Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

James Dickens

Pickerington,OH

Summary

Ambitious people leader with a solid history of success in restaurant operations and people development. Extensive business acumen with a track record of exceeding sales and profit goals. Offering 36 years of continued growth and success in the restaurant industry. Seeking a challenging leadership opportunity at a growing company with a people-first culture.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

District Manager

Hoogland Restaurant Group
05.2022 - Current
  • Supervised various locations, enforcing high-quality standards of operation.
  • Ensured compliance with company policies and procedures as well as federal/state regulations by conducting regular audits of operational practices at each location within the district.
  • Boosted employee morale by creating a positive work environment that encouraged teamwork, collaboration, and professional growth opportunities.
  • Oversaw successful store acquisitions, coordinating logistics, staffing, training, and promotional efforts to ensure smooth transitions for new locations.
  • Drove $350,000 positive growth to the district P&L EBITDAM the first full year, through a combination of increased sales, improved operations, and tighter cost controls in all units.

District Manager

Wendy's Corporation
06.2019 - 04.2022
  • Generated over $13 million in annual sales in 2020, leading 6 units, with SRS growth of 22% (top 5 DM in company) through improved staffing and training, culture and leadership development, and operations excellence.
  • Executed successful breakfast rollout, leading company districts in highest sales per unit average, with 4 units ranked in top 100 of entire company in 2020.
  • Improved store cultures and reduced CM turnover 40% and SM turnover 55% YOY vs. 2019.
  • Boosted bottom-line profits (top 10 in company for 2020), exceeding EBITDA targets by 22% over target by boosting top line sales and improving all major cost categories vs. 2019 and increased customer satisfaction scores by 29% during this time.
  • Assisted high-performing GM in achieving Training Store certification and promotion to DM, along with backfilling 2 GM roles in district with internal promotes.

Area Coach

Taco Bell DBA PBL, Inc.
10.2014 - 04.2019
  • Established culture of internal development in assigned 7 store area, filling 75% of open positions with internally developed candidates, while supporting other areas with leaders developed internally, creating opportunities for team to grow.
  • Built year over year sales an average of 6.5% during this span, achieved company operational excellence in all units, and controlled P&L 11% above company targets.
  • Ranked #5 of 40+ areas for 2019 up from #30 in 2017, in company-wide overall operational and financial metrics.
  • Launched successful new store opening during tenure, and guided 2 GMs to Training Manager certification, developing one who became future AC for company.
  • Achieved Regional RGM of the year in first year in position in 2015, exceeding sales plan by 19% and P&L plan by 16%, while becoming TSM.

Owner/Operator

Ianazone's Homemade Pizza, DBA FRG, LLC
08.2002 - 07.2015
  • Managed day-to-day business operations, including accounting, finance, HR, marketing and public relations.
  • Executed all necessary job duties of building, owning and operating 2 carry out and delivery restaurants, increasing sales average of 10% year over year during ownership.

Director of Operations

KFC/Pizza Hut/Taco Bell DBA KCG, Inc.
09.2000 - 08.2002
  • Managed team of 3 General Managers and their teams, reporting directly to Owner/Operator.
  • Executed company marketing programs, trained/mentored General Managers, and improved sales and profit in company locations.
  • Launched third location, achieving operational excellence certification within first 6 months of business.

Education

Some College (No Degree) - Business Management

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Skills

  • Sales building
  • Effective communication
  • Staffing & scheduling for growth
  • Internal leadership development
  • Vendor management
  • P&L management
  • Operations excellence
  • Performance Management
  • Food Safety
  • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Certification

Servsafe certified

Servsafe Proctor certified

Timeline

District Manager

Hoogland Restaurant Group
05.2022 - Current

District Manager

Wendy's Corporation
06.2019 - 04.2022

Area Coach

Taco Bell DBA PBL, Inc.
10.2014 - 04.2019

Owner/Operator

Ianazone's Homemade Pizza, DBA FRG, LLC
08.2002 - 07.2015

Director of Operations

KFC/Pizza Hut/Taco Bell DBA KCG, Inc.
09.2000 - 08.2002

Some College (No Degree) - Business Management

Youngstown State University

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
James Dickens