RAYMOND GARZA
Chicago,IL
Summary
Transformational leader in restaurant design and deployment, specializing in scalable solutions for national portfolios. Drives cross-functional initiatives in development, operations, technology, and supply chain. Broad experience in both team leadership and project delivery. Possess strong strategic planning abilities, coupled with the capability to coordinate operational initiatives for maximum efficiency. Proven track record of driving process improvements, enhancing productivity, and implementing innovative solutions. Skilled in building strong relationships across all levels of an organization to achieve business goals.
Overview
2
2
years of post-secondary education
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager- Lead Facilities Designer
McDonald's Corporation
Chicago, Illinois
12.2008 - Current
- Lead U.S. restaurant design, deployment governance, and operational experience working across national modernization, equipment, prototype, and reinvestment programs.
- Integrated efforts across restaurant development, operations, equipment, technology, supply chain, construction, field teams, architecture and engineering firms, and equipment suppliers.
- Translate strategic concepts and operational requirements into executable layouts, equipment packages, standards, readiness plans, and implementation decisions.
- Direct feasibility, capacity, utility, workflow, and infrastructure reviews for initiatives affecting thousands of restaurants across varied building types and operating conditions.
- Advise senior leaders on design tradeoffs, deployment risk, capital implications, operational impacts, and sequencing decisions.
- Developed governance models, review standards, onboarding processes, and digital tracking workflows to enhance consistency, visibility, and execution speed.
- Coordinated with consultants and external partners on complex design requirements, approvals, escalations, and delivery of field-ready solutions.
- Support talent acquisition, coaching, onboarding, and capability development for restaurant design and review functions.
- Progressive restaurant design and development leadership | 19+ years
Facilities Designer
McDonald's Corporate
Chicago, IL
03.2007 - 12.2008
- Coordinated the production and accuracy of commercial kitchen documents.
- Developed comprehensive project plans for facility design., and facility design documents using AutoCAD.
- Determine the appropriate building and equipment components, their design and their compliance with local and national codes.
- Apply strong space planning principles to create efficient, functional, and user centered environments.
- Analyze operational requirements and workflow patterns to optimize employee experience.
- Apply strong space planning principles to create efficient, functional, and user centered environments.
- Analyze operational requirements and workflow patterns to optimize employee; Collaborated with regional development, operations, owner operators, and corporate partners to enhance project outcomes.
- Coordinate design updates and revisions with architects, consultants, project managers, and internal stakeholders.
- Review construction documents and design packages for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with design standards.
- Support new restaurant development, remodel, reinvestment, and prototype initiatives.
- Conducted equipment placement studies, created design standards, and planned operational processes.
- Maintain project documentation and drawing records throughout the project lifecycle.
- Participate in cross-functional teams focused on improving restaurant operations, employee experience, and customer experience.
Fixture Planning
Sears Holdings Headquarters
Hoffman Estates, Illinois
01.2006 - 03.2007
- Develop fixture design concepts that meet company merchandising, aesthetics, and functionality.
- Evaluated materials and construction techniques with fixture manufacturers to develop detailed specifications for fixtures.
- Work with fixture manufacturers to evaluate materials and construction techniques to create fixture details and specifications.
- Created three-dimensional drawings for analysis and presentation to assess design feasibility.
- Coordinate with vendor to secure sample fixtures and proto-type cost forrequired sample.
Architectural Designer / CAD Manager
AP/DG Inc.
Downers Grove, Illinois
09.2002 - 01.2006
- Executed space programming, space planning, and conceptual design while developing detailed designs, reviewing fee proposals and estimates, coordinating with vendors, leading construction meetings, and monitoring construction activities.
- Reviewed and revised design plans to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and codes, enhancing project approval success.
- Coordinated with engineers and contractors to assess design feasibility, facilitating smoother project execution.
- Prepared comprehensive construction documents, including specifications and drawings, streamlining the construction process.
- Developed conceptual design ideas in accordance with client requirements.
- Specified materials, finishes, fixtures, furnishings, equipment, systems and components necessary for the completion of a project.
- Collaborated with other professionals such as engineers, surveyors, and contractors on projects.
- Drafted working details for furniture layouts for interior spaces within the built environment.
- Reviewed shop drawings prepared by contractors for conformance with contract documents.
- Engaged with project stakeholders to clarify design specifications. and procedures with project manager, engineering team, and construction manager.
- Maintained architectural construction documentation and drawings for each phase of fast-track projects.
- Prepared cost estimates for proposed construction projects.
- Assisted in preparing bid documents including drawings, specifications, schedules and budgets.
- Documented all design phases, including SD, DD and CD.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to strict deadlines.
- Executed post-occupancy evaluations of completed projects to gather insights on user satisfaction levels.
- Organized and stored project documentation in both electronic and physical formats for easy retrieval. and solved CAD-related problems.
- Reviewed contractors' schedules and the submission of shop drawings and samples.
Architectural Designer / CAD Manager
Carter & Burgess, Inc.
Warrenville, Illinois
09.1999 - 03.2002
- Developed architectural designs using advanced software tools and techniques.
- Executed space programming, planned spatial layouts, created conceptual designs, and produced construction documents to align with client vision while collaborating with vendors.
- Collaborated with clients to understand project requirements and vision.
- Created detailed drawings and specifications for construction projects.
- Managed CAD department workload, established project timelines, ensured CAD quality control, organized electronic and hardcopy project documentation, and resolved CAD-related issues during production.
- Produced detailed architectural drawings using AutoCAD and Revit software.
- Designed architectural plans using AutoCAD and SketchUp software.
- Coordinated with engineers and contractors for project feasibility and implementation.
- Reviewed building codes and regulations to ensure compliance in designs.
- Conducted site visits to assess progress and address design issues promptly.
- Specified materials, finishes, fixtures, furnishings, equipment, systems and components necessary for the completion of a project.
- Developed conceptual design ideas in accordance with client requirements.
- Collaborated with other professionals such as engineers, surveyors, and contractors on projects.
- Discussed design specifications and procedures with project manager, engineering team, and construction manager.
- Maintained architectural construction documentation and drawings for each phase of fast-track projects.
CAD Operator / Designer
SCIENTECH, Inc.
Downers Grove, Illinois
03.1998 - 08.1999
- Develop site plans, floor plans, building layouts/space planning, elevation views, mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, PCS communications and microwave tower site drawings for several PCS locations in the Midwest Midwest.
- Created detailed CAD drawings for engineering projects at SCIENTECH, Inc..
- Further responsibilities include managing project files to ensure organization and accessibility., Maintained accurate inventory records for effective stock management., and Facilitated project timelines and communication among team members..
- Collaborated with engineers to modify designs and specifications.
- Maintained organized files of design revisions and project changes.
- Collaborated with architects, engineers, and customers to resolve planning and construction issues across multiple projects.
- Maintained organized digital files of all CAD documents created or modified during the project lifecycle.
- Met tight deadlines while fostering strong team collaboration to achieve challenging objectives.
- Performed onsite measurements to determine appropriate layouts.
- Conducted field surveys, inspections and technical investigations to obtain data for construction drawing revisions.
- Traveled to job sites to meet with contractors and advise on corrective measures to resolve improper implementations.
- Managed project files to ensure organization and accessibility, maintained accurate inventory records for effective stock management, and facilitated project timelines and communication among team members..
Cad Planner
Sears Headquarters
Hoffman Estates, Illinois
06.1996 - 03.1998
- Allocated store space for divisions based on planning strategy to enhance product visibility and customer experience.
- Determined placement and quantity of merchandise for Men’s and Kids divisions to optimize sales performance.
- Nine months of merchandise/ fixture planning. Duties included determining amount and placement of merchandise for Men’s and Kids divisions.
- Managed timelines for tasks assigned by upper management, ensuring project milestones were met on schedule.
- Monitored project progress and adjusted plans to meet goals on time and within budget.
- Implemented methodologies and technical solutions for planning projects.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Construction Technology
Joliet Junior College
Joliet, Illinois 08.1997 - 05.1999
Skills
- Design & Operations
- Restaurant Development
- Commercial Kitchen Strategy
- Space & Capacity Planning
- Operational Experience
- Deployment Excellence
- Readiness & Risk Management
- Process Improvement
- Cross-Functional Execution
- Program Leadership
- Portfolio Leadership
- Enterprise Strategy
- Executive Alignment
- Technical Governance
- Digital Transformation
- Workflow Automation
- Portfolio Reporting
- Software: AutoCAD, Bluebeam Revu, Smartsheet, SharePoint, Microsoft 365, Copilot, AI Workflow Automation
- Vendor management
- Project management
- Team coordination
- Feasibility analysis
- Construction documentation
- Process improvement
- Client collaboration
- Strategic planning
- Innovation management
- Staff training and development
- Complex Problem-solving
- Workforce management
- Operations management
- Cross-functional team management
- Employee onboarding
- Cross-functional teamwork
Personal Information
Title: ENTERPRISE RESTAURANT DESIGN, DEPLOYMENT & TRANSFORMATION LEADER
Selected Career Achievements
Strategic Enterprise Impact
- Led planning and execution support for multiple enterprise initiatives involving restaurant modernization, equipment deployment, operational transformation, and future growth platforms.
- Influenced decisions affecting capital investment priorities, deployment sequencing, and implementation strategies across the U.S. system.
Enterprise Collaboration
- Successfully aligned stakeholders across Operations, Restaurant Development, Technology, Supply Chain, Equipment Services, Construction, and external partners to deliver strategic initiatives.
- Built a reputation as a trusted cross-functional leader capable of navigating complex organizational challenges.
Innovation Leadership
- Identified and implemented AI and workflow automation opportunities that improved organizational efficiency and reduced manual processes.
- Advanced digital transformation efforts through adoption of modern collaboration, reporting, and workflow-management solutions.
Operational Strategy
- Developed frameworks and governance processes supporting scalability, execution consistency, and organizational readiness for large-scale initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to connect strategic objectives to practical execution in highly complex operating environments.
Timeline
Manager- Lead Facilities Designer
McDonald's Corporation
12.2008 - Current
Facilities Designer
McDonald's Corporate
03.2007 - 12.2008
Fixture Planning
Sears Holdings Headquarters
01.2006 - 03.2007
Architectural Designer / CAD Manager
AP/DG Inc.
09.2002 - 01.2006
Architectural Designer / CAD Manager
Carter & Burgess, Inc.
09.1999 - 03.2002
CAD Operator / Designer
SCIENTECH, Inc.
03.1998 - 08.1999
Associate of Applied Science - Construction Technology
Joliet Junior College
08.1997 - 05.1999
Cad Planner
Sears Headquarters
06.1996 - 03.1998