Kyla Thompson
Myrtle Beach,SC
Summary
Highly proactive manager with 15 years of experience in team leadership in the restaurant industry. Background includes sales, management and customer service in fast-paced settings.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
General Manager
Zaxby’s
Myrtle Beach, SC
01.2025 - Current
- Streamlined operations to enhance customer service and satisfaction across multiple locations.
- Implemented training programs to develop staff skills, resulting in improved team performance.
- Optimized inventory management processes to reduce waste and improve cost efficiency.
- Led strategic planning initiatives that increased overall profitability and market presence.
- Fostered a positive workplace culture through effective communication and employee engagement strategies.
General Manager
Eggs Up Grill
Murrells Inlet, SC
05.2023 - 01.2025
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
- Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
- Implemented effective pricing strategies that balanced profit margins while remaining competitive in the marketplace.
FOH Manager
LuLu's North Myrtle Beach
North Myrtle Beach, SC
09.2022 - 05.2023
- Resolved guests complaints while maintaining positive customer environment.
- Maintained positive team environment by encouraging teamwork and respect in accordance with company mission.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, hiring,and contract negotiations.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
Server/Host/Expo/Busser
First Watch (Second Job While At Medieval Times)
Carefree, AZ
06.2020 - 08.2022
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Maintained clean and organized dining areas to uphold restaurant hygiene standards.
- Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
Arena Manager
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Scottsdale, AZ
05.2019 - 04.2022
- Maximized cost-effectiveness by complying with budget, labor and revenue benchmarks.
- Inspected facility daily for overall cleanliness and to check supply quantities for reordering and restocking.
- Supervised events from start to finish using effective crowd control methods.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules,onboarding, and contract negotiations.
- Assisted with public relations by participating in community events, which helped to draw in new business and patrons.
- Approved regular payroll submissions for employees.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
Server/ Corporate Trainer/c.l.c.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews
Tempe, AZ
09.2016 - 08.2019
- Certified Learning Coach
- Conducted evaluations and observed employee performance to identify areas of needed improvement.
- Monitored employee progress and gave feedback to management and additional training requirements.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills and handle complimentary items.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
Server/ Trainer/store Opening Trainer
Lolos Chicken and Waffles
Scottsdale, AZ
03.2014 - 07.2016
- Trained new team members on restaurant procedures, menu items and performance strategies.
- Taught servers to memorize menu ingredients and provide information on preparation methods.
- Provided continuous evaluation and feedback to server employees.
- Organized and oversaw food service training to educate employees on resetting tables, relaying orders to cooks and upselling food and beverages.
- Educated bartenders, and servers on responsible service protocols.
Team Lead/Server
chilis
Lawton, OK
08.2012 - 03.2014
- Demonstrated strong knowledge of food and beverage service standards and led by example to instill in new servers.
- Instructed servers on proper techniques for taking orders, serving food and providing customer service.
- Trained new team members on restaurant procedures, menu items, and performance strategies.
- Established and maintained positive relationships with trainees to drive successful learning outcomes.
- Set and enforced performance and service standards to keep consistent, high-quality environment devoted to customer satisfaction.
Key Holder/ New Location Facilitator
Jimmy Johns
Phoenix, AZ
04.2010 - 08.2012
- Assisted with team responsibilities by cleaning, managing cash registers, and product merchandising.
- Oversaw store operations by counting cash drawers, reviewing equipment management, and supervising staff.
- Engaged with customers to build rapport and promote long-term loyalty for increased sales.
- Trained and supervised new employees to apply best practices in customer service and store operations.
- Scheduled employees, prepared bank deposits and drafted sales reports to keep daily processes running smoothly.
Education
High school deploma -
Central High School
Phoenix, AZ06-2011
Skills
- Maintaining Clean Work Areas Per Health Department Standards
- Coaching and Training
- Strategic Forecasting
- Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable
- Menu Planning
- Sales Team Development
- Sales Expertise
- Project Planning
- Employee Scheduling
- Staff Development
- Labor Cost Controls
- Product Costing
Certification
- ServSafe Manager certified
- ServSafe Allergen certified
- TIPS certified
- Red Cross First Aid certified
Timeline
General Manager
Zaxby’s
01.2025 - Current
General Manager
Eggs Up Grill
05.2023 - 01.2025
FOH Manager
LuLu's North Myrtle Beach
09.2022 - 05.2023
Server/Host/Expo/Busser
First Watch (Second Job While At Medieval Times)
06.2020 - 08.2022
Arena Manager
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
05.2019 - 04.2022
Server/ Corporate Trainer/c.l.c.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews
09.2016 - 08.2019
Server/ Trainer/store Opening Trainer
Lolos Chicken and Waffles
03.2014 - 07.2016
Team Lead/Server
chilis
08.2012 - 03.2014
Key Holder/ New Location Facilitator
Jimmy Johns
04.2010 - 08.2012
High school deploma -
Central High School