James Aarhus
Hard Rock International
Las Vegas,Nevada
1
Certification
15
years of professional experience
General Manager leading large venue and restaurant operations across 25 salaried managers and 215+ hourly employees. Owns 45,000 sq ft across retail, food & beverage, banquets, events, offsite catering, and concerts, with full accountability for bottom-line results. Drives seven-day service across four meal periods while coordinating large-scale openings and operational turnarounds.
Work History
General Manager
8 Months- Recruited from previous employer's executive team, integrating into Hard Rock International.
- Assisted in managing operations with 25 salaried managers and over 215 hourly employees across 45,000 sq. ft. over three stories.
- Helped oversee four meal periods (breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night) seven days a week.
Director of Operations & Experience
6 Years- My career with Michael Mina began as the Assistant General Manager of StripSteak at the historic Fontainebleau Miami Beach from 2019 to 2021. I was then promoted to General Manager and led the opening of the flagship location, Bourbon Steak Seattle, in the historic Joshua Green building, a 100-year-old iconic landmark in the heart of downtown Seattle. I Recruited and selected entire workforce during COVID-19 pandemic through network connections, resulting in hiring 50 front-of-house and back-of-house staff without ads or public postings. Led operations at Bourbon Steak Seattle until location closure due to rising crime rates, 2023.
- I was promoted to Director of Operations and Experience, tasked with transforming brand activations into memorable guest experiences company-wide. Collaborated with Michael Mina and executive team to conceptualize unique ideas that drive revenue.
Senior Operations Manager
7 Years- Throughout my time at Cheesecake Factory, I progressed through several roles, ultimately achieving the title of Senior Operations Manager. Led 10+ restaurant openings, managing operations with revenues from $12 million to over $20 million. Gained deep understanding of operational efficiency and developed ability to thrive in high-pressure environments.
- Led operational initiatives to improve service efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Managed inventory control processes to ensure product availability and reduce waste.
- Trained and mentored staff on best practices for food safety and quality standards.
Education
Certificate, Leadership Principles
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
Skills
Certified Scrum Master
Six Sigma Yellow Belt
Multi-unit operations
P&L management
Budget management
Executive reporting
Strategic planning
Capital expenditure planning
Inventory control
Cost center management
Guest experience management
Restaurant openings
Labor scheduling
Education and Training
other,other
Certification
Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
Timeline
General Manager
Hard Rock International
12.2025 - CurrentRead More
Director of Operations & Experience
Mina Group LLC
01.2019 - 01.2025Read More
Senior Operations Manager
The Cheesecake Factory
01.2012 - 01.2019Read More
Azusa Pacific University
Bachelor of Arts from Business Administration
Read More
Harvard Business School Online
Certificate, Leadership Principles
Read More