Chris Adams

Chief Operating Officer at Benson's Restaurant Group and EVP of Food and Beverage at Marcus Investments

Oak Creek, Wisconsin, United States

About

Experienced Chief Operating Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the restaurant, casino and hotel industry. Strong operations professional skilled in Restaurant Concepts, Restaurant Openings, Multi Unit Restaurant Operations, Hotel Food and Beverage, Regional Management, Gaming Industry, Catering, Sales, Hospitality Industry, and Event Management. Strong ability to develop new brands and franchising.

Experience

  • Benson's Restaurant Group (7 yrs)
    • Chief Operating Officer
      Feb 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 6 mos

    • Executive Vice President
      Apr 2021 - Feb 2023 · 1 yr 11 mos

    • Vice President of Operations and Development
      Aug 2019 - Apr 2021 · 1 yr 9 mos

      Overseeing operations at The Bridgewater Modern Grill, Onesto, Smoke Shack BBQ, Blue Bat Kitchen, The Edison, AJ Bombers, and Franchisor of Zaffiro’s Pizza.

  • The Bartolotta Restaurants (8 yrs 7 mos)
    • Multi Unit Director Bartolotta Restaurant Group
      Jun 2012 - Aug 2019 · 7 yrs 3 mos

      Overseeing Mr. B's Steakhouse- Brookfield/Mequon, Joey Gerard's a Bartolotta Supper Club, Miss Beverly's BBQ, Downtown Kitchen at US Bank Building, Kohl's Corporate Headquarters, Peck and Bushel Organic Apple Orchard. - Responsible for creating new efficiencies through system development - Project managed two restaurant concepts with complete renovations. Maintaining time line and budget goals - Developed General Managers into Multi Unit Directors - Integral in designing, opening and maintaining new restaurant concepts - Overseeing training for both front line team members and Manager/Chefs - Developed company standards and systems - Implemented new inventory system to create better efficiencies - Developed partnerships with new business opportunities - Help to create a new corporate dining experience for Kohl's World Headquarters

    • General Manager- Harbor House Restaurant
      Feb 2011 - Jun 2012 · 1 yr 5 mos

      - Oversaw 130 Team Members to include 4 Managers and 5 Chefs - Increase Revenue and Profitability by 10% - Redeveloped the patio bar to increase effeicencies - Achieved year over year record profits and revenues while reducing labor and operation costs - Developed marketing plan to increase viability in Milwaukee and Chicago - Promoted and Developed Managers to the next level

  • Food and Beverage Director at KeyLime Cove Indoor Waterpark Resort
    Apr 2010 - Feb 2011 · 11 mos

    - Oversaw 120 Team Members - Reduced food cost from 54% to 23% with in 2 Months - Achieved Financial Goals and Budgets - Achieved Highest Customer Service Scores - Developed 5 Managers and 4 Chefs through training and mentoring - Redeveloped 2 new concepts to achieve additional profitability

  • Assistant Food and Beverage Director at Potawatomi Bingo Casino
    Sep 2000 - Apr 2010 · 9 yrs 8 mos

    -Managed a team of nearly 700 team members. -Successfully developed six restaurant concepts with two 100 million dollar plus expansions. -Managed a budget of over 30 million dollars annually. -Developed front line team members into managers and general managers -Designed successful Internal Controls and Systems for the entire department -Created a Manager Training program for new managers

  • Wyndham Hotel (4 yrs 1 mo)
    • Sales Manager
      Feb 2000 - Sep 2000 · 8 mos

      - Responsible for the Social Market. - Increased market share by 33%.

    • Catering Sales Manager
      Jan 1999 - Feb 2000 · 1 yr 2 mos

      -Managed a variety of meetings and events from 10-500 people. -Developed new strategic wedding plan to increase weekend revenue. -Managed over 25 wedding as a the wedding planner

    • Catering Sales Manager
      Aug 1997 - Jan 1999 · 1 yr 6 mos

      -Achieved the highest per square foot revenue average for all Wyndham Hotels. -Increased sales through prospecting and developing existing clients. -Part of the Sales Team of the Year.