DON SMITH
San Antonio,Texas
Summary
Results-driven General Manager with expertise in food and hospitality. Experienced in restaurant openings, renovations, budget management, and P&L oversight. Skilled in team development, hiring, training, and coaching to enhance productivity and guest satisfaction.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner-Operator
Sisters Tacos & More Food Trailer
San Antonio, TX
09.2022 - Current
- Established and launched a comprehensive business from inception to operational
- Development of trailer designs and build-out plans.
General Manager
DoubleTree By Hilton
San Antonio, Tx
05.2022 - 12.2022
- Facilitated formation of Leadership team to strengthen collaboration and advance strategic initiatives.
- Improved F&B operations by collaborating with F&B manager and hourly team on service, menu item presentation, and inventory, resulting in 6% food cost reduction
- Created a new menu that aligned with customer preferences and seasonal availability.
- Created 2023 hotel budget, achieving approval from owners on first submission
- Developed director of sales, leading to promotion to my position
General Manager
Mid-Continent Hospitality
San Antonio, Tx.
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Achieved passing quality assurance score in February 2022, ensuring compliance
- Resolved significant backlog of unpaid invoices, improving cash flow
- Managed daily operations at Hampton Inn by Hilton.Stabilized property and team through active visibility and engagement
Dual General Manager
Icon Lodging
Euless, Tx.
11.2020 - 09.2021
- Recruited as general manager to replace promoted regional manager
- Achieved over 90% occupancy at Home2 for 2021.
- Ranked #1 in occupancy within competitive set.
- Oversaw both Home2 and Tru by Hilton hotel properties.
Dual General Manager
KPartners USA
Frisco, Tx.
12.2019 - 11.2020
- Implemented systems to enhance ordering efficiency and control processes, contributing to profit improvement
- Passed 4 brand QA inspections within 8 months despite reduced staffing, addressing failures in previous inspections
- Reduced reliance on contract labor by streamlining staffing processes.
- Since COVID-19 consistently averaging 55+% Occupancy-#1 in Comp set in Occupancy and RevPar
- Overall Guest Satisfaction Scores +4.87% over prior year
- Received a letter of recognition from Jay Caifa (COO IHG) for achieving top 10% in guest love, room cleanliness, and satisfaction related to COVID safety measures
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites/Candlewood Suites Dallas Metroplex
General Manager
MCR Development
Dublin-Ohio And San Antonio- Texas
09.2016 - 09.2019
- Engaged team to elevate property from GSS red zone to clear status within 2 months
- Property achieved 2018 GSS status of clear rating for 1st time
- Exceeded flex/flow targets by 6% during first 2 quarters of 2019
- Passed all internal and external audits/QA with no findings
- TownePlace Suites San Antonio-4/2017-9/2019
- Hilton Garden Inn Dublin, OH-9/2016-4/2017
General Manager
Baywood Hotels
Texas, Kansas
04.2014 - 08.2016
- Managed Formula Blue renovation project from transfer to completion
- Implemented pay increases for team to align with prevailing local wages
- Worked at Holiday Inn Express in Kansas City, KS from January 2016 to August 2016
- Worked at Country Inn & Suites and Hampton Inn & Suites in San Antonio from June 2015 to January 2016
- Worked at Courtyard in San Antonio April 2014 to June 2015
Sous Chef
Aramark Foodservice Division
Tampa, Fl.
04.2012 - 03.2014
- Achieved outstanding safety/sanitation rating on all inspections, both internally and externally
- Executed on-site and off-site catering events, ensuring high-quality food service and client satisfaction
- Coached and trained the team, resulting in 12% reduction in turnover
- Managed entrée station while supervising execution of all other stations to maintain service quality
- Managed food service for approximately 750 customers each day during breakfast and lunch shifts.
- Assumed the role of Executive Chef in his absence
- Price Waterhouse Coopers Tampa, FL.
Owner-Operator
Fulbeil’s
Columbia, Mo.
08.2010 - 03.2012
- Developed and implemented comprehensive business plan to establish operational framework
- Created employee/menu manuals, hired team
- Reduced operating costs 18%
- Negotiated lease agreement
- Designed menu and employee manual; recruited and trained team to ensure service excellence
- Executed local store marketing and advertising strategies to increase community engagement
- Designed layout and signage
- New restaurant opening
- Hands-on Owner Columbia, Mo.
General Manager
Raymond Management Group
Columbia/Kansas City/St. Louis, Mo., Rogers, Ar.
05.2006 - 08.2010
- Began as front desk agent and progressed to General Manager
- Enhanced team satisfaction scores by 21%-33% through targeted initiatives
- Lowered breakfast costs by 9% while maintaining quality standards
- Improved team satisfaction scores 21%-33%
- Achieved 91% guest satisfaction scores during $1.5M remodeling process
- Received Lighthouse award ranking 11TH out of 1400 Hampton Inns
- Hampton Inn & Hampton Inn & Suites-Kansas City, Mo./St. Louis, Mo./Rogers, Ar./Columbia, Mo.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Hotel & Restaurant Management
University of Missouri-Columbia
ColumbiaSkills
- BUDGET MANAGEMENT
- PROFIT & LOSS
- OPENINGS & RENOVATIONS
- TEAM DEVELOPMENT
- ACCOUNTABILITY
- SERVANT LEADERSHIP
- DETAIL FOCUSED
- LISTENING
- CROSS-LEVEL CONNECTIVITY
- CALM DEMEANOR
- SELF STARTER
- CREATIVE THINKING
- 3 R’S (RECOGNIZE, REWARD, REPEAT)
- RESPECT
Section name
- Additional Restaurant Positions
- SCHOONER’S LANDING/UPTOWN CAFE- OWNER/OPERATOR
- PANERA BREAD/RUBY TUESDAY/OLIVE GARDEN/HARDEES-GENERAL MANAGER
Timeline
Owner-Operator
Sisters Tacos & More Food Trailer
09.2022 - Current
General Manager
DoubleTree By Hilton
05.2022 - 12.2022
General Manager
Mid-Continent Hospitality
09.2021 - 05.2022
Dual General Manager
Icon Lodging
11.2020 - 09.2021
Dual General Manager
KPartners USA
12.2019 - 11.2020
General Manager
MCR Development
09.2016 - 09.2019
General Manager
Baywood Hotels
04.2014 - 08.2016
Sous Chef
Aramark Foodservice Division
04.2012 - 03.2014
Owner-Operator
Fulbeil’s
08.2010 - 03.2012
General Manager
Raymond Management Group
05.2006 - 08.2010
Bachelor of Science - Hotel & Restaurant Management
University of Missouri-Columbia