Ezra Burk
Milwaukee,WI
Summary
Highly proactive manager with 20 years of experience in team leadership Background includes sales, management and customer service in fast-paced settings. Food service professional adept at FOH and BOH operations. Restaurant Manager with expertise in general operations management, special events, staff development and training, recruitment and vendor negotiations. Experienced and successful at reducing costs, increasing productivity and maximizing customer satisfaction. Though my current position is not in the restaurant industry, that is where my passion lies. I started as a server in our family restaurant and continued there until it closed. I was approached as a server at 21 by the owner of the restaurant that I was employed at, and soon was fully managing two of his locations on a daily basis. This was where I developed my strong marketing skills. .I've had second jobs that are if not interesting, also helped my development of strong customer service skills. I learn new things very quickly and can easily move into any position. I believe that given the chance that I would be an asset to your company should you decide that I'm the candidate your looking for.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Customer Service Manager/Owner/Operator
Ashley's Home Care
Milwaukee, WI
03.2018 - Current
- Maintained accurate and current customer account data with manual forms processing and digital information.
- Provided excellent customer care by responding to requests, assisting with product selection and handling ordering functions.
- Communicated professionally with colleagues, freelancers and clients.
- Educated customers about billing, payment processing and support policies and procedures.
- Placed employees with clients based on the need that they furnished. Helped clients with the insurance companies to ensue that the right employee was able to complete all tasks in the time allotted (medically trained or certified CNA, etc.)
Restaurant Manager
Bakers Square
Milwaukee/Shorewood, WI
03.2016 - 11.2018
- Promoted positive atmosphere and went above and beyond to guarantee each customer received exceptional food and service.
- Carefully interviewed, selected, trained and supervised staff.
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance.
- Continuously evaluated business operations to effectively align workflows for optimal area coverage and customer satisfaction.
- Managed both front of the house and back of the house each shift. Coaching and teaching to ensure that all employees understood that each role was important, even if the guests did not interact with them personally. The guest impression starts before they enter the building and that the first impression was the only impression that really stuck in a guests mind.
Restaurant Manager
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar
Muscatine, IA
02.2012 - 02.2016
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills and handle complimentary items.
- Increased sales significantly by upselling higher-end products to customers.
- Applied comprehensive knowledge of wine, cider and beer to increase daily beverage sales.
- Resolved guest and employee complaints to maintain complete customer satisfaction and workforce effectiveness.
- Maintained order efficiency and accuracy through clear communication with kitchen staff, earning numerous recommendations from satisfied customers.
Manager
Panera
Milwaukee, WI
05.2008 - 02.2012
- Promoted positive atmosphere and went above and beyond to guarantee each customer received exceptional food and service.
- Carefully interviewed, selected, trained and supervised staff.
- Met, greeted and encouraged feedback from customers and used feedback to implement positive changes within restaurant.
- Oversaw front of house personnel to maintain adequate staffing and minimize overtime.
- Purchased adequate quantities of food, beverages, equipment and supplies.
Server/Restaurant Manager
Copper Penny Restaurant
Milwaukee, WI
08.1999 - 04.2008
- Carefully interviewed, selected, trained and supervised staff.
- Met, greeted and encouraged feedback from customers and used feedback to implement positive changes within restaurant.
- Effectively managed payroll and timekeeping, and paperwork for new hires and terminations.
- Actively participated in ongoing customer service programs to build sales and rapport in community.
- Took advantage of the downtown location, and developed relationships with the different venues that were all in walking distance of our establishment. Created marketing tools to use at the different locations to entice guests. Used the knowledge of upcoming events to properly staff and supply the restaurant to unsure that customer service wasn't affected by the influx of business.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Education/Business Markjeting
U of W
La Crosse, WISkills
- Food Safety Guidelines
- Purchase Needs Determination
- Goals and Performance
- Wrote and implemented a front of the house training platform and manual that was implemented and is still used for a major restaurant chain
- 2004 to 2012 I was certified as a teacher/trainer for Serve Safe Certification for the state of Wisconsin
- MY first management position I was able to quadruple the profit by controlling food cost and over staffing I kept meticulous inventory and saw where our food cost was out of control, and then trained staff on how to properly order and prepare food for our guests I took over the ordering of the food and supplies by setting pars that I implemented after a year of keeping track of daily, weekly, and monthly usage as well as keeping track of holidays and special yearly events that affected our orders
Additional Information
A few years ago I was the victim of identity theft. It takes many years to get your life back financially and sometimes personally. I volunteer for a local attorney who deals with identity theft situations. Im happy to help people navigate the system and steer them in the right direction to begin to recover. my own experience gives me the empathy and the drive to help any way I can.
Timeline
Customer Service Manager/Owner/Operator
Ashley's Home Care
03.2018 - Current
Restaurant Manager
Bakers Square
03.2016 - 11.2018
Restaurant Manager
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar
02.2012 - 02.2016
Manager
Panera
05.2008 - 02.2012
Server/Restaurant Manager
Copper Penny Restaurant
08.1999 - 04.2008
Bachelor of Science - Education/Business Markjeting
U of W
Similar Profiles
Jill HollowayJill Holloway
ASSISTANT MANAGER/RECEPTIONISTS at ASHLEY'S HOME STOREASSISTANT MANAGER/RECEPTIONISTS at ASHLEY'S HOME STORE
France-Lise TranieFrance-Lise Tranie
Physical Therapist Assistant at Nurse Home Care/Community Home Health Services/Allegiance Home Health/Pinnacle/Preferred Home Care of Florida Home Health AgenciesPhysical Therapist Assistant at Nurse Home Care/Community Home Health Services/Allegiance Home Health/Pinnacle/Preferred Home Care of Florida Home Health Agencies
Billy ThompsonBilly Thompson
Supervisor at Ashley's FurnitureSupervisor at Ashley's Furniture
Robert SantoRobert Santo
Pattern Maker at B & E Pattern Co., Inc.Pattern Maker at B & E Pattern Co., Inc.
Monifah CocroftMonifah Cocroft
Healthcare Customer Service Representative at HumanaHealthcare Customer Service Representative at Humana