Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Mindy Grider

Litchfield,IL

Summary

Enthusiastic and reliable professional takes pride in providing excellent customer service and creating memorable dining experiences for restaurant customers. Skilled in anticipating customer needs, addressing complaints and resolving issues in timely manner. Maintains focus and positive attitude in stressful situations and high-volume environments.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience

Work History

Server/Shift Lead

Wks Restaurants (Dennys)
08.2009 - Current
  • Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
  • Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
  • Maintained professional, organized, and safe environment for employees and patrons.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
  • Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
  • Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
  • Controlled costs to keep business operating within budget and increase profits.
  • Communicated clearly with employees, suppliers and stakeholders to keep everyone on same page and working toward established business goals.
  • Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
  • Monitored and analyzed business performance to identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments.
  • Developed a strong company culture focused on employee engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning opportunities.
  • Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
  • Improved marketing to attract new customers and promote business.
  • Reduced operational costs through comprehensive process improvement initiatives and resource management.
  • Ensured compliance with industry regulations and legal requirements by implementing comprehensive policies and training programs for staff members.
  • Mentored junior team members for career advancement, fostering a pipeline of future leaders within the organization.
  • Championed diversity and inclusion efforts within the workplace, resulting in an inclusive environment that fostered creativity and innovation among employees from various backgrounds.
  • Maintained professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry customers.
  • Opened and closed location and monitored shift changes to uphold successful operations strategies and maximize business success.
  • Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
  • Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
  • Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
  • Collaborated with team members during busy shifts for efficient workflow and excellent guest experiences.
  • Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
  • Performed opening and closing duties, ensuring the dining area was prepared for seamless service transitions.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by promptly attending to their needs and providing personalized service.
  • Maintained a clean and orderly dining area for an enjoyable guest experience.
  • Provided attentive service during high-volume periods without sacrificing attention to detail or guest rapport.
  • Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
  • Addressed customer complaints or concerns professionally, ensuring swift resolution and maintaining positive relationships.
  • Assisted in training new hires, providing guidance on restaurant standards and best practices.
  • Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally to maintain positive reputation.
  • Maintained clean and organized dining areas to uphold restaurant hygiene standards.
  • Handled cash transactions accurately, contributing to balanced daily financial reports.
  • Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
  • Supported colleagues during peak hours, fostering a collaborative work environment that enhanced overall productivity levels.
  • Followed health and safety protocols crucial for maintaining safe and sanitary environments for customers and staff.
  • Developed strong rapport with regular customers through genuine hospitality efforts leading to repeat business.
  • Increased sales with upselling techniques and thorough knowledge of menu items, specials, and promotions.
  • Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
  • Coordinated with kitchen staff to ensure timely delivery of orders, resulting in satisfied customers.
  • Used slow periods to restock supplies, ice, trays, and delivery bags.
  • Adhered to proper food handling procedures and safety guidelines for the well-being of guests and team members alike.
  • Utilized communication practices with kitchen staff to deliver customer meals in timely manner.
  • Consistently met or exceeded performance goals related to sales targets, customer satisfaction ratings, and order accuracy.
  • Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business.
  • Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
  • Maximized table turnover rate by efficiently managing reservations and seating arrangements.
  • Contributed to inventory management by monitoring stock levels and notifying management when supplies were low.
  • Seated customers in timely manner by managing reservations and waitlists skillfully.
  • Utilized expert knowledge of dietary restrictions to assist patrons in making informed menu selections tailored to individual preferences or limitations.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on industry trends and improve service offerings continually.
  • Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
  • Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
  • Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
  • Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals, and walk-in business.
  • Maintained thorough menu knowledge to sufficiently answer questions regarding menu item sourcing, ingredients and cooking methods.
  • Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
  • Maintained order efficiency and accuracy through clear communication with kitchen staff, earning numerous recommendations from satisfied customers.
  • Resolved guest and employee complaints to maintain complete customer satisfaction and workforce effectiveness.
  • Processed orders and sent to kitchen employees for preparation.
  • Helped customers with dietary restrictions, allergies and intolerances obtain safe, delicious food by working closely with kitchen staff on alternatives.
  • Presented menus to patrons promptly after seating and answered questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
  • Printed dining checks with total due, collected payment and offered receipts to complete transactions.
  • Strategically timed check-ins with customers to take orders and confirm satisfaction with meals after delivery, taking action to correct any problems.
  • Increased sales significantly by upselling higher-end products to customers.
  • Inspected dishes and utensils for cleanliness.
  • Supervised dining table set-up to prepare for diversity of event types, following strict service standards.
  • Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by managing multiple tables simultaneously without compromising service quality.

Server

Dennys Restaurant
08.1999 - 05.2000
  • Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by managing multiple tables simultaneously without compromising service quality.
  • Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
  • Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
  • Collaborated with team members during busy shifts for efficient workflow and excellent guest experiences.
  • Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
  • Performed opening and closing duties, ensuring the dining area was prepared for seamless service transitions.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by promptly attending to their needs and providing personalized service.
  • Maintained a clean and orderly dining area for an enjoyable guest experience.
  • Provided attentive service during high-volume periods without sacrificing attention to detail or guest rapport.
  • Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
  • Addressed customer complaints or concerns professionally, ensuring swift resolution and maintaining positive relationships.
  • Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally to maintain positive reputation.
  • Maintained clean and organized dining areas to uphold restaurant hygiene standards.
  • Handled cash transactions accurately, contributing to balanced daily financial reports.
  • Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
  • Supported colleagues during peak hours, fostering a collaborative work environment that enhanced overall productivity levels.
  • Followed health and safety protocols crucial for maintaining safe and sanitary environments for customers and staff.
  • Developed strong rapport with regular customers through genuine hospitality efforts leading to repeat business.
  • Increased sales with upselling techniques and thorough knowledge of menu items, specials, and promotions.
  • Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
  • Coordinated with kitchen staff to ensure timely delivery of orders, resulting in satisfied customers.
  • Used slow periods to restock supplies, ice, trays, and delivery bags.
  • Adhered to proper food handling procedures and safety guidelines for the well-being of guests and team members alike.
  • Utilized communication practices with kitchen staff to deliver customer meals in timely manner.
  • Implemented effective communication strategies between front-of-house and back-of-house staff for streamlined operations.
  • Consistently met or exceeded performance goals related to sales targets, customer satisfaction ratings, and order accuracy.
  • Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business.
  • Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
  • Maximized table turnover rate by efficiently managing reservations and seating arrangements.
  • Learned and followed local alcohol laws to keep restaurant compliant with regulations while serving spirits.
  • Contributed to inventory management by monitoring stock levels and notifying management when supplies were low.
  • Seated customers in timely manner by managing reservations and waitlists skillfully.
  • Utilized expert knowledge of dietary restrictions to assist patrons in making informed menu selections tailored to individual preferences or limitations.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on industry trends and improve service offerings continually.
  • Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
  • Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
  • Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
  • Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals, and walk-in business.
  • Maintained thorough menu knowledge to sufficiently answer questions regarding menu item sourcing, ingredients and cooking methods.
  • Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
  • Maintained order efficiency and accuracy through clear communication with kitchen staff, earning numerous recommendations from satisfied customers.
  • Resolved guest and employee complaints to maintain complete customer satisfaction and workforce effectiveness.
  • Processed orders and sent to kitchen employees for preparation.
  • Helped customers with dietary restrictions, allergies and intolerances obtain safe, delicious food by working closely with kitchen staff on alternatives.
  • Presented menus to patrons promptly after seating and answered questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
  • Printed dining checks with total due, collected payment and offered receipts to complete transactions.
  • Strategically timed check-ins with customers to take orders and confirm satisfaction with meals after delivery, taking action to correct any problems.
  • Increased sales significantly by upselling higher-end products to customers.
  • Inspected dishes and utensils for cleanliness.
  • Checked guests' identification before serving alcoholic beverages.
  • Supervised dining table set-up to prepare for diversity of event types, following strict service standards.

Delivery Driver

Pizza Hut
08.1999 - 05.2000
  • Delivered packages to customer doorsteps and business offices.
  • Completed on-time deliveries by choosing best and most efficient routes.
  • Improved customer satisfaction by ensuring timely and accurate deliveries of products.
  • Read maps, followed oral, and written instructions and used GPS technology to make deliveries.
  • Operated vehicle safely in highly congested areas with no traffic violations.
  • Completed rush deliveries on tight timetables to satisfy customer needs.
  • Maintained upbeat, positive attitude in busy, customer-focused environment.
  • Loaded truck and properly secured items to prevent damage for deliveries.
  • Worked scheduled hours as required and took on available shifts during holidays and busy periods.
  • Managed customer inquiries and complaints in polite and professional manner.
  • Enhanced delivery efficiency by optimizing routes using GPS navigation and mapping tools.
  • Verified accuracy of all deliveries against order forms.
  • Upheld high standards of professionalism while representing the company during interactions with customers, vendors, and other stakeholders.
  • Maintained strong relationships with clients through proactive communication and personalized service.
  • Expedited deliveries to meet customer deadlines and requirements.
  • Demonstrated exceptional time management skills in consistently meeting tight deadlines without compromising quality or safety.
  • Ensured the safety of all goods transported by securing loads properly and following best practices for handling fragile items.
  • Inspected and maintained delivery vehicles regularly to keep in safe working order.
  • Increased repeat business through excellent customer service and prompt resolution of any issues or concerns.
  • Developed strong working knowledge of local traffic laws and regulations to facilitate smooth navigation on-the-job safely.
  • Kept meticulous records of deliveries, including invoices, delivery confirmations, and any other required documentation to ensure accurate tracking and billing processes.
  • Exemplified commitment to teamwork by assisting fellow drivers with technical support or coverage during peak periods as needed.
  • Boosted overall efficiency by effectively managing multiple tasks simultaneously, such as loading and unloading vehicles, route planning, and paperwork completion.
  • Reduced vehicle downtime and repair costs by performing routine maintenance checks and adhering to preventive measures.
  • Accomplished seamless handovers between shifts through clear communication with colleagues about completed tasks, ongoing responsibilities, and relevant updates.
  • Successfully avoided time delivery delays by carefully planning best routes.
  • Documented mileage, deliveries, pickups, customer issues and damages.
  • Fostered positive working relationships with regular customers.

Crew Member Cook

Taco Bell Restaurant
05.1996 - 08.1999
  • Handled high-pressure situations effectively, maintaining composure during rush periods while continuing to deliver exceptional service quality.
  • Maintained a clean and organized kitchen environment for optimal food safety and quality assurance.
  • Worked in fast-paced environment with sense of urgency to serve guests quickly.
  • Prepared food items according to recipe to drive quality and consistency.
  • Kept kitchen up to code for health and safety inspections.
  • Managed multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritizing responsibilities to ensure all aspects of the kitchen and service areas functioned smoothly.
  • Prepared food items such as meats, poultry, and fish for frying purposes.
  • Demonstrated attention to detail while assembling meals according to specific customer requests or dietary restrictions.
  • Trained new crew members on proper cooking techniques, food safety practices, and company policies.
  • Collaborated with team members to provide seamless customer service during peak hours.
  • Understood cooking techniques and fundamentals to maximize safe food handling.
  • Maximized sales potential by properly prepping, storing, and rotating food products.
  • Promoted a safe working environment by strictly adhering to safety procedures and promptly addressing potential hazards.
  • Contributed to overall team success by proactively seeking opportunities for improvement and offering assistance to colleagues when needed.
  • Exhibited adaptability by quickly learning new menu items, recipes, and preparation methods as required by seasonal changes or promotions.
  • Reduced food waste through proper portion control measures and careful monitoring of product expiry dates.
  • Ensured compliance with local health department regulations through diligent adherence to sanitation protocols and regular inspections.
  • Improved customer satisfaction by efficiently preparing and serving food orders in a timely manner.
  • Contributed to positive workplace morale through effective communication and teamwork skills.
  • Supported management in achieving sales targets through consistent upselling of premium menu options when appropriate.
  • Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
  • Increased operational efficiency by maintaining all necessary equipment and promptly reporting any issues or malfunctions.
  • Fostered strong relationships with customers, addressing their concerns professionally and providing prompt resolutions when needed.
  • Enhanced overall dining experience by consistently delivering high-quality dishes prepared in adherence to strict recipe guidelines.
  • Streamlined order processing by accurately inputting orders into the point-of-sale system and communicating effectively with front-of-house staff.
  • Served as an effective brand ambassador, consistently representing the company''s values through professionalism, dedication, and excellent customer service skills.
  • Prepared meals with special accommodations for those with allergies.
  • Delivered instructions clearly and respectfully to avoid errors due to miscommunication.
  • Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, storage, use of kitchen equipment and sanitation.
  • Checked temperature of foods to guarantee doneness and prevent food-borne illnesses.
  • Checked each food item for freshness and provided feedback to kitchen supervisor for removal.
  • Interacted with customers to address kitchen-related complaints and praise.
  • Handled portion control activities according to specified instructions provided by chef.
  • Planned order execution to simultaneously deliver items ordered together.
  • Operated grills, fryers and ovens to cook food items.
  • Restocked inventory and ingredient items to maintain optimal kitchen efficiency.
  • Trained and assisted new kitchen staff members.
  • Cleaned and sanitized work areas, utensils and equipment.
  • Provided excellent customer service by taking orders, answering questions and responding to customer complaints.
  • Monitored food temperatures to meet quality and safety standards.
  • Followed company recipes and production standards to satisfy customers.
  • Wrapped up and stored unused food in appropriate containers and placed in refrigerator to avoid spoilage.
  • Reduced customer waiting by batch cooking popular items during rush times.
  • Learned new menu offerings and options easily to assist customers with selecting items.
  • Contributed to consistent customer satisfaction rating by producing high-quality food and providing timely service.

Education

Medical Massage Science -

Missouri College
St Louis, MO
05.2001

High School Diploma -

Litchfield High School
Litchfield, IL
05.1998

Skills

  • Strong Work Ethic
  • Exceptional customer service
  • Cash Handling
  • Guest Engagement
  • Professional Appearance
  • Hospitality service expertise
  • Memory retention
  • Cleanliness standards
  • Safe Food Handling
  • Menu Memorization
  • Food Running
  • High-volume dining
  • Service prioritization
  • Sales expertise
  • Food safety understanding
  • Sales Techniques
  • Order Accuracy
  • Supply Restocking
  • Quality Control
  • Food safety practices
  • Performance Improvement
  • Table Bussing
  • Suggestive Selling
  • Guest Relations Management
  • Point of sale operation
  • Relationship Management
  • Dining area maintenance
  • Allergy awareness
  • Order Management
  • Beverage Preparation
  • Tableside Etiquette
  • Food sales and promotion
  • Guest Seating
  • Table Setting
  • Item promotion
  • Table setting knowledge
  • Ordering Procedures
  • Food station setup
  • Menu presentation
  • Daily specials memorization
  • Food and beverage pairings
  • Food Delivery
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Order delivery practices
  • Bill computation
  • Food inspection
  • Front-of-house display creation
  • Food spoilage prevention
  • Team Player
  • Reliable and Responsible
  • Warm and Friendly
  • Adaptable and Flexible
  • High Energy and Stamina
  • Team Leadership
  • Cool Under Pressure
  • Relationship Building
  • Decision-Making
  • Transactions and Cash Handling
  • Conflict and Complaint Resolution
  • Cleaning and sanitizing
  • Food handling
  • Food and Beverage Service
  • Staff Training
  • Workflow Coordination
  • Ability to Lift 30 Pounds
  • Food Safety Standards
  • Food Preparation and Safety
  • Upselling
  • Hospitality best practices
  • Menu Recommendations
  • Food and Beverage Upselling
  • Upselling and Cross Selling
  • Table Monitoring and Turnover
  • Inventory Management
  • Specials Promotion and Upselling
  • Courteous Phone Demeanor
  • Tableside Service
  • Special Requests and Substitutions
  • Process Monitoring

Timeline

Server/Shift Lead

Wks Restaurants (Dennys)
08.2009 - Current

Server

Dennys Restaurant
08.1999 - 05.2000

Delivery Driver

Pizza Hut
08.1999 - 05.2000

Crew Member Cook

Taco Bell Restaurant
05.1996 - 08.1999

Medical Massage Science -

Missouri College

High School Diploma -

Litchfield High School
Mindy Grider