JOE LEONARDI
Joplin,MO
Summary
Ambitious Director of Food and Beverage,with proven track record of creating successful food service operations, managing staff and increasing profits. Extensive experience in menu design, ordering supplies and creating innovative solutions to food service challenges. Well-versed in hospitality standards and natural knack for building relationships with customers.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Food and Beverage
Kansas Crossing Casino
Pittsburg, KS
11.2021 - Current
- Increased overall guest satisfaction by revamping menus and introducing innovative food and beverage offerings.
- Coordinated seamless event execution for both small-scale gatherings and large-scale banquets or conferences.
- Developed a strong team of food service professionals, selecting top talent through comprehensive recruitment initiatives.
- Established accurate forecasting systems that enabled precise scheduling and inventory management, minimizing shortages and surplus.
- Launched successful special events programming to drive additional revenue streams during off-peak times.
- Ensured compliance with all health and safety regulations, maintaining impeccable inspection records throughout tenure.
- Managed budgets effectively, tracking expenses closely and adjusting allocations as needed throughout the fiscal year.
- Collaborated with executive leadership to establish long-term goals and strategic plans for the food and beverage department.
- Implemented sustainable practices in line with corporate social responsibility guidelines, reducing environmental impact while maintaining quality standards.
- Spearheaded staff development initiatives including ongoing training programs focused on customer service excellence, upselling techniques, and product knowledge enhancement.
- Expanded catering services portfolio by identifying niche markets for growth opportunities within the local area.
Director of Food and Beverage
Indigosky Casino
Wyandotte, OK
10.2020 - 05.2021
- Interviewed job applicants, processed new hire paperwork, and provided on-the-job training
- Trained and mentored food service works to achieve maximum team quality and efficiency
- Managed food and supplies inventory to keep adequate levels for expected demands
- Coordinated the staff and supplies necessary to serve over 12000 customers per week
- Scheduled department staff strategically to maintain proper coverage based on business volume
- Supervised food service workers to keep kitchen moving and provide every customer with hot, fresh meal
- Enforced quality, safety and sanitation standards to keep the foodservice operation compliant
- Implemented new recipes and menu cycles to increase resident satisfaction 23% and reduce food costs 14%.
Managing Partner
CHILIS
Joplin, MO
12.2007 - 08.2020
- Achieved 108% increase in sales forecasts and beat labor goal by 1.5% in schedules to reflect desired productivity targets
- Consistently maintained high levels of cleanliness, organization, storage, and sanitation of food and beverage products to ensure quality
- Developed and maintained a staff that provided hospitable, professional service while adhering to policies and business initiatives
- Communicated well and used strong interpersonal skills to establish positive relationships with guests and employees
- Trained and developed team members to managers, and managers to General Managers throughout my tenure
- Met financial targets by establishing budgets and controlling expenses
- Kept all paperwork current and compliant with internal standards and legal requirements
- Prepared schedules and assignments to meet short- and long-term business demands
- Demonstrated safety procedures, 92% steritech achievement and monitored compliance to protect staff and general public
- Brought in well-qualified employees to fill important vacancies, targeting recruitment strategies to reach key candidates
- Eliminated resource waste by beating food cost by 1% through effective monitoring and improved controls
- Managed daily workloads by organizing effective schedules and delegating tasks
- Trained staff in primary roles and strategies for exceeding goals each day
- Organized training for new team members and routine retraining for established employees to keep all associates operating consistently.
General Manager
CICIS PIZZA
Rogers, AR
04.2002 - 08.2007
- Delivered an exceptional dining experience with friendly, fast service
- Training restaurant for the area
- Achieved revenue and profit targets through solid promotional and budget control strategies
- Reversed poor performing store by revising systems, processes, training programs, and personnel.
Manager
APPLEBEES
Pittsburg, KS
05.1997 - 01.2002
- Continually monitored restaurant and took appropriate action to ensure food quality and service standards were consistently met
- Exhibited thorough knowledge of foods, beverages, supervisory duties, service techniques, and guest interactions
- Managed performance of team members by conducting performance appraisals and recommending promotions.
Skills
- Food and beverage costing
- Training and development
- Employee training and development
- Strategize business plans
- Cross-functional team management
- Bulk food preparation
- Oversee administrative functions
- Networking and collaboration
- Systems implementation
Awards
- Recipient of 5 STAR REWARD 5 times.
- # years as a Manager and 2 years as a Managing Partner with Chilis.
- Finished in top 5% of Chilis, #26 in 2019, #34 in 2020, out of 1000 restaurants.
Timeline
Director of Food and Beverage
Kansas Crossing Casino
11.2021 - Current
Director of Food and Beverage
Indigosky Casino
10.2020 - 05.2021
Managing Partner
CHILIS
12.2007 - 08.2020
General Manager
CICIS PIZZA
04.2002 - 08.2007
Manager
APPLEBEES
05.1997 - 01.2002