Derek Nittoli
Jacksonville,FL
Summary
Energetic, results-driven Food & Beverage/Culinary Director with immense firsthand experience related to restaurant operations and service excellence, team collaboration, and resource allocation within fast-paced, high-volume restaurants. Ability to oversee performance management and provide mentorship of 300+ diverse culinary and restaurant professionals. Track record of implementing and managing processes that increase efficiency in productivity, labor costs, food waste control, OSHA compliance, and guest satisfaction. Builds constructive working relationships characterized by a high-level of acceptance, collaboration, and mutual respect. Possesses sound critical-thinking and analytical skills as well as superior communication and guest service abilities.
Diligent Leader with extensive experience in overseeing dining services operations. Managed diverse teams to consistently improve service quality and operational efficiency. Demonstrated leadership through successful implementation of cost-saving initiatives and menu innovations.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Dining Services
Compass Group
08.2022 - Current
- Directed menu planning and development to enhance culinary offerings and guest satisfaction.
- Led operational improvements, optimizing workflow efficiency across dining facilities and service areas.
- Implemented cost-control measures, reducing food waste while maintaining quality standards in meal preparation.
- Coordinated staff training programs, fostering skill development and enhancing team performance in service delivery.
- Serving over 3,000 meals and 2, 000 snacks daily for the after school program
- Summer program prepares over 5,000 meals and 3,000 snacks daily
- Oversaw compliance with health regulations, ensuring safe food handling practices across all dining operations.
- Fostered a positive work environment by cultivating strong teamwork amongst all departments.
Managing Partner
Boston's Pizza
05.2019 - 07.2022
- Directed team of over 80 employees ensuring exceptional service
- Developed and conducted training programs suited to the challenges/needs of very diverse staff
- Responsible for bi-weekly payroll procedures and money distribution
- Spearheaded development in service quality, menu design, innovation, sales and profitability
- Manage all aspects of special events such as order food, manage staff, and oversee the event, as well as troubleshoot any issues that may arise, Events with up to 500 attendees
- Closely monitored beverage inventory for all bar outlet, and stayed within budget to ensure higher profits
- Venue: over 3,000 square feet that includes a 200-seat restaurant 20 seat bar, 45 seat Patio
- Reduced food cost 3 points in first 3 months
- Achieved labor goal under my leadership for first time since opening the site
Owner / Operations Manager
Cafenit, LLC
05.2013 - 02.2019
- Conceptualized, organized, and launched successful deli; fullscale operational accountability including all business purchasing, marketing, payroll, P&L, insurance etc…
- Assists team with all operational processes including service, cooking, bussing/cleanup, etc.; leads by example and instills productive work habits
- Contributes to track record of increased sales every year since inception; started business from scratch and transformed a startup into a business with an average of $200K+ in profits per year
- Seeks new ways to modernize processes and implements restaurant/culinary innovation aimed to increase the overall customer experience; consistently promotes brand within the community, enabling long-term success
- Cultivates positive working relationships with community trailblazers associated with schools, churches, and other local businesses; collaborates and encourages diversity to excel services within the community
Area Director
Doherty Enterprises
04.2010 - 01.2013
- Delivered oversight and sales increases to a variety of brand locations (Applebee's, Chevy's, Quaker Steak & Lube); record of 6 figure revenue increase (Quaker Steak & Lube generating $100K+ per week in sales)
- Increased Linden & Clifton Chevys sales three straight years and achieved highest shoppers scores in the country in 2011. Oversaw sales, labor, food, and liquor costs and diplomatically enforced all food safety and quality regulations
- Supervised internal employees championing their success toward both individual and team contributions
- Implemented customer service best practices, which significantly increased the customer experience and boosted satisfaction.
- Forecasted quarterly and annual sales aligning with productivity targets
- Led opening team of our first QSL in October of 2012; delivered customer success and $175K in first week sales
- Audited restaurant quality and performance giving appropriate feedback to enhance internal operations
- Processed employee payroll in accordance with projected revenue for each week; managed financials including accounts payable and receivable
General Manager
Doherty Enterprises
01.2006 - 04.2010
- Operated five high-volume restaurants with a combined staff of 300+ culinary and restaurant professionals
- Spearheaded operations of a $5M location within a broad network of brands including Applebee's, Panera Bread, and Chevy's
- Tex Mex; oversaw performance and service excellence at poorly performing locations
- Reduced food cost from 31% to 27.7%, reduced liquor cost from 23% to 19.3%, reduced labor cost 17.6% to 15.9%, enhanced flow thru from -159% to -42% and increased CSI score from 49% to 62%
- Boosted a $3.5M+ mall location and ignited highly successful results including Award of Merit on ecosure audit (attained by only five other locations per fiscal year); top 10% on CSI scores; and Green rating on company AOA (highest score possible); ranked in the top three General Managers out of 45 company-wide
- Ranked #1 GM in Company during tenure as General Manager in Linden
Education
Real Estate License -
New Jersey School of Real Estate
Edison, NJServe Safe Certification -
United States Marine Corps
Parris Island, SCSkills
- Entrepreneurship & Facility Operations
- Risk Assessment & Mitigation
- Performance Management
- Record of Multi-Million Dollar Sales
- Sales Forecasts & Strategic Planning
- Team Development & Training
- Influential & Transformational Leadership
- Full Financials & P&L Management
- Cost-Control & Restructuring
- Proven Food and Beverage Management Experience
- Working knowledge of various computer software programs (MS Office, restaurant management software, POS)
- Trend Analysis
- Strategic Menu Developing
- Event Planning & Marketing
- Booking Entertainment and Talent
- Employee scheduling
- Menu development
- Health inspections
- Teamwork
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service
- Multitasking
- Excellent communication
- Reliability
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of over 100 staff members.
- Accomplished leader.
- G.M. of the year.
- USMC.
- Consistently achieved goals in flow-thru.
Certification
- Serve Safe Manager Training - April 2025-April 2030
Timeline
Director of Dining Services
Compass Group
08.2022 - Current
Managing Partner
Boston's Pizza
05.2019 - 07.2022
Owner / Operations Manager
Cafenit, LLC
05.2013 - 02.2019
Area Director
Doherty Enterprises
04.2010 - 01.2013
General Manager
Doherty Enterprises
01.2006 - 04.2010
Real Estate License -
New Jersey School of Real Estate
Serve Safe Certification -
United States Marine Corps
Personal Information
- Relocation: 1
- Availability: Open to Relocation