Director of operations Ray Gantus

1. RAY J. GANTUS
Encinitas, CA 92024
http://raygantus.workfolio.com/
raygantus@yahoo.com 702.755.1400 LinkedIn
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
Improve cash flows and profit margins by establishing and implementing
operational standards and best practices for service | Focus on people
development
Disciplined, competitive and loyal professional with proven success leading region over 104
restaurants and 11 DMs. Respected by executives, COO and CEO for delivering consistent results,
developing and protecting brand through best-in-class service and re-culturing to be synonymous
with hospitality.
Think clearly and approach problems judiciously in very fast-moving environments. Track record for
building high performance teams by motivating through passion and relentless commitment to
success. Willing to travel up to 70%. Fluent in English, Hebrew and Arabic.
Areas of expertise:
Budgeting | Sales Planning | Monthly Business Reviews | Recruiting
Training | Employee Engagement | Site Selection | Event Promotion
Guest Satisfaction Programs | Operational Best Practices | Marketing
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
EINSTEIN NOAH RESTAURANT GROUP / CARIBOU COFFEE, Denver, CO 2015 –
2016
Director, New Store Openings
Guided and directed store openings’ process for all channels of growth, including opening, franchise,
license and company-owned in all domestic and international. Led team of 15 store opening
specialist trainers to meet opening timelines and task lists. Managed store turnover from
construction. Mobilized cross-functional team to deliver required scope of work at closing time.

2. • Led preopen kick-off meetings and weekly calls, ensuring timely progression of project.
• Executed successful openings by collaborating with HR, Training, IT, facilities, Design, Steering
Committee and operations to provide processes and procedures.
EINSTEIN NOAH GROUP, Denver, CO 2004 – 2015
Director, Operations, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Restaurants 2010 – 2015
District Manager 2006 – 2010
General Manager 2004 – 2006
Managed $95M P&L and led team of nearly 1900 employees and 100 managers. Oversaw 103
restaurants in East region, traveling weekly to each market to identify areas of improvement and
mentor 11 area business managers (DMs). Recruited top talent from major competitors.
• Participated in Ring of Honor every year, an event reserved to top 10% performers.
• Overhauled Speed of Service (SOS) process and coached on recruitment, guest engagement,
training, systems and processes, resulting in stores capturing +2 – 5% in weekly transactions,
improving top and bottom line, cutting wait time from 15 to 6 minutes and driving Overall
Satisfaction (OSAT) 10%.

3. RAY J. GANTUS raygantus@yahoo.com PAGE TWO
EINSTEIN NOAH GROUP (Continued)
• Created methodology for waste that was subsequently rolled out corporate-wide, lowering bagel
waste from 150 per store per day to 95 while improving section availability.
• Exceeded target results consistently in Sales, Labor, Cost-of-Goods, Profit and Guest
Satisfaction. Beat sales to plan 3.2%, labor 1%, food cost .7%, guest satisfaction 20% and cash
flow 3%.
• Led project assigned by COO, improving store level P&L and accurate reporting.
• Restructured catering operational initiatives, resulting in 47% increase in catering sales and
system that was adopted company-wide.
• Recipient of ENRGI Award for 2014. Top honor for top performer awarder by the CEO.
• Ranked number 1 DO in 2014 and Q1 2015 based on sales, profits and hospitality.
• Increased internal promotions and achieved historical level for retention by creating people
development program (30 60 90) and setting up new employee appraisal rating system.
• Coached and mentored employee from 30-day action plan, resulting in employee becoming
reliable leader and Area Business Manager.
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
SUNCOAST AND COMPANY, Ruston, LA
Owner / Operator
EDUCATION
− Bachelor of Science (BS), Aviation, minor in business, Louisiana Tech, Ruston, LA
− Flight Instructor License, Commercial Pilot License, and Multi-engine Pilot License, School of
Aviation, Ruston, LA
− Diploma, General Studies, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA

4. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
− Attended numerous seminars on industry initiatives, including budgeting, human resources,
guest experience, technical controls and executive managements
− Held clinics, teaching food cost best practices, culture and guest experience and trained and
transitioned executives