Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Certification
Core Competencies
Timeline
Generic

Jodelle Lapinski

Philadelphia

Summary

Professional leader with 20+ years of experience in training and development, prepared to drive impactful learning initiatives. Proven success leading multi-unit training initiatives, developing Managers and Trainers, supporting new restaurant openings and driving operational excellence.

Known for delivering results, enhancing employee performance, and ensuring consistent growth through strategic training solutions. Equipped with excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, making reliable and adaptable asset to any organization.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Area Leader of Training

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Philadelphia, PA
04.2021 - Current
  • Partner with Business Unit Leaders to execute company training strategies across multiple restaurants
  • Develop and implement training plans that close performance gaps and support operational goals
  • Certify Managers in Training and Advanced Crew Trainers while maintaining brand standards
  • Coach Restaurant Leaders on performance improvement, leadership development, and operational excellence
  • Support pre- and post-opening training for new restaurant launches, ensuring teams are prepared for successful openings
  • Collaborate with cross-functional partners to continuously improve learning programs and operational consistency

New Restaurant Opening Lead

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Oceanside, CA
09.2017 - 04.2021
  • Redesigned and piloted the company's pre-opening training framework, which became the organization-wide standard.
  • Led all aspects of new restaurant opening execution, including communication, staffing, training and operational readiness
  • Coached Trainers and Restaurant Leaders to achieve training and operational goals
  • Facilitated large-scale conference calls with leadership teams before and after openings to evaluate performance and drive continuous improvement
  • Served as liaison between the restaurant support office, vendors and operations teams

Vice President of Communications and New Store Openings

Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants
Dallas, TX
10.2012 - 02.2017
  • Led a team of 10 field Trainers supporting more than 150 successful restaurant openings
  • Partnered with Operations, Marketing, Construction, Purchasing, and Communications to execute consistent opening strategies
  • Directed communications projects critical to operational goal execution, coordinating internal and external stakeholder management
  • Gathered essential information and incorporated feedback into implementation strategies, demonstrating ability to distill complex ideas
  • Ensured consistency and accuracy in field-facing content, protecting brand reputation through transparent communication

Corporate New Restaurant Training Team Supervisor

T.G.I. FRIDAY'S - Bar & Restaurant
Flemington, NJ
02.1999 - 10.2012
  • Led international training teams supporting restaurant openings in Poland, Morocco and India
  • Directed classroom instruction, certification program, and on-the-job training for more than 50 team members
  • Developed future trainers through coaching, performance reviews, and leadership development
  • Collaborated with franchise owners and senior leadership to ensure successful operational execution and brand consistency

Education

Master of Business Administration -

Strayer University
Arlington, VA
12.2025

Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice

University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
04.2004

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

University of Pittsburgh
04.2004

Certification

Food Safety Manager (ServSafe)

Core Competencies

  • Learning & Development
  • Leadership Development
  • Training Program Design
  • Filed Training
  • Operations Excellence
  • New Store Openings
  • Manager Coaching
  • Team Development
  • Performance Management
  • Change Management
  • Facilitation & Presentation
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Operational Compliance
  • Restaurant Operations
  • Talent Development

Timeline

Area Leader of Training

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
04.2021 - Current

New Restaurant Opening Lead

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
09.2017 - 04.2021

Vice President of Communications and New Store Openings

Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants
10.2012 - 02.2017

Corporate New Restaurant Training Team Supervisor

T.G.I. FRIDAY'S - Bar & Restaurant
02.1999 - 10.2012

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

University of Pittsburgh

Master of Business Administration -

Strayer University

Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice

University of Pittsburgh
Jodelle Lapinski