1. CORY STRICKLAND
Relocating to DFW, September 2016 806-673-0100 cory@the86group.com
BUSINESS ANALYST & CONSULTANT / OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
P&L / Market Identification & Development / Strategic Planning / Branding / Start Up / Turnaround
Revenue, Market Share and Earnings Growth / Systems & Controls / Project Management
Budgeting / Capital Funding / Multi-Unit Operations / Cost Control / Team Leadership / B2B Sales
Preform objective and comprehensive analysis of business to provide an unbiased view of its strengths and
weakness. Sell, design and implementation of consulting services to work with owners and operators on how to
increase profits, manage expenses, increase cash-flow, increase productivity, institute the proper systems and
controls, reduce taxes, and grow the business through effective sales & marketing or a strategic business plan.
Excellence in blending service operations and organizational / financial restructuring to achieve benchmark
performance goals. Developed forecasts and business models for fast, successful expansions using sophisticated
financial modeling. Maximized stakeholder value. Created lean, competitive, successful operations.
Consistently delivered operating profits near 20% in an industry where 10 to 15% is the norm. Raised over $15M in
private equity financing from high net worth individuals and institutional investors. Skilled in securing private
placements. Maximized return on working capital. Skilled in:
 Strategic planning & restructuring companies around optimal strategy and execution
 B2B sales & business development
 Business analysis, project management & business management
Bachelor of Business Administration, Texas Christian University (Statistical Analysis of Business & Economics).
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Provide business analysis, consulting and management services to businesses. Worked with over 50
different clients in various industries and sectors to help management to determine pragmatic solutions.
Took company upmarket, boosting customer traffic and revenue. Growth of Scratch Cookin’s most successful
brand, Ruby Tequila’s, was sluggish. Led comprehensive change management program incorporating market
research, organizational psychology, expansion of food and beverage quality and variety, and a new wait team
service model. Increased sales over 30% in one year.
Structured optimal equity, debt and security-based financing package. Secured difficult-to-obtain financing for
new restaurants. Utilized SBA 504b loan program offering government-backed loans through a CDC’s (certified
development company) open market debentures without having to assign any of Scratch Cookin’s assets as
security. Enabled the company to cultivate five new restaurant real estate partnerships.
Expedited further expansion through organizational restructuring. To facilitate further growth, split Scratch
Cookin’ restaurant operations off from real estate partnerships. Secured private equity expansion funding. Created
a reorganized business with over $6.5M in cash to continue the company’s growth. Boosted revenue 20%.
Focused business on most profitable niche. Scratch Cookin’s growth increased overhead and debt burden.
Reinvented company as a management business. Utilized newly freed funds to retire 90% of company debt and
concentrate on growing most successful brand. Created partnerships. Raised money through private placement
memorandum. Enabled Scratch Cookin’ to sell franchises, eliminating financial risk in opening new restaurants.
CAREER SUMMARY
Business Analyst / Consultant, The 86 Group, 2010 to Present. Preform business analysis. Sell, design and
project management of consulting and management services to various businesses and sectors between $1M -
$20M in revenue. Provide management and consulting services. Create business plans that strengthen operations
oversight, cash flow, budgeting, corporate structure, systems & controls, accounting, payroll and labor cost, vendor
selection, pricing, marketing, policy and procedure development, HR, training, and service management.
CEO / Director of Development, Scratch Cookin’. 1994 to 2010. Directed operations for this $17M holding
company operating the six-unit Ruby Tequila’s Mexican Kitchen chain. Marketed and sold limited liability
partnership units. Secured private placement equity capital and early-stage financing to fund expansion. Utilized
sophisticated financial modeling to provide accurate projections and control costs. Directly supervised staff of 18.
Prior: Business Administrator / Project Manager, Reid & Gary Strickland Company.