LINDSEY LAFRANCE
Chicago,IL
Summary
Hospitality management professional with 24 years of experience in the restaurant industry, including 15 years of restaurant/bar management. Driven by a strong passion for developing a sense of community & responsibility through food, and fostering food education via local, farm-to-table dining. An enthusiastic event coordinator with a great fervor for managing events & parties, large and small. A dedicated leader who takes a hands-on approach to supporting every role, department, and team member, for the betterment of company goals and customer excellence.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant General Manager
Uncle Julios
01.2024 - Current
- Responsible for the daily operations of a busy, high volume restaurant, with a 30 year tenure in the Lincoln Park neighborhood
- Responsible for developing and implementing new operational procedures, streamlining daily tasks and improving overall efficiency.
- Daily managing of financial aspects of the business, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control for optimal profitability.
- Daily mentoring of staff members, fostering a supportive work environment that enhanced employee performance and retention.
- Overseeing inventory management processes to maintain proper stock levels and minimize spoilage or waste.
- Implementing staff training programs that improve service quality and increase customer loyalty.
- Monitoring facility maintenance needs, coordinating repairs and upgrades as necessary to keep operations running smoothly.
- Ensuring compliance with all health department regulations by implementing strict sanitation guidelines throughout the establishment.
- Recruiting, hiring, and onboarding of new employees, to build a workforce committed to excellence in hospitality.
- Developing and executing strategies to improve overall guest experience, resulting in positive customer reviews and increased repeat business.
- Collaborating with other department managers on cross-functional projects, fostering a cooperative atmosphere that drives overall organizational success.
- Daily mentoring and motivating team members to achieve challenging business goals.
Maître D / Server
The Alderman & Pilsen Yards
04.2023 - 12.2023
- Responsible for overseeing reservations & restaurant flow at Pilsen Yards, a casual, high volume restaurant, equipped with 2 bars, 4 dining rooms, and a large patio.
- Responsible for overseeing reservations and flow fat The Alderman, a refined speakeasy, hidden within Pilsen Yards.
- Maximized table turnover rate by efficiently managing reservations and seating arrangements.
- Responsible for training new hires, providing guidance on restaurant standards and business practices.
- Addressed customer complaints or concerns professionally, ensuring swift resolution and maintaining positive relationships.
- Consistently met or exceeded performance goals related to sales targets, customer satisfaction ratings, and order accuracy.
- Performed opening and closing duties, ensuring the dining area was prepared for seamless service transitions.
- Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally to maintain positive reputation.
- Resolved guest and employee complaints to maintain complete customer satisfaction and workforce effectiveness.
General Manager/Food & Beverage Manager
Troutbeck
06.2022 - 02.2023
- Responsible for all FOH management for a boutique luxury hotel & resort, with: 34 rooms, a restaurant & bar, a poolside restaurant & bar, 4 indoor private event spaces, and a dozen outdoor event spaces.
- Managed a full restaurant staff while simultaneously directing vendors and contractors, during multimillion dollar wedding events.
- Worked directly under the Director of Food & Beverage, to provide the ideal Troutbeck experience, as envisioned by both the business owners and by the Michelin Star Culinary Director/Executive Chef, Gabe McMackin.
- Responsible for staffing, employee onboarding, service training & management, weekly scheduling, staff education, staff testing, and corrective action.
- Event & catering management, vendor management, project planning, and interdepartmental collaboration.
- Daily service execution, drafting & printing menus.
- Created and monitored reservation controls, private dining bookings, event bookings, with a heavy focus on curating guest experiences.
- Inventory maintenance, product ordering, and service reports
General Manager
Ore Hill & Swyft
10.2018 - 04.2022
- Responsible for overseeing all PP&E for the restaurant, farmers market, and events/catering department.
- Responsible for building, maintaining, and training hourly staff, along with: recruiting, interviewing, and training salary managers on: company website maintenance, webpage building, reservation system, inventory systems, and POS system.
- Managed all social media and marketing.
- Responsible for book keeping duties: invoicing, P&L, healthcare enrollment, and weekly labor & payroll audits.
- Responsible for sourcing new vendors & contractors for FOH, BOH, and operational needs.
- Worked directly with Chamber of Commerce & other local businesses for community engagement.
- Maintained all business operations and expansion plans for 2 years, throughout the absence of the owner, who passed away.
Catering Captain/Server
Purdy's Farmer & the Fish
07.2016 - 10.2018
- Responsible for training & evaluating new employees to ensure consistency and overall customer satisfaction.
- Managing catering staff for large events & private parties.
- Utilizing extensive knowledge of Purdy's farm produce, seafood, and wine to enhance customer experience.
- Maintained the highest standards of customer service for the betterment of the business and their numerous celebrity & elite clientele.
Server/Band Concierge
Daryl's House Club
10.2014 - 04.2015
- Responsibile for developing restaurant steps of service & club service SOP for Daryl's House Club's grand opening
- Providing VIP customer service for celebrity musicians & VIP clientele
General Manager/Catering Manager
Scoopuccino's/Windy Point Pub & Grill
05.2010 - 06.2013
- Responsible for managing all business operations for 2 separate business locations.
- Responsible for interviewing, hiring, & training a restaurant staff of 30+
- Designed & managed the addition of a full-service bar, from concept to actualization.
- Preserved the image of the business and its owners through community involvement & support.
- Managed all budgeting, banking, payroll, book keeping and accounting
- Increased the restaurant's customer base and annual sales revenue through the restructure and reorganization of the business.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics -
State University of New York at Potsdam
01.2012
Skills
- Staff Development & Training
- Casual & Fine Dining Service
- Hotel & Hospitality Service
- Catering & Events
- Inventory Maintenance
- HR & Employment Law
- Website & Social Media Maintenance
- P&L
Certification
- Certified Food Protection Manager, ServSafe - January 2028
- Certified Illinois Food Handler - March 2026
- Illinois BASSETT Training - March 2026
Timeline
Assistant General Manager
Uncle Julios
01.2024 - Current
Maître D / Server
The Alderman & Pilsen Yards
04.2023 - 12.2023
General Manager/Food & Beverage Manager
Troutbeck
06.2022 - 02.2023
General Manager
Ore Hill & Swyft
10.2018 - 04.2022
Catering Captain/Server
Purdy's Farmer & the Fish
07.2016 - 10.2018
Server/Band Concierge
Daryl's House Club
10.2014 - 04.2015
General Manager/Catering Manager
Scoopuccino's/Windy Point Pub & Grill
05.2010 - 06.2013
Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics -
State University of New York at Potsdam