Growth trends and new technology make a great combination!

In food service, for the first half of 2018 overall foodservice sales were up 5% over 2017, with full service and QSR leading the pack. Commercial food service has averaged 5.7% growth annually for the past 4 years, and is still forecast for 3.1% growth in 2018. Plant based menus were up 8% in 2017 and online delivery is increasing at double digit rates. 

In lodging, for 2018 new construction is up 17%. Occupancy, ADR and RevPAR are all increasing at virtually the same rates in 2018 they did in 2017 — and in Q2, Canada saw its highest hotel occupancy since 1999. 

New technology is benefiting both sectors as Skip the Dishes continues to broaden the geographic areas individual restaurants can serve, and other new channels for customer interaction continue to develop. In the US, 39% of millennials have used a mobile device to order food delivery or takeout, 39% have used their own phone to order food & beverage, 29% to pay for food or drink, and 20% to check into a hotel. 

Growth trends and new technology are great to have, but taking advantage them requires the right people. 

That's where we can help! To give you some ideas of what we can deliver, we've showcased below a few examples of candidates we've worked with and roles we've worked on in today's exciting hospitality world. 

 

FEATURES CANDIDATE PROFILES

Director of Sales and Marketing — Hotel/Resort  |  Calgary

Executive Chef  |  Toronto

Hotel General Manager — Luxury  |  Toronto (open to relocation)

Restaurant Manager  |  Vancouver (open to relocation)

These are just a few of the high perfomring Hospitality professionals we've worked with: 

Director of Sales and Marketing — Hotel/Resort  |  Calgary

This proven DSM is a strategic seller, with an eye for negotiating true win-win contracts. Few industry professionals know the western mountain region and resort market quite like they do, in both luxury and mid-tier ranges. This results oriented leader has coached their team of five sales and revenue management professionals to achieve 40% revenue growth over the past 4 years. Achieving this unprecedented growth involved implementing rate strategies that maximized revenue, personally securing new accounts, and insisting on personalized attention for all clients — especially when touring the property to make buying decisions or conduct detailed negotiations. With a focus on digital, they've grown engagement on all social media channels and united marketing, sales, public relations, and revenue management strategies to exceed targets. If you need a leader to energetically and passionately represent Rocky Mountain destinations, teaming with other properties and destination marketing organizations to bring the world to the mountains, this candidate is a sure bet!

Executive Chef  |  Toronto

This highly accomplished Chef may be new to Toronto's food scene, but they're no stranger to the kitchen! Prior to becoming Executive Chef at an award-winning French bistro, this broad-based culinary professional headed kitchens in New Zealand, the Caribbean, Mexico and Vancouver. Other roles included one as the opening Chef for an elite resort destination on the East Coast, helping it earn top spots in enRoute's Best New Restaurants, Canada's 100 Best Restaurants, and The World's 50 Best lists. As a relentless locavore, they focus on buying produce from neighbouring market gardens and meat from local organic farms. Their focus on quality means everything is made from scratch, so even condiments are house made: vinegars, mustards, ketchups and more. And as an incredible mentor and leader, they have attracted cooks from all over the world as interns. Imagine your culinary operation led by a brilliant interpreter of food and flavor who is also a very decent person, and without question one of the premier chefs in the country today. We'd be happy to arrange an introduction!

Hotel General Manager — Luxury  |  Toronto (open to relocation)

What sets this candidate apart is their innate sense of hospitality, combined with an ability to build immediate, personalized connections. This multi-lingual, dynamic and results-oriented professional has a successful track record spanning over 20 years in hotel management. With exposure to all functional areas of hotel operations and experience across 2 continents, this seasoned candidate has a strong commitment to the guest experience. With experience in F&B and operations, they were handpicked and transferred from a property in Asia to join the opening team of a prestigious luxury hotel in Toronto. They have worked as both an AGM and Residence Manager overseeing the 210 room exclusive section of the property, focusing on ultra-luxury and elite guests. True to their nature, when starting they immediately looked for opportunities to have a positive impact on staff morale, the guest service experience and overall hotel ratings both on-line and in line with this brand's elevated international standings. This senior level operator has the education, training and skills required to meet all corporate financial objectives through revenue generation and P&L management, and is open to opportunities across Canada. Imagine the impact they could have on the performance of your property!

Restaurant Manager  |  Vancouver (open to relocation)

With 10 years of food & beverage experience and only two employers, this highly stable candidate is a rarity in the competitive British Columbia market. Fiercely loyal and not one to change jobs on a whim, this General Manager of a $5 million high profile upscale casual dining operation in Vancouver is now ready for a new challenge. This unique operator is a life-long learner, always looking to increase their skill level through education. Combining a solid handle on finance with completion of the International Sommeliers Guild Level One program, they are a knowledgeable and credible leader. As a self-described agent of change, this accomplished industry professional stays right on top of culinary advancements, industry trends and innovations, and likes to be involved in the development of new concepts and brand. If your organization is forward thinking, people focused, and values personalized guest service, we have the Restaurant Manager for you!

 

FEATURED SEARCH PROFILES

Multi-Unit Operations Director — Restaurant  |  Toronto

Culinary Director — Restaurant  |  Ottawa

Vice President Food & Beverage — Casino  |  Vancouver

Director of Sales & Marketing — Resort  |  Rocky Mountains

These are just a few of the searches we've worked on for top performing Hospitality organizations like yours:

Successfully filled!

Multi-Unit Operations Director — Restaurant  |  Toronto

Our client, an established and well-known Canadian brand, is in growth mode. With over 30 locations including both franchise and corporate units, they needed a top performing, multi-unit restaurant professional to help drive and guide that growth. We found them a rock solid, multi-unit leader with over ten years' experience managing and growing restaurant brands in the GTA, combined with luxury hotel experience overseas. This candidate's skill managing revenue in the $20-25M range is second to none. Combining that with a demonstrated growth mindset and an excellent track record as a leader and mentor made them an ideal choice for the role. This senior operator has already made significant contributions to our client's business — we'd be happy to find someone who could do the same for yours! 

Successfully filled!

Culinary Director — Restaurant  |  Ottawa

Our client is a new player in the health and nutrition focused, quick casual market. They needed a Culinary Director to assist in the design, implementation and roll out of their menu. The key was finding a passionate culinary professional who understood that every amazing meal starts with great ingredients that have been carefully sourced, and that there can never be compromise on taste or the enjoyment of food. We filled this role with a highly talented Chef who is currently ensuring that making nutritious, crave-worthy, healthy food with fresh local ingredients is the top priority. How would you like to have such a highly talented culinary professional focused on your top priorities?

Successfully filled!

Vice President Food & Beverage — Casino  |  Vancouver

Our client is one of the largest, and most diversified gaming companies in Canada. They operate over 20 locations and pride themselves on providing the best experience possible, offering an exciting choice of gaming, dining, live entertainment, restaurants, buffets and sporting events, as well as upscale venues for weddings, conventions and conferences. They needed a dynamic, highly talented Vice President to oversee their high volume, high end Food & Beverage operation within a brand new property. We filled this role with an outstanding candidate who has a track record for successfully driving brand growth in both the franchise & corporate sectors. With proven responsibility for over $85 million in top line revenue, our candidate is recognized as a leader in brand growth, service delivery and colleague development. Their ability to manage large scale Food & Beverage operations while continuing to grow the brand made them the ideal candidate — and they're delivering outstanding results now. Imagine having those kinds of results delivered for you!

Currently open!

Director of Sales & Marketing — Resort  |  Rocky Mountains

Our client is a legendary resort, with world-class golf and spa experiences, a variety of great dining options and a family-friendly ski area with spectacular views. They offer a vibrant workplace with tremendous growth and mentorship opportunities, and they need a senior Director of Sales & Marketing. This role requires a candidate who can lead a dynamic sales team, coordinate all marketing initiatives, and improve and be accountable for hotel room revenues - all while living in an amazing mountain town. As a key member of the Executive Committee, the Director of Sales & Marketing will be leading a dynamic sales team, and have significant input on all streams of revenue. As a key member of the Executive Committee, they will be a creative, energetic and knowledgeable professional who can collaborate with all departments to improve Occupancy, ADR and RevPar. We're on it!