John Patella
Winston Salem
Summary
Accomplished restaurant professional known for effective staff management and operational efficiency. Committed to exceeding customer expectations and optimizing profits through innovative strategies and exceptional problem-solving skills.
Overview
65
65
years of professional experience
Work History
Restaurant Owner/Operator
Pizza Express
Winston Salem
05.1965 - Current
- Pizza Express, a locally owned pizza chain entrepreneurial venture that opened to 9 Stores within the city.
- At its height, Pizza Express grossed $5M annually.
- A 12" pizza cost 95 Cents when it started. Current prices are 7$ for a 12" pizza.
- Managed daily operations of a busy pizza restaurant.
- Trained and supervised staff in food preparation and customer service.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations in food handling.
- Developed and implemented marketing strategies to attract new customers.
- Oversaw inventory management and ordered supplies as needed.
- Created weekly staff schedules to optimize labor efficiency.
Restaurant Owner
Vincenzo's
Winston Salem
05.1964 - 12.2025
- Legendary Italian Family restaurant locally operated in Winston-Salem, NC with revenues exceeding $1M annually.
- Managed the pizza operations of the business by employing faithful people and training them how to craft and cook pizza properly.
- Established vendor relationships to ensure quality product sourcing.
- Conducted regular evaluations of operational efficiency and workflows.
- Managed daily operations of the business, including staff, sales, inventory, and accounting.
- Developed menus, incorporating seasonal ingredients and customer preferences.
- Oversaw inventory management to maintain stock levels and reduce waste.
- Implemented health and safety standards throughout the restaurant environment.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly to maintain satisfaction and loyalty.
- Optimized profits by controlling food, beverage and labor costs.
Laborer
Vacation Valley Hotels
Stroudsburg
11.1960 - 10.1962
- My first job
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of hotel grounds and public areas.
- Assisted with setup and breakdown of event spaces for guest functions.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure timely completion of daily tasks.
- Transported supplies and materials between storage areas and work sites.
- Performed physical activities requiring heavy lifting, walking and standing for long periods of time.
- Worked with team members to ensure efficient workflow throughout the day.
Education
High School Diploma -
East Stroudsburg "Cavaliers" High School
East Stroudsburg, PA05-1961
Skills
- Customer service
- Operations management
- Problem solving
- Time management
- Effective communication
- Conflict resolution
- Staff management
- Waste reduction
- Sales expertise
- Profit and loss
- Risk management
- Business strategy
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
High School Diploma -
East Stroudsburg "Cavaliers" High School
Restaurant Owner/Operator
Pizza Express
05.1965 - Current
Restaurant Owner
Vincenzo's
05.1964 - 12.2025
Laborer
Vacation Valley Hotels
11.1960 - 10.1962