Issa Abuelhawa

Oversaw daily operations to ensure compliance with company standards and policies.

• Implemented training programs to enhance staff performance and customer service.
• Developed strategies to optimize inventory management and reduce waste.
• Coordinated promotional campaigns to drive sales and increase customer engagement.
• Monitored financial performance, identifying areas for cost reduction and revenue growth.
• Led team meetings to communicate goals, expectations, and operational updates effectively.
• Analyzed customer feedback to improve service quality and dining experience consistently.
• Fostered a positive work environment through effective staff recognition and support initiatives.
• Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
• Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
• Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
• Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
• Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
• Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
• Implemented effective cost-saving measures to reduce overhead expenses without compromising quality or service.
• Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.
• Drove the successful execution of numerous large-scale events/promotions while closely managing costs/budgetary constraints associated with event planning/management activities.
• Streamlined inventory management processes, minimizing waste and ensuring optimal stock levels for uninterrupted operations.

• Transferred to location as General Manager 04/2014 and promoted to Joint Venture General Manager 03/2015
• Grew sales from $55,000/week to an average of $95,000/week through staffing the cafe with the right team members, improving quality and speed of service, and growing catering sales by 200% by adding two additional catering coordinators and leveraging connections at Target to secure all catering needs in the area
• Maintained labor costs around 17% by ensuring we were always fully staffed, minimizing overtime, having a mix of full-time and part-time team members that were paid well, holding managers accountable for meeting daily labor goals, and reviewing/approving the team member schedules
• Managed food cost and kept it below 29% through strict recipe adherence, pre-portioning meats, managing bakery leftovers, checking the food variance weekly, and coaching the Food Cost Specialist on proper processes
• Kept maintenance and utilities’ costs below 4% by putting all lights on a timer to make sure they turned on one hour before/after open/close, making sure all ovens are off when not in use, minimizing emergency thawing to conserve water by ensuring accurate and timely prep sheets, and switching maintenance vendors to better control repairs
• Increased store profit from $500,000/year to $1,200,000/year by managing all costs
• Earned award for having the lowest turnover rate at 8%; achieved by creating a positive employee experience and hiring the right team members
• Gainesville, VA Location:
• Manassas, VA Location:
• Hired as General Manager and promoted to Joint Venture General Manager 03/2009
• Increased sales from $25,000/week to $52,000/week by focusing on continual training to improve quality and speed of service, and growing catering sales
• Reduced labor cost from 54% to 25% by working with District Manager to transfer some of high-paid team members to cafes with better sales, and accurately forecasting and scheduling to forecast
• Maintained a 28% food cost by focusing on recipe adherence and portion control
• Continuously score 95% or above on all health audits
• Grew store profit from a loss of $15,000/period to a profitable store averaging $20,000/period by managing all costs
• (Reason for leaving: Company made several contract changes over tenure which had a significant impact on total compensation)

• Transferred to location from the Gainesville Target after spending 5 years there.
• In charge of the guest service, cashiers, photo lab, Starbucks, the vault, and Pizza hut.
• Opened the store.
• Hired and trained the staff and shift leads for all the departments I was in charge off.
• Ran the operation of the entire store multiple days a week, open and close.
• Scheduling of all departments.
• Set up off all departments.

• Hired staff for the store.

• Opened the first supper Target in the area.

• Hiring, staffing and training of all the areas I was in charge Off.

• Led team in achieving sales goals through effective merchandise presentation and inventory management.
• Developed training programs to enhance staff performance and customer service skills.
• Implemented operational efficiencies that improved workflow and reduced downtime across departments.
• Monitored store performance metrics to identify improvement opportunities and drive strategic initiatives.
• Conducted regular performance reviews to ensure accountability and foster professional growth among team members.
• Managed departmental budget, aligning resource allocation with business objectives for maximum impact.

• In charge of Guest service, front end, photo lab, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Deli and Bakery

• Improved overall team performance with regular coaching, mentoring, and employee development initiatives.

• Managed budget development, forecasting, and financial reporting processes to track progress towards organizational objectives accurately.
• Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
• Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
• Managed budget implementations, employee evaluations, and contract details.
• Established comprehensive employee training programs to develop skills, improve productivity, and maintain compliance with industry regulations.
• Directed comprehensive sales efforts to exceed revenue targets consistently while maintaining customer satisfaction levels.
• Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
• Implemented robust inventory management systems to optimize stock levels and minimize waste/costs associated with excess product storage.