Miko Spencer
Elgin,IL
Summary
Adaptable and growth-focused manager with extensive experience across hospitality, restaurant, and entertainment industries. Passionate about team development, operational excellence, and creating memorable guest experiences through hands-on leadership and continuous improvement. Known for balancing empathy, accountability, and strong operational awareness in fast-paced environments.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant General Manager
Gia Mia
Naperville, Illinois
04.2025 - Current
- Prepared and analyzed weekly operational and financial reports, including labor performance, sales projections, PMIX trends, and cost management strategies.
- Managed labor scheduling and real-time floor operations for a high-volume restaurant environment while maintaining service standards and labor targets.
- Assisted in optimizing FOH labor deployment based on sales forecasting and service flow.
- Applied knowledge of coverage needs and individual employee strengths to produce successful team schedules.
- Resolved guest concerns with professionalism and empathy while protecting the overall dining experience.
- Contributed to operational decision making through sales awareness, staffing analysis, and floor observations.
Assistant General Manager
Whirlyball
Naperville, Illinois
01.2025 - 04.2025
- Mentored staff members, fostering a supportive work environment that enhanced employee performance and retention.
- Crafted special drink and cocktail menu items for seasonal offerings.
- Increased revenue with creative marketing initiatives and promotional events such as, but not limited to, Beat The Brewer
- Adhered to state laws regarding alcoholic beverage services and customer regulations.
- Maintained high standards of customer service by staying up to date on bar and menu options and providing effective food recommendations for guests.
Operations Manager
WhirlyBall
Naperville, Illinois
01.2023 - 12.2024
- Developed strong relationships with vendors, resulting in better pricing and improved service quality.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, identifying areas for improvement and developing action plans and goals to address them.
- Oversaw all FOH and Amusement staff, including scheduling for servers, bartenders, referees, guest service agents, and facilities management.
- Cultivated new business opportunities by attending industry conferences, networking events, and conducting targeted outreach initiatives.
District General Manager
Bonita Bowls
Elmhurst, Illinois
07.2022 - 01.2023
- Increased district-wide efficiency by implementing new management strategies and streamlining processes.
- Optimized resource allocation to maximize the district's overall profitability and financial stability.
- Introduced and implemented food safety protocols and procedures where there weren't any prior.
- Created recipes for seasonal and year-round menus.
- Reduced food waste by creating proper inventory tracking and implementing proper food storage techniques.
- Increased overall profitability with effective budget management, including cost control strategies for purchasing, selecting new vendors, and monitoring labor expenses.
Assistant General Manager/Assistant Lead Kitchen
Core Life Eatery
Downers Grove, Illinois
08.2018 - 07.2022
- Delivered superior training and leadership to teams of up to 35 to boost performance and help team members achieve performance targets.
- Managed team schedule with eye for coverage needs and individual strengths.
- Assisted in small marketing for upcoming events, catering, and new restaurant awareness.
- Cultivated performance-based culture based on individual accountability, goal attainment and team achievement.
Apprentice General Manager
Chipotle
04.2019 - 12.2021
- Carefully interviewed, selected, and trained supervised staff at the Crew and Management level.
- Performed semiannual performance reviews to all Crew and hourly Management staff.
- Correctly calculated inventory and ordered appropriate product and supplies.
- Oversaw all front of house and back of house staff to maintain adequate staffing and minimize overtime.
- Responsible for the forecasting of store sales and the assurance to stay within 6% of each weekly forecast as well as entire month forecast.
- Set up catering, fundraisers, and promo days in order to strengthen community engagement as well as boost sales.
- Organized and directed worker training programs as well as reformulating opening and closing procedures.
- Conducted regular audits to ensure overall compliance.
- Provided assistance to GM in all facets of daily operation, acting as manager on duty in the absence of the General Manager.
Service Manager
Chipotle
07.2016 - 04.2019
- Investigated and resolved complaints regarding food quality, service, or accommodations.
- Managed crew breaks, shift changes, line schedules, and opening and closing procedures.
- Ordered and purchased equipment, office supplies, kitchen supplies, and uniforms.
- Reviewed work procedures and operational problems to determine ways to improve service, performance, or safety.
- Assessed staffing needs, and recruited staff using methods such as online advertisements or attendance at job fairs.
- Supported multiple locations in training, NRO's, and filling gaps where needed.
Crew Member
Taco Bell
Downers Grove, Illinois
02.2017 - 01.2018
- Maintained sanitation, health, and safety standards in work areas.
- Verified that prepared food meets requirements for quality and quantity.
- Ensured all orders were made quickly, accurately, and according to portion sizes and weight expectations for all in house and drive thru orders.
Kitchen Manager
Chipotle
Naperville, Illinois
01.2014 - 07.2016
- Monitored food preparation methods, portion sizes, and garnishing and presentation of food to ensure that food is prepared and presented in an acceptable manner.
- Ensured all food safety procedures were followed.
- Maintained kitchen cleanliness and sanitation through correct procedures.
- Scheduled and received food and dry good deliveries, checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Monitored food waste and inventory levels while resolving food quality issues.
- Arranged for equipment maintenance and repairs, and coordinated a variety of services such as waste removal, pest control, and inspections.
Education
High School Diploma -
Willowbrook High School
Villa Park, IL06.2012
Some College (No Degree) - Business And Education
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, ILSkills
- Toast
- Hot Schedules
- Back Office/Rasi
- Microsoft Excel/Teams/Word
- Resy
- Infor
- Tripleseat
- Eventbrite
- Restaurant 365
- Paylocity
- Paycom
- Gusto
- Homebase
Skills
- Team Leadership & Development
- Labor & Payroll Management
- Food Safety & Compliance
- Inventory & Cost Control
- Recruitment & Hiring
- Scheduling & Workforce Planning
- Operational Strategy
- Guest Experience & Resolution
Certification
• Illinois BASSET - Expires May 2029
• Illinois Food Allergens Course - Expires May 2029
• ServSafe Manager Certification - Expires May 2026
• Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED - Expires Feb 19th 2027
• Illinois Food Allergens Course - Expires May 2029
• ServSafe Manager Certification - Expires May 2026
• Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED - Expires Feb 19th 2027
Timeline
Assistant General Manager
Gia Mia
04.2025 - Current
Assistant General Manager
Whirlyball
01.2025 - 04.2025
Operations Manager
WhirlyBall
01.2023 - 12.2024
District General Manager
Bonita Bowls
07.2022 - 01.2023
Apprentice General Manager
Chipotle
04.2019 - 12.2021
Assistant General Manager/Assistant Lead Kitchen
Core Life Eatery
08.2018 - 07.2022
Crew Member
Taco Bell
02.2017 - 01.2018
Service Manager
Chipotle
07.2016 - 04.2019
Kitchen Manager
Chipotle
01.2014 - 07.2016
High School Diploma -
Willowbrook High School
Some College (No Degree) - Business And Education
College of DuPage