Michael Cox3629 Rolling Meadows, Bedford, TX. 76021 michaelcox.fw@gmail.com | www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcoxfw214-213-0453

Career Summary Both successful entrepreneur and proven corporate leader, launched new businesses and led many fast growing,

nationally recognized brands including Mi Cocina, Central Market, Carlson’s Restaurants Worldwide and Morton’s of Chicago.

Self-taught and a natural leader, started as a dishwasher learning from industry experience to become a successful, top leader today. Possesses a balance of both right and left-brain capabilities allowing creativity while understanding the true economic impact of that innovation.

Extensive level of expertise and diverse cultural experiences in large and small upscale restaurant, specialty food retail, and luxury hospitality businesses with wide-ranging corporate philosophies and practices.

Profile of Qualifications Actively participates and thrives in daily restaurant operations engaging with team members and guests. Positive and

enthusiastic interpersonal skills attract and inspire others leading their efforts from concept to action to results. • Operating in a sincere and genuine manner, especially effective in high stress problem solving situations by mediating

relations up and down the organization. Quickly builds relationships of trust and accountability focusing the entire team on mutual respect for all parties and facilitating equally beneficial results.

• High integrity, instinctive strategist clearly communicating expectations, implementing strong systems and strict follow through to ensure financial and operational success.

Professional ExperienceGrateful Dining LLC. Bedford TX 75039 | 214.213.0453Advisor | Mentor | Guide January 2014-Present Professional restaurant, hospitality and specialty food retail consultant specializing in guiding startup ventures,

restaurant turnarounds, executive recruitment, and custom projects of all types. Clients include CBRE Real Estate Advisors and Firebird Restaurant Group.

Developed OSO Food & Wine Mediterranean Bistro-Dallas, Texas.

MCrowd Restaurant Group Irving TX 75039 | 214.217.3000Chief Executive Officer December 2010-January 2014 • Successfully led privately owned restaurant company operating 29 locations of three concepts, 22 Mi Cocina

authentic Tex-Mex, 6 Taco Diner Taquerias and The Mercury fine dining. Managed a new era of growth nationally and the long-term financial viability of the organization. Retired $3 million of inherited debt in first 18 months in the position; grew annual revenues from $68 million to $90 million earning a 15.7% Net Income and 17.7% EBITDA.

Directed national expansion opening 7 Mi Cocinas expanding into Tulsa, Houston, Atlanta and Washington DC. All new stores funded from cash flow. Reduced construction cost by 200% improving development timeline and quality of facilities. Simplified home office structure to improve the stability of the company and support for the restaurants.

Resurrected company’s negative public image and enriched employee relations by leading with a high level of integrity and transparency. Restored the trust of the staff inspiring them to work together as a family in a “Culture of Respect”.

Marcus Hotels and Resorts Milwaukee, WI 53202 | 414.905.1200Corporate Director of Restaurants April 2010 – December 2010 • Consulted Food & Beverage operations for boutique hotel joint venture with Harley Davidson.• Accomplished improved sales and guest experience in hotel restaurants with new menu, service training and

entertainment. • Achieved revitalized employee culture from negative union influence through a higher sense of fairness, teamwork

and respect.

RG2/Culinaire International Dallas, TX 75201 | 214.754.1883VP of Restaurant Operations January 2008 – July 2009 • Succeeded in opening two concepts COAST-Global Seafood and Legacy Books Café. • Produced improved financial and operational performance of existing Italian concept Nicola’s Restaurante Italiano

preparing the concept for national expansion.

HEB Central Market Dallas, TX 75220 | 214.252.5900General Manager January 2001 – January 2008• Hired as HEB Central Market’s first, non-grocery veteran General Manager, successfully transitioned from restaurant

to specialty grocery industry launching 4 locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth market.

• Responsible for daily operations of nationally recognized specialty grocery concept with annual unit sales of $62 million. Maximized profitability of concept to double industry standard from 3% to 7%.

• Led Culinary Innovation Team creating new products and services for the company. Steered creative projects for internal and external marketing and promotions.

Carlson’s Restaurants World Wide Carrollton, TX, 75007 | 972.662.5400V.P. of Operations-Emerging Brands Division March 1998 – Oct 2000 Directed and expanded operations of the upscale Emerging Brands Division-Star Canyon, Aquaknox, Fish Bowl and

Taqueria Canonita, all highly successful and nationally acclaimed restaurants with Celebrity Chef Stephan Pyles. Responsible for concept development, branding, site selection, lease negotiations, construction project management and new store openings. Responsible for achieving the financial and profitability fiscal plan.

Star Canyon and Aquaknox | Dallas Texas Co-Founder and Managing Partner October 1993-March 1998 Earned national recognition and financial success developing these two highly successful and nationally acclaimed

restaurants with Celebrity Chef Stephan Pyles. Managed design, construction and pre-opening operations. Achieved financial and profitability fiscal plan and all daily operations including service, financial, legal and human resources responsibilities. Sold company to Carlson’s Restaurants World Wide in 1998.

Prior Morton’s of Chicago-Director of Operations Rosewood Hotels; Hotel Crescent Court-Director of Restaurants Routh Street Café-General Manager

Education Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Mo.Business Administration

Community InvolvementNorth Texas Food Bank-Former Executive Board MemberState Fair of Texas-Annual Cooking Competition Judge