Katy McLaren
Chicago,Illinois
Summary
Experienced manager with over 20 years of experience in the restaurant/bar industry. Known for building high-performance teams and accepting challenges with success. Proficiency in sanitation and training. Excellence in improving customer satisfaction and staff management. Dependable and driven in setting goals and maintaining high standards but with a supportive approach. Ready to tackle and build a successful operation with a great company.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
General Manager-The Moonlighter/Outside Voices
Scofflaw Group
04.2023 - Current
General Manager
Stefani Group-Bar Cargo
09.2022 - 04.2023
General Manager
Stefani Group-MAD Social
09.2021 - 09.2022
- Re-opened MAD Social in the West Loop after being closed for almost two years.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Conducted health, safety and sanitation process evaluations to identify and remedy any violations immediately.
- Effectively managed payroll and timekeeping, and paperwork for new hires and terminations.
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance.
- Carefully interviewed, selected, trained and supervised staff.
- Was in charge of all ordering for the restaurant and put together a bar program.
- Managed all inventory, food cost and labor.
Assistant General Manager
Stefani Group-Castaways
05.2021 - 09.2021
- Recruited, trained and hired all staff.
- Motivated staff to perform at peak efficiency and quality.
- Handled money, balanced tills, processed credit card payment batches and prepared bank deposits, maintaining 100% accuracy.
- Supervised all areas of restaurant to keep it clean and well-maintained.
Lead Bartender/FOH Manager
Monti's
12.2017 - 05.2021
- Wrote sanitation programs for BOH and FOH per health department guidelines.
- Kept accurate inventories and ordering needs for liquor, beer, wine and bar supplies.
- Trained new bartenders on all aspects of job, including drink preparation, up-selling techniques, maintaining customer relationships and sanitation regulations.
- Drove excellent customer service through coaching, role modeling and incorporating customer feedback to reinforce and improve quality of service.
- In charge of all social media and marketing.
- Restaurant burned down 2020 and had to move into a ghost kitchen and run take out and delivery.
- Developed and launched a second brand during the pandemic.
General Manager
HUTCH American Bistro
03.2017 - 12.2017
- Increased revenue by reducing costs and managing schedules.
- Devised and Implemented new training programs for FOH and BOH.
- Trained, coached and mentored all of the management team at multiple locations.
- In charge of P&Ls and achieved targets consistently.
- Successfully trained on all stations in BOH and FOH to ensure quality assurance.
FOH Manager/New Store Opening
KICK Restaurant And Bar
07.2015 - 01.2017
- Cross-trained all new employees and created all training materials and exams.
- Developed lasting customer relationships with neighbors and local businesses bartending and managing.
- Attended all Chamber of Commerce networking events to drive business.
- Managed day-to-day FOH operations to drive quality, standards and meet customer expectations.
- Opened a new concept with colleagues with intent to build and grow more restaurants.
- Upsold daily specials and beverage promotions to exceed daily sales goals.
- In charge of all events i.e wedding rehearsals, neighborhood gatherings, birthdays and chamber meetings.
Head Server
Fiorentino's Italian Restaurant
07.2011 - 07.2015
- Trained incoming staff on restaurant's practices, culture and procedures to maximize customer satisfaction and productivity.
- Coordinated multiple events throughout banquet space, including weddings, reunions, and corporate meetings.
- Scheduled reservations and managed seating arrangements in popular 100+-seat fine-dining restaurant.
- Managed sanitation program for FOH and BOH
Assistant General Manager
Au Bon Pain-Northwestern Hospital
02.2011 - 08.2011
- Taught managers strategies for completing sanitation work and carrying out senior management duties.
- Mentored and motivated team members to efficiently achieve challenging business goals.
- Managed budgets, employee reviews, training and schedules.
- Managed for the highest volumed Au Bon Pain in the US.
General Manager
Soprano's Italian Restaurant
07.2010 - 11.2010
- Trained, coached and mentored staff to ensure smooth transition of new programs.
- Held weekly meetings with owner to overcome sales obstacles, new marketing materials and training and development of staff.
- Used marketing tools to build revenue i.e specials during the week, promos, bands etc.
General Manager
Mimi's Cafe Restaurant
02.2004 - 07.2010
- Opened up 5+ locations.
- Performance-based culture based on individual accountability, goal completion and team achievement.
- Boosted yearly profits through improved and proper training
- Maintained well-controlled business inventory with minimal losses by enforcing solid monitoring and management structures.
- Built customer loyalty by devising promotions and products according to customer needs and budget.
- Motivated, trained and disciplined employees to maximize performance.
- In charge of all sanitation and training programs of multiple locations.
Education
Psychology
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OHSkills
- New store opening
- Events and Catering
- Recruitment
- Financial management
- High Volume experience
- Inventory
- Staff management
- Conflict resolution
- Staff training/development
MIMI'S CAFE OPENINGS
- Mason, Oh-Corporate Trainer/AGM
- Columbus ,Oh -Corporate Trainer
- Atlanta, Ga- Corporate Trainer
- Dayton, Oh- AGM/GM
- Louisville, Ky- Traveling GM/Interim GM
CHICAGO OPENINGS
- Chicago ,IL- KICK
- Chicago, IL- MAD Social
Certification
Manager ServSafe Certificate
Basset
Timeline
General Manager-The Moonlighter/Outside Voices
Scofflaw Group
04.2023 - Current
General Manager
Stefani Group-Bar Cargo
09.2022 - 04.2023
General Manager
Stefani Group-MAD Social
09.2021 - 09.2022
Assistant General Manager
Stefani Group-Castaways
05.2021 - 09.2021
Lead Bartender/FOH Manager
Monti's
12.2017 - 05.2021
General Manager
HUTCH American Bistro
03.2017 - 12.2017
FOH Manager/New Store Opening
KICK Restaurant And Bar
07.2015 - 01.2017
Head Server
Fiorentino's Italian Restaurant
07.2011 - 07.2015
Assistant General Manager
Au Bon Pain-Northwestern Hospital
02.2011 - 08.2011
General Manager
Soprano's Italian Restaurant
07.2010 - 11.2010
General Manager
Mimi's Cafe Restaurant
02.2004 - 07.2010
Psychology
University of Cincinnati