Mark James
Delaware,OH
Summary
Regional operations leader with deep experience overseeing multi-site restaurant performance, labor planning, and day-to-day standards. Brings hands-on strength in budget control, training, compliance, and workflow improvement while supporting guest experience and operational consistency across locations.
Overview
1
1
Certification
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Operation Manager
Rise Brands
Columbus, Ohio
03.2021 - Current
- Participated in Several New Store Openings in all aspects from construction to staffing to Grand opening excelled in this area
- Monitored performance metrics of regional operations teams, identified areas for improvement, and developed strategies to maximize productivity.
- Reviewed labor schedules and staffing plans for regional teams to optimize resource allocation.
- Refined daily workflows to enhance operational consistency across Rise Brands venues.
- Established budgets, monitored expenses, and tracked investments in the region's operations team.
- Collaborated with leadership on budgets, forecasts, and supply planning.
- Controlled expenses, eliminated waste, reduced overhead costs and developed operating budgets.
- Developed and implemented policies and procedures to improve operational efficiency.
- Developed training programs designed to enhance employee knowledge of operational processes and procedures.
- Coordinated with other regional managers to ensure consistency in processes across multiple locations.
- Solved operational issues with vendors, facilities, and store management.
Regional Operations Director
Red Robin International
Delaware, OH
11.2018 - 03.2021
- Modernized and improved operational procedures to increase efficiency and profitability while tightly controlling costs such as labor and preventing waste.
- Increased profit margins across 8 restaurants through effective cost monitoring and management.
- Developed, implemented and managed business plans to promote profitable food and beverage sales.
- Created and deployed successful strategies to boost restaurant performance, streamline food prep processes and increase efficiency in different areas.
- Designed strategy and action plans with input from General Managers including aggressive timelines for implementation.
- Supervised, developed and conducted performance evaluations for General Managers and location managers.
- Collaborated with management, technical crew members, and supervisors to streamline operations and meet schedule targets.
- Conducted monthly tours and audits of 8 restaurant units with General Managers to evaluate operational performance and identify potential management candidates.
Training General Manager
Red Robin International
Columbus, OH
09.2014 - 11.2018
- Directed field training to enhance participants' skills.
- Selected and assigned instructors to conduct specific training programs.
- Implemented tailored learning strategies based on employees' skill levels to maximize training effectiveness.
- Designed and facilitated food service training sessions to develop employee skills. to equip employees with skills for resetting tables, relaying orders, and upselling food and beverages.
- Drove departmental performance and achievement of service levels through focused team operational reviews, structured coaching and managing to enterprise targets.
- Set and enforced performance and service standards to keep a consistent, high-quality environment devoted to customer satisfaction.
- Resolved challenging customer complaints to full satisfaction, promoting brand loyalty and maximizing repeat business.
- Analyzed variances and implemented corrective actions to increase average meal checks and customer visits.
- Maintained high standards of food quality by reviewing shipments, overseeing preparation and monitoring food safety.
- Prepared restaurant business plan by reviewing demands, analyzing competitors and developing projections for sales and finances.
- Protected business, team members and customers by monitoring alcohol consumption and keeping operation in line with legal service requirements.
Executive General Manager
Applebee's "Thomas & King"
Columbus, OH
01.2003 - 09.2014
- Developed and executed business plan, effectively communicating company vision and objectives to motivate teams.
- Chaired weekly meetings with Executive General Managers to identify opportunities for improvement, establish milestones and tailor to individual markets.
- Spearheaded overhaul of company best practices, leading to significantly increased staff retention rates and top-ranking as industry leader.
- Led operations and long-range planning to achieve year-over-year business growth through strategic vision.
- Fostered positive environment that inspired employees and enhanced customer experience.
- Created motivated and positive environment to inspire employees and make customers feel welcome.
Education
High School Diploma -
Hilliard Davidson High School
Hilliard, OH05-1993
Skills
- Multi site operations
- New Store Openings
- Performance Analysis
- Budget development
- Budget planning
- Expense control
- Capital spending
- Strategic planning
- Inventory management
- Inventory control
- Vendor management
- Process improvements
- Staff training/development
- Team management
- Team leadership
- Problem solving
- Relationship building
- Team leadership
Certification
- Certified Servsafe Proctor And Teacher
Timeline
Regional Operation Manager
Rise Brands
03.2021 - Current
Regional Operations Director
Red Robin International
11.2018 - 03.2021
Training General Manager
Red Robin International
09.2014 - 11.2018
Executive General Manager
Applebee's "Thomas & King"
01.2003 - 09.2014
High School Diploma -
Hilliard Davidson High School