Laurice Barakat
Austin,TX
Summary
Dynamic leader with over a decade of progressive experience in the restaurant industry, specializing in bartending, operations management and staff development. Proven ability to streamline processes and enhance team performance through targeted training programs, fostering a culture of excellence. Expertise in financial oversight and building strong employee relationships that contribute to organizational success. Skilled in optimizing service operations and improving customer satisfaction while leveraging strategic planning and effective communication to excel in high-pressure environments.
Overview
1
1
Certification
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Bartender
Elevate Bartending
Austin, TX
- Executed cocktail preparation and service, ensuring quality and creativity in a dynamic bar atmosphere.
- Oversaw cleanliness and organization of bar area to enhance customer experience.
Coordinated setup and teardown of bar area for events, including weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and social celebrations, ensuring efficient operations. - Interacted with customers to provide outstanding service and elevate their experience with the brand.
- Enhanced understanding of drink recipes and ingredients to maintain exceptional product standards.
- Executed bartending techniques to enhance guest experience during course demonstrations.
FOH Service Manager
Black Sheep Lodge
Austin, TX
01.2022 - Current
- Communicated with customers in person and by phone to promote issue resolution and good customer service.
- Delegated tasks to employees to effectively complete projects.
- Resolved customer complaints quickly and effectively.
- Recruited, trained, coached, mentored, and evaluated personnel in order to maximize their potentials.
- Utilized problem solving skills to address challenges that arose during daily operations.
- Oversaw hiring and training procedures for new personnel to confirm smooth onboarding.
- Managed a team of 10+ employees to provide high-quality service delivery.
- Participated in regular meetings with senior management teams to discuss progress and challenges faced by the organization.
- Upheld established policies and procedures for maximum workplace efficiency.
- Evaluated employee performance, recommending personnel for promotion, transfer, or dismissal.
- Cultivated rapport with clients to build loyalty.
- Collaborated with other managers to achieve service delivery goals.
- Identified areas of improvement within the department and implemented solutions accordingly.
- Ensured compliance with company policies and procedures as well as industry standards.
- Assessed customer service staff performance and provided feedback.
- Implemented new procedures to streamline workflow processes.
- Supervised daily office operations and addressed any workplace inconsistencies or issues.
- Created and disseminated employee schedules to keep shifts properly staffed.
- Created weekly schedules based on predicted staffing needs, budgets and employee requests.
- Minimized staff turnover through appropriate selection, orientation and training.
Bar Lead
Sazan Ramen
Austin, TX
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Led bar operations, ensuring efficient service and high-quality beverage preparation.
- Trained and mentored staff on cocktail techniques and customer service standards.
- Developed innovative drink menus to enhance customer experience and engagement.
- Oversaw bar inventory management, implementing stock control practices to minimize waste.
- Coordinated payroll distribution processes while maintaining compliance with established tip division guidelines.
Manager
The Cheesecake Factory
Austin
01.2010 - 09.2020
- Evaluated suppliers by assessing quality, timeliness and compliance of deliveries to maintain tight cost controls and maximize business operational efficiency
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance
- Adjusted job assignments and schedules to keep pace with dynamic business needs, factoring in processes, employee knowledge and customer demands
- Facilitated change management activities for department and staff of 50+ individuals
- Recorded inventory sales into organization’s weekly income report
- Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows to meet any daily demand
- Reviewed performance data to monitor and measure productivity, goal progress and activity levels
- Expanded cross-functional organizational capacity by collaborating across departments on priorities, functions and common goals
- Recruited and developed 20+ employees for multiple departments
- Set, enforced and optimized internal policies to maintain efficiency and responsiveness to demands
- Communicated best practices among on-site and external personnel to align efforts and goals
- Demonstrated new products, procedures and techniques to employees
- Reduced workflow inconsistencies by recruiting and hiring capable staff members
- Performed yearly reviews assessing each employee’s performance and developed improvement plans
- Delivered feedback to decision-makers regarding employee performance and training needs
- Analyzed and interpreted store trends to facilitate planning
- Conducted scheduled and impromptu evaluations to assess work performance
- Maintained team efficiency by strategically delegating daily activities, monitoring output and rewarding positive contributions
- Evaluated employees’ strengths and assigned tasks based upon experience and training
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics
- Hired, trained and mentored staff to maximize effectiveness
- Trained new employees in specific job requirements
Corporate Trainer
The Cheesecake Factory
Austin
11.2012 - 11.2018
- Developed and led annual training sessions for servers, hosts, and Managers
- Reviewed existing training protocols and introduced updated procedures to improve knowledge retention and skill application.
- Reviewed effectiveness of programs and proposed updates to maximize success
- Collaborated with management to identify company training needs and scheduling
- Monitored employee progress and gave feedback to management and additional training requirements
- Collected information about company objectives and employee deficiencies in order to assess training needs
- Coached new managers on store procedures, policies and customer service, bolstering customer retention by 80%
- Led cross-functional training for external and internal clients and created all training materials and exams
- Assisted in four new restaurant openings in Texas, Oregon and Seattle. Trained new staff, monitored mock, soft and grand openings.
- Ensured all systems are in place prior to opening.
- Oversaw operations from start to end to ensure smooth transition for the first three months.
Operation Support Technician
The Cheesecake Factory
Austin
02.2012 - 04.2014
- Liaised with patients and addressed inquiries, appointment requests and billing questions
- Communicated corporate objectives across all divisions through regular correspondence and scheduled status updates
- Provided complete meeting support, including materials preparation and notes or minute taking
- Hired, managed, developed and trained staff, established and monitored goals, conducted performance reviews and administered salaries for staff
- Arranged corporate and office conferences for company employees and guests
- Tracked and recorded expenses and reconciled accounts to maintain accurate, current and compliant financial records
- Handled all incoming business and client requests for information
- Optimized organizational systems for payment collections, AP/AR, deposits and recordkeeping
- Completed bi-weekly payroll for 200 employees
- Managed CRM database, including troubleshooting, maintenance, updates and report generation
- Increased team productivity by reorganizing office supplies and protocols
- Handled client correspondence and tracked records to foster office efficiency
- Assisted office head in planning and execution of office renovation, including coordinating movement of office furniture, files and employees during construction.
Education
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts And General Studies
Austin Community College
TXSkills
- Financial Management
- Operations management
- Relationship development
- Schedule Preparation
Certification
Manager Food Handler and TABC
Timeline
FOH Service Manager
Black Sheep Lodge
01.2022 - Current
Bar Lead
Sazan Ramen
01.2021 - 01.2022
Corporate Trainer
The Cheesecake Factory
11.2012 - 11.2018
Operation Support Technician
The Cheesecake Factory
02.2012 - 04.2014
Manager
The Cheesecake Factory
01.2010 - 09.2020
Bartender
Elevate Bartending
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts And General Studies
Austin Community College