Matthew Ridgway
Mill Valley,CA
Summary
Dynamic and accomplished hospitality leader with experience managing high-volume restaurants and multi-unit operations, including Michelin-rated establishments.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
General Manager
Fieldwork Brewing
08.2024 - Current
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Implemented effective cost-saving measures to reduce overhead expenses without compromising quality or service.
- Implemented sustainability initiative, reducing energy consumption and waste, and promoting eco-friendly practices.
Assistant General Manager
Two A & H Entertainment (Hazie's)
05.2022 - 08.2024
- Exceeded profitability goals and customer expectations while assisting in the management of 150 seat, craft cocktail focused restaurant with 50+ employees & $6M operating budget
- Leveraged technology with POS integrated options to enhance suggestive selling capabilities, resulting in a significant 14.7% increase in check averages
- Implemented added cost control procedures to reduce food waste and improve inventory management resulting in a 15% average monthly cogs reduction
Maitre D'
Birdsong SF
01.2018 - 07.2022
- Provided leadership to 15+ member service team
- Responsible for training FOH staff on standard operating procedures and technical elements of service
- Awarded 1st Michelin star - 2019
- Awarded 2nd Michelin star - 2021
Education
Associate of Arts - Business Administration And Management
SRJC
Santa RosaSkills
- Full-Service Restaurant & Multi-Unit Operations
- Leadership and team building
- High-Pressure Decision Making & Crisis Management
- Data-Driven Financial Oversight & Reporting
- Cross-Departmental Leadership & Delegation
- Technology-Driven Operational Optimization
- Guest Recovery & Conflict Resolution
- Staff training/development
- Customer relationship management
Websites
Certification
California Food Manager Certification 2023
Selected Experience Highlights
- Directed daily operations across multiple high-volume venues, maintaining exceptional service quality in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
- Built strong guest rapport, resolving escalated complaints with empathy and consistently turning dissatisfied guests into loyal customers.
- Developed and delivered weekly and monthly performance reports to ownership, identifying areas for growth and operational efficiencies.
- Led initiatives to reduce costs by identifying underutilized inventory and renegotiating vendor contracts, resulting in an 8% improvement in profit margins.
- Cultivated a culture of accountability and creativity among staff by empowering department leads and encouraging data-driven experimentation.
- Embraced tech-forward systems to streamline reservations, inventory, and scheduling, contributing to overall workflow efficiency.
- Comfortable managing in dynamic settings, from formal dining rooms to outdoor venue operations during all weather conditions.
Timeline
General Manager
Fieldwork Brewing
08.2024 - Current
Assistant General Manager
Two A & H Entertainment (Hazie's)
05.2022 - 08.2024
Maitre D'
Birdsong SF
01.2018 - 07.2022
Associate of Arts - Business Administration And Management
SRJC
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