Experience

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  Bagels With Deli

  • Delray Beach, Florida, United States

  • Principal at Bagels With Deli

    • Nov 2020 - Present
    • Delray Beach, Florida, United States

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  Jaha Chicken

  • West Palm Beach, Florida Area

  • Chief Operating Officer

    • 2013 - 2019
    • West Palm Beach, Florida Area

    Returned to company to lead growth program. Lead acquisition of 14 KFCs and implemented organic growth program to launch new KFC franchises. Responsible for all store operations; drive continuous improvements, process standardization, and customer focused culture. Oversee dynamic team comprised of accountant, business analyst, financial projects specialist, human resources manager, field trainer, and 3 regional managers directly, and team of 18 general managers, 54 assistant managers, and 400 to 500 team members. Defined and developed forward-thinking business vision and strategy that showcased turnaround plan for underperforming franchises and commercial value of property that helped secure Small Business Association (SBA) and bank loans needed to execute transaction.  Acquired 14 KFCs and associated land. Earned KFC’s “COO’s Personal Award for Most Successful Acquisition” for purchasing KFC portfolio in distressed market that ranked among bottom 10% nationally; led turnaround that drove all stores to meet or exceed average revenue and profit rankings within 18 months. Developed and planned organic expansion program, opening new stores in 2017 and 2018 and scheduling 3 additional store openings for 2019 and 2020. Selected for Yum Brand CEO’s mentorship and leadership program in 2017, 1 of only 40 invited. Received 2+ “Best of the Best” awards for different stores every year for 5 consecutive years from KFC. Awarded “Operator of the Year” honor for 2013.Core Competencies: Acquisition Strategies | Organic Growth Strategies | Team Leadership | New Restaurant Launches | Cultural Change | Quality Initiatives | Turnaround Management | Revenue Growth Initiatives | Talent Mentoring | Negotiations

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  International Meal Company

  • São Paulo Area, Brazil

  • Projects Development Manager

    • 2011 - 2013
    • São Paulo Area, Brazil

    Served in strategic leadership role for Brazil-based restaurant company owned by Boston-based private equity firm, Advent International. Drove franchising of American brand restaurants to expand presence in captive markets (airports, shopping malls, roadways) throughout Panama, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Brazil. Led team of 6 business developers responsible for project planning, quality control standards implementation, and sales and metrics tracking. Analyzed financials information and operations for regional chains under consideration for acquisition. Established and refined restaurant operations processes and integrated supply chain for new restaurants into 580-restaurant group.  Managed process to become franchisee for American brands.  Launched 2 Carl’s Jr. stores in Panama, 2 in Dominican Republic, and 3 in Brazil, and established 2 Olive Garden stores and 1 Red Lobster store in Brazil.  Setup scalable and repeatable processes for each brand in each country, and passed operations to country management teams. Developed new store pipeline that included conducting market studies and identifying and securing sites at targeted prices for new restaurants across 5 countries. Earned 2011 “Developer of the Year Award” from Carl’s Jr. for opening Panama City Airport restaurant that generated most revenue globally in single year, and launching São Paulo store ranked among top 10% in revenue. Collaborated with team to acquire 24-store, Brazil-based Batata Inglesa chain.Core Competencies: Restaurant Franchising | Captive Market Strategies | Latin America Restaurant Supply Chain & Operations | Project Planning | Quality Control | Sales & Metrics Tracking | Financial Analysis | Business Evaluation | Process Standardization | New Store Pipeline Development | Mergers & Acquisitions

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  Jaha Chicken

  • West Palm Beach, Florida Area

  • Chief Operating Officer

    • 2000 - 2011
    • West Palm Beach, Florida Area

    Oversaw and led all operations for 3-restaurant KFC group. Ranked 1st place in restaurant operations among all small US KFC groups in 2011, recognized for consistent success, ranking among top 5 for past 15 years.  Invited to attend 2011 Leadership Excellence seminar with YUM Brands CEO at Louisville headquarters.  Served as Florida Representative for Association of KFC Franchisees between 2008 and 2011, responsible for representing needs of KFC Florida franchisees.Core Competencies: Restaurant Operations Leadership | Leadership Excellence