Nico Ponce
Focused, Determined, Self Starter
Flower Mound, TX 75028
nponce13@gmail.com
+1 214 566 4834
An entrepreneur with concept to execution skills for restaurants and bars that yield revenue growth.
And over 25 years experience in the industry.
Willing to relocate: Anywhere
Authorized to work in the US for any employer
Work Experience
Founder and CEO
Nico’s MX Pizzeria – Dallas, TX
June 2020 to Present
Concept lead
Financing
General Contracting
Recruiting
Sales Forecasting
Budgeting
Procurement
Event Management
Marketing
Technology Systems
Director of Operations
Five Central Plaza – Houston, TX
February 2019 to January 2020
Developed 5 concepts from paper to launch
Managed the Executive chef and boh operations
Managed the Beverage Director and foh operations
Managed the Business Development Manager and all marketing strategies
Responsible for p&l and all financials
Developed and managed the cocktail and wine programs
Developed the training program for the foh staff
Responsible for recruiting, and training staff
Developed company policies and procedures
Managed all vendor contracts
Director of Operations
Veracruz Cafe – Dallas, TX
December 2017 to February 2019
Sales over $3.5 million in sales
Developed leaderships team.
Developed, coached and recruited top talent.
Responsible for P/L objectives
Increased YOY sales by 22%
Drove top line sales by staff training, new item rollouts, neighborhood driven marketing initiatives, and
social media marketing. Rolled out new menu Rolled out new company initiatives
Decreased food costs by 4%
Created company policies and procedures handbook.
Developed BOH standards
General Manager (GM)
Snap Kitchen – Houston, TX
November 2013 to December 2017
Sales over $2.3 million in sales
Managed two downtown locations
Marketing and Business Development
Increased store sales by 6% YOY
Training/ Coaching/ Recruiting
Met annual labor costs at 4.3%
Met surplus metrics of 10% annually
IG Implementation for new menu roll outs
Opened the Shops of Houston Center
Led “Think tank” group in a team of 5 general managers
Rolled out GM IG for Slack.
General Manager
Free Range Concepts – Dallas, TX
October 2012 to October 2013
Opened three concepts; Bowl and Barrel, Sunset Lounge and Mutts Cantina
Implemented Free Range Concepts policies and procedures
AOR Development for managers
Recruiting/ Staffing/ Scheduling
Kitchen management
Forecasting and Projecting
Labor Proforma
Budgeting/ Inventory/ Usage/ Purchasing
Training/ Coaching/ Recruiting
P&L
General Manager
Decanter Restaurant and Wine Lounge – Dallas, TX
January 2011 to November 2012
Responsible role of FOH Beverage Director
Responsible role of Kitchen Manager
Recruiting, staffing and training
Marketing/ Social Media/ Business development
Cost Control
Budgeting
Inventory/ Usage/ Purchasing
FOH Scheduling
P&L
Floor Manager/ Wine Director
Cretias Restaurant and Bar – Dallas, TX
January 2009 to February 2011
FOH Recruiting/ Staffing/ Training
Created 100 plus wine list
Maintained vendor relationships
Created staff wine training program
FOH scheduling
Wine cost analysis ($50,000 monthly sales)
Assisted servers with voids/ comps/ etc.
Solve any FOH guest problems or issues
Beverage cost control
Bar Manager
Fleur De Lys – San Francisco, CA
October 2007 to November 2008
Responsible for meeting liquor costs metrics at 18%
Responsible for maintaining relationships with wine, liquor and beer suppliers
Responsible for cost analysis
Created specialty cocktails
Maintained inventory for wine pairings
Assisted sommelier with stocking and organizing wine room (over 1,500 bottles)
Education
Bachelors of Science in Business Management
The University of Phoenix
Certification in United States Bartenders
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics – Dallas, TX
Skills
•Microsoft Office, Aloha, Micros, Task, Crunchtime, Hot Schedules, Corrigo, Dunbar, ServeSafeManager and Food Certification (10+ years)•Management•Operations•training•Excel•Inventory Control•Profit & Loss•Labor Cost Analysis
•Culinary Experience•Purchasing
Assessments
Management & Leadership Skills: Impact & Influence — Expert
October 2019
Adapting leadership style to accomplish goals using rational or emotional appeal.
Full results: Expert
Supervisory Skills: Interpersonal Skills — Proficient
October 2019
Maintaining productive team relationships by identifying conflict and settling disputes.
Full results: Proficient
Indeed Assessments provides skills tests that are not indicative of a license or certification, or continued
development in any professional field.
Additional Information
Specialties: All FOH operations, BOH operations, P&L, hiring, training, development, scheduling,
procurement, vendor relations, business development and marketing.
Skills
• Microsoft Office
• Aloha
• Micros
• Hot Schedules
• Task
• CRM
• ADP
• People Matters