodbridge, VA
08.2021 - Current
- Prepare and serve beverages, ensuring customer satisfaction and repeat business.
- Manage inventory and restock supplies, improving efficiency and reducing waste.
- Collaborate with team to enhance service speed, contributing to a positive dining experience.
- Monitor compliance with alcohol service regulations while coordinating with kitchen staff to ensure seamless food and beverage service delivery.
- Lead bar operations during peak hours, train new staff members and maintain positive team dynamics while ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Develop creative drink specials and implement efficient bar service procedures while maintaining pristine workspace organization.
- Track inventory levels and analyze consumption patterns to optimize stock management while ensuring consistent product quality.
- Streamline bar operations through strategic inventory management and consumption analysis, implementing data-driven restocking procedures to minimize waste and maintain optimal stock levels.
- Devise and execute innovative beverage promotions while maintaining quality standards, resulting in enhanced customer satisfaction and consistent repeat patronage.
Corporate Trainer
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
Woodbridge, VA
- Led training teams for new store openings, enhancing staff readiness across eight locations.
- Managed teams of up to 20 employees, ensuring efficient operations and task delegation.
- Collaborated on restaurant launches, contributing to successful openings in multiple cities.
- Coordinated logistics and staff needs, achieving seamless store setups and operations.
- Implemented training strategies, resulting in improved employee performance and customer satisfaction.
- Spearheaded cross-functional teams in establishing operational frameworks for new locations, ensuring seamless transitions from construction to grand opening phases.
- Coordinated with regional teams to implement standardized training protocols, facilitating successful launches in major markets, including Denver, Nashville, and Virginia Beach.
- Developed and executed comprehensive staff training programs while managing daily operations, resource allocation, and real-time problem resolution.
Bar Manager
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
Woodbridge, VA
- Managed beverage inventory and ordering for optimal stock levels, ensuring cost efficiency.
- Executed successful beer events, enhancing customer engagement and brand presence.
- Conducted weekly inventory checks, maintaining balanced cost percentages.
- Organized beer events from start to finish, boosting sales and customer satisfaction.
- Streamlined beverage management operations through systematic inventory tracking, vendor negotiations, and data-driven ordering protocols to maintain optimal stock levels.
Service Manager
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
Woodbridge, VA
- Led team to enhance customer satisfaction, achieving measurable improvements in service quality.
- Streamlined operations, resulting in significant cost reductions and improved efficiency.
- Implemented training programs, boosting team skills and fostering a collaborative environment.
- Led restaurant operations and staff development, implementing quality control measures and optimizing service standards for enhanced guest satisfaction.
- Streamlined scheduling processes and inventory management, reducing operational costs while maintaining superior service delivery.
- Mentored and trained service teams, fostering a positive work culture and elevating customer service standards across multiple shifts.
- Analyzed service patterns and customer feedback to implement targeted improvements in operational efficiency and guest experience.
- Developed new service protocols and staff training programs, enhancing team performance and customer satisfaction metrics.
Assistant Coach
Woodbridge High School Lacrosse
Woodbridge, VA
05.2018
- Collaborated with coaches to enhance team strategies, improving performance and teamwork skills.
- Mentored student-athletes in skill development and game strategies while fostering team spirit and sportsmanship values through personalized coaching approaches.
- Coordinated with head coach to implement training programs, evaluate player performance, and develop game-day strategies for competitive matches.
Assistant Coach (Volunteer)
Freedom High School
Woodbridge, VA
05.2016
- Assisted head coach in training sessions, boosting team performance through tailored drills.
- Developed game strategies that enhanced team coordination and competitive edge.
- Mentored student-athletes, fostering personal growth and sportsmanship.
- Coordinated logistics for away games, ensuring smooth team operations.
- Analyzed player statistics to inform coaching decisions and improve outcomes.
- Mentored student-athletes in skill development and team dynamics, fostering personal growth and athletic excellence while promoting sportsmanship values.
- Partnered with the head coach to implement training programs and game strategies, enhancing team coordination and individual player performance.
- Developed targeted practice drills and conditioning routines, strengthening core athletic abilities and improving team cohesion.
- Assessed player strengths and areas for improvement, creating customized development plans that enhanced individual performance.
- Led dynamic warm-up sessions and skill-building exercises, inspiring athletes to exceed personal goals while maintaining team spirit.
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
Woodbridge, VA
- Worked with the Kitchen Manager to maintain proper pars of food and supplies for the restaurant.
- Trained new employees.
- Worked with employees and KM to keep food costs at proper percentage.
- Prep food items daily based on par levels and maintained clean organized kitchen.
Bartender
Augie's Mussel House and Beer Garden
Alexandria, VA
05.2024 - 08.2025
- Mix cocktails efficiently, enhancing customer satisfaction and boosting repeat patronage.
- Maintain inventory, ensuring optimal stock levels to prevent service disruptions.
- Collaborate with team to streamline service, improving overall bar efficiency.
- Resolve customer issues promptly, fostering a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.
- Mix craft cocktails and manage bar operations while maintaining inventory control and delivering exceptional customer service to drive guest satisfaction.
- Monitor stock levels, implement quality control measures, and maintain compliance with health and safety regulations while handling cash transactions.
- Coordinate with kitchen staff and servers to ensure seamless service delivery while resolving customer concerns promptly and professionally.
- Execute precise drink measurements and garnishing techniques while upholding strict safety protocols and maintaining pristine bar conditions.
Line Cook/Prep Cook
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
Woodbridge, VA
- Prepared and assembled menu items according to standardized recipes and presentation standards.
Cook/Prep
Not Your Average Joe's
Woodbridge, VA
- Prepare daily ingredients ensuring quality and consistency.
- Streamlined prep processes for efficiency.
- Enhanced teamwork in fast-paced kitchen environment.
- Executed precise food preparation procedures while maintaining kitchen safety standards and coordinating with line cooks to ensure timely service delivery.
- Streamlined prep workflow to reduce kitchen bottlenecks and enhance service efficiency during peak dining hours.
- Partnered with the kitchen team to maintain ingredient inventory, implement recipe consistency, and support smooth service operations.
- Monitored food quality standards through systematic preparation processes and strict adherence to health and safety protocols.
Education
No Degree - Criminal Justice
Northern Virginia Community College
Woodbridge, VANo Degree - Biology
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VASkills
- Leadership and team building
- Problem resolution
- Operations management
- Team player
- Efficient multi-tasker
- Effective leader
- Staff management
Certification
- ServSafe Certification at ServSafe
- Certified corporate Training - 2015-2024
Languages
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Key Holder Supervisor
Carrabba's Italian Grill
07.2025 - Current
Bartender
Augie's Mussel House and Beer Garden
05.2024 - 08.2025
Bartender
Carrabba's Italian Grill
08.2021 - Current
General Manager (GM)
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
05.2019 - 03.2024
Assistant Coach
Woodbridge High School Lacrosse
05.2018
Assistant Coach (Volunteer)
Freedom High School
05.2016
Corporate Trainer
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
Bar Manager
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
Service Manager
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
Cook/Prep
Not Your Average Joe's
Line Cook/Prep Cook
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
No Degree - Criminal Justice
Northern Virginia Community College
No Degree - Biology
Shenandoah University