Aaron Byrne is a passionate, creative, and results-driven beverage manager with over 15 years of experience growing and innovating beverage programs for Yard House Restaurants. He helped expand Yard House from 3 locations to over 60 while leading the development of trendsetting cocktails, managing a national beverage team, and supporting 23 new restaurant openings. Byrne is known for his people skills, problem-solving abilities, and talent for training others.

1. AARON BYRNE
39539 Hawthorne St.
Palmdale, CA 93551
Phone: (949) 285-9798 E-Mail: ajbyrne16@gmail.com
Summary:
 Passionate, creative, results-driven manager with extensive industry-leading restaurant and beverage
experience.
 Participated in the development and implementation of trend setting products and processes that have
become today’s standard for top performing brands. Focus on revenue growth through customer
satisfaction and product differentiation.
 A key player on the team that grew the Yard House franchise from three locations to sixty.
 Known for outstanding people skills both within the organization and with a vast network of outside
vendors and suppliers. Looked to as a creative mediator and problem solver.
 In high demand as a trainer with the ability to make complex issues understandable, and to help the team
to see change and innovation as an opportunity for growth instead of a potential threat.
Highlights Include:
First Level Cicerone,FirstLevel Wine Sommelier, Extensive Beer & Spirits Knowledge, Innovative Cocktail Creation &
Design, Extensive Knowledge of Bar Operations, Bar Construction/Design & Set Up, Coaching and Developing,
Leading and Motivating, Project Management, Process Improvement, New Restaurant Opens, Creating & Executing
Training Programs
Professional Experience
Yard House Restaurants (a Darden Brand) Irvine, CA April 2001- December 2015
Beverage Manager
 Strategic participantand manager in the design,implementation and ongoing supportofthe best-in-class
beverage program for Yard House Restaurants during its growth from the three locations to sixty plus.
 Responsible for all cocktail creation, innovation,alcohol purchasing and inventorymanagement with emphasis on
financial responsibilities for costcontrol, and profit margins.
o Lead the initiative to reinvent the entire beverage menu with the goal of increasing sales,reducing costs
and improving quality. Exceeded both sales and savings goals while continuing to reinforce the Yard
House brand as a true industry leader.
o Revitalized 18 existing cocktails.Created and implemented 5 new additions thataveraged between 200
to 500 cocktails sold companywide per week, per offering.
o Produced over 15 new cocktails per year for Limited Time Offering runs from ideation to live execution
that resulted in upward of 1,600 to 2,600 cocktails sold per 3 to 5 day run companywide.
 Worked in tandem with Marketing and Executive leadership to form regionalized offerings in effort to maximize
Guestsatisfaction in varied markets.
o Conducted primaryresearch and analyzed sales data for each new location to provide the bestmenu
design and content for the unique customer type being served.
 Developed and directly managed a national team that assisted in the development and execution of company
wide beverage operations.
 Managed bar design,construction and innovation.
 Key player in the decision-making and placementfor an average of 130 draft beers per location.
 Maintain and foster healthy business relationships with beverage suppliers and distributors .
 Developed beverage training programs and materials for the managers-in-training,existing team members and
new restaurantopenings.
 Created and implemented beverage service standards,policies and bestpractices with a strong focus on safety
and sanitation.
 Acted as principal corporate liaison with restaurantmanagers relating to all things beverage.
 Served as coordinator between marketing, corporate IT, supplychain, training departmentand operations for new
beverage menu rollouts and limited time offerings.
New Restaurant Opens
 Supported 23 Yard House new restaurantopens with an emphasis on initial bar setup, beverage quality,
beverage training
 Trained managers and team members on all things related to the beverage program
 Supervised and sourced travel trainer teams to supportNRO’s
 Provided overall support to operations

2. Education
Diablo Valley College – Pleasant Hill, CA
General Education
Saddleback Valley College – Mission Viejo, CA
General Education
Additional Experience and Skills
First Level Cicerone – First Level Wine Sommelier - Restaurant Systems - Microsoft Office – Aloha – DASH