Garris Lawrence
First Watch Restaurants Inc.
Loganville,GA
1
Language
31
Years of experience
Professional leader with comprehensive experience in driving operational excellence and strategic growth. Proven track record of fostering team collaboration and achieving impactful results in dynamic environments. Skilled in navigating complex challenges, optimizing processes, and cultivating positive workplace cultures. Known for adaptability, effective communication, and strong decision-making abilities. Open to intake out of the box ideas and empowering others fostering strong buy in. Being humble when it matters.
Work History
General Manager
4 Years 6 Months- Overseeing daily operations, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and service quality.
- Developed and implemented training programs to enhance staff performance and engagement.
- Analyze sales trends, optimizing menu offerings based on customer preferences.
- Maximize operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
- Addressing customer complaints and feedback with immediate action, turning dissatisfied customers into loyal patrons.
- Fostered culture of continuous improvement, introducing regular review sessions that boosted team performance and morale.
- Scheduling employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Interact well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Build a core team with impressive market leading turnover year after year.
- Leading through a team of diverse team and management members.
- Attaining and retaining feedback from all, thus producing a strong culture which relates to our fan base.
- Develop and produce team members to operations managers, bench- building
- Tracking employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Report issues to higher management with great detail.
- This far have been honored not once but three times with the prestigious Legacy Maker award by my peers.
- Committed to competing with competition!
- Persevered through challenging in- area new restaurant openings within blocks of our location.
- Improving guest satisfaction by having a presence and having unyielding support for my team.
General Manager
1 Year 7 Months- Hired on as General manager training at the very first Cava in Georgia, Buckhead location.
- Opened two more units thereafter including my home location at Mall of Georgia
- Led highest volume unit in that time frame
- Directed a NRO operating budget of $2.5+ million in annual sales
- Developed and engaged 25+ team members
- Decreased Food Cost from 30.4% to 29% within 3 months
- Decreased Labor Cost from 19.4% to 17.8% within 3 month
- Increased sales 10% through creative marketing and strong employee tenure, training programs and developing
- Developed and implemented strategic initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction and drive sales growth.
- Analyzed financial reports to identify trends, optimizing budget allocation for improved profitability.
- Facilitated regular team meetings to align goals, share best practices, and encourage collaboration among staff.
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring adherence to company standards and operational excellence.
General Manager
2 Years 9 Months- Increased sales from $3M+ to $4.5M+ within 1 year
- Grew profit margin rate 20% over 2017–2019
- Helped with the development of numerous hourly team members into management and 2 Shift Supervisors into an Assistant General Manager position
- Worked closely with district manager placing me at troubled locations empowering me to turn them around.
- Experienced leadership professional with strong communication and negotiation skills
- Developed neighborhood marketing to build sales, pushing forward recovery from Covid, ultimately beating year over year profits consistently.
- Maintained and grew sales after downsizing management team due to Covid constraints.
- Produced top market sales as well as speed of service in drive thru.
- Developed and promoted assistants to GM roles
General Manager
2 Years- Complete oversight of a high-volume unit, while training new salaried managers for the district
- Versatile FOH and BOH Manager, Culinary Manager, Training General Manager, Corporate Trainer
- Turned around 2 trouble stores from worst to first using proper training and company systems
- Selected and promoted to Culinary Manager to improve the operations of underperforming stores
- Provided insight, training, mentorship to new and existing general managers in the district
- Mentored 25 managers for growth at all difference levels
- Teach and lead manager development classes for multiple location in the Georgia State market
- Monitored key performance indicators, utilizing data-driven insights to inform decision-making strategies.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Directed comprehensive sales efforts to exceed revenue targets consistently while maintaining customer satisfaction levels.
General Manager (2014-2015); Culinary Manager (2013-2014); Front of The House Manager (2013-2013)
1 Year 9 Months- Directed and increased annual sales from $1.6M to $2.3M+ within his 1st year
- Hired as Front of The House Manager promoted to Culinary Manager
- Participated in “turn around” in Decatur location; Selected for Proprietorship Program
- Developed and engaged 200+ team members across 3 Ted’s locations
- Managed and directly supervised 45-70 team members across one location
- Decreased Food Cost from 36% to 30% within 6 months; Held Labor Cost consistently at 16%
- Decreased Liquor cost from 18% to 17.4% within 4 months
- Selected to oversee training location with fresh scratch kitchen menu
- Held employees accountable through meaningful observation, spot recognition and 1-on-1 evaluations
- Positive guest relations maintained due to strict adherence to company quality standards
- Prepare and report financial documents to management team on inventory, food, beverage, and labor controls
- Inventory, Labor, and Food Costs all in line due to proper training, coaching and compliance to standards
- Success achieved through proper training emphasizing company standards
Corporate Trainer
18 Years 4 Months- Complete oversight of a high-volume unit, while training new salaried managers for the district
- Versatile FOH and BOH Manager, Culinary Manager, Training General Manager, Corporate Trainer
- Turned around 2 trouble stores from worst to first using proper training and company systems
- Selected and promoted to Culinary Manager to improve the operations of underperforming stores
- Provided insight, training, mentorship to new and existing general managers in the district
- Mentored 25 managers for growth at all difference levels
- Teach and lead manager development classes for multiple location in the Georgia State market
Education
Bachelor's degree - Business Management
Skills
Leadership and team building
Problem resolution
Operations management
Team player
Efficient multi-tasker
Effective leader
Time management
Training and coaching
Team leadership
Staff management
Customer relations
Relationship building
Staff training/development
Staff supervision
Goal setting
Employee scheduling
Verbal and written communication
Staff training and development
P&L management
Staff motivation
Customer retention
Deadline oriented
Performance improvement
Employee development
Exceptional interpersonal communication
Languages
Fluent in: English and Spanish
Timeline
General Manager
First Watch Restaurants Inc.
02.2022 - CurrentRead More
General Manager
Cava
06.2020 - 01.2022Read More
General Manager
Panera Bread
09.2017 - 06.2020Read More
General Manager
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
07.2015 - 07.2017Read More
General Manager (2014-2015); Culinary Manager (2013-2014); Front of The House Manager (2013-2013)
Ted’s Montana Grill
10.2013 - 07.2015Read More
Corporate Trainer
Brinker’s International Restaurant Group/Macaroni Grill
05.1995 - 09.2013Read More
Georgia College & State University
Bachelor's degree from Business Management
Read More