John Paul Mannella

Hands-on managing owner of a live entertainment venue specializing in stand-up comedy, responsible for all aspects of strategic planning, daily operations, talent booking, financial oversight, and customer experience. Created a thriving space for local and national performers while establishing the venue as a cultural hub for comedy and nightlife.

Key Responsibilities:

• Venue Operations: Directed all aspects of club operations including staffing, scheduling, licensing, maintenance, and compliance with fire, safety, and liquor regulations.
• Talent Management: Booked and coordinated local, regional, and national comedic talent; negotiated contracts, managed travel accommodations, and ensured successful show execution.
• Financial Oversight: Managed all financial functions including budgeting, forecasting, payroll, POS systems, and vendor payments; drove profitability through cost control and revenue optimization.
• Marketing & Promotion: Developed and implemented marketing campaigns including social media, email newsletters, event listings, and press outreach to drive attendance and brand recognition.
• Customer Experience: Cultivated a welcoming and entertaining environment; oversaw customer service policies, trained front-of-house staff, and resolved guest issues promptly and professionally.
• Food & Beverage Management: Oversaw bar and kitchen operations; managed inventory, supplier relationships, and compliance with health codes and liquor laws.
• Event Production: Produced and promoted a range of events including open mics, themed comedy nights, private rentals, and special showcases to diversify revenue streams and attract new audiences.

Entrepreneurial owner and day-to-day operator of a successful independent coffee shop, responsible for all aspects of business development, operations management, customer service, and team leadership. Assumed Ownership, focusing on quality, community engagement, and profitability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Business Operations: Managed daily operations including scheduling, inventory, vendor relations, equipment maintenance, and compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Financial Management: Oversaw budgeting, forecasting, payroll, and financial reporting. Increased profitability through cost control and pricing strategies.
• Staff Leadership: Recruited, trained, and supervised a team of baristas and kitchen staff. Fostered a positive work environment and implemented training programs to maintain service excellence.
• Marketing & Branding: Developed and executed marketing strategies including social media campaigns, local promotions, loyalty programs, and community events to drive customer traffic and brand awareness.
• Customer Service: Maintained high customer satisfaction by delivering consistent, high-quality products and a welcoming atmosphere.
• Product Development: Curated menu offerings, sourced high-quality ingredients, and collaborated with suppliers and local artisans to enhance the café’s offerings.

Dedicated owner/operator of a multi-generational, landmark fish and chip restaurant renowned in the local community for quality, tradition, and customer service. Led the business through evolving industry trends while preserving its historic character and reputation. Successfully managed all aspects of operations until the business was closed in 2023 due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Responsibilities:

• Business Leadership: Oversaw daily restaurant operations, including front and back-of-house management, hiring, scheduling, and customer service.
• Legacy Preservation: Maintained a consistent, high-quality menu rooted in traditional recipes passed down through generations, while modernizing where appropriate.
• Financial Oversight: Managed all financial activities, including budgeting, payroll, vendor negotiations, and tax compliance to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Customer Relations: Built and maintained strong relationships with a loyal customer base spanning generations; prioritized personalized service and community connection.
• Staff Management: Recruited, trained, and led a team of kitchen and service staff, emphasizing hospitality, teamwork, and food safety.
• Inventory & Supply Chain: Managed ordering, inventory control, and relationships with local seafood suppliers to maintain freshness and minimize waste.
• Crisis Response: Adapted quickly to changing health regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic; implemented takeout and delivery options, safety protocols, and modified hours to continue service. Navigated unprecedented challenges during the pandemic with resilience and innovation before closure became unavoidable.

Strategic Corporate Director for a regional Brazilian Steakhouse franchise, providing executive-level leadership and operational oversight for five high-volume restaurant locations across Ontario. Accountable for aligning all restaurants with corporate standards in performance, quality, and profitability while leading cross-functional teams and driving sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Multi-Unit Operations Management: Oversaw all aspects of daily operations for five franchise locations, ensuring consistency in service standards, food quality, staff performance, and guest experience.
• Leadership & Team Development: Managed and mentored a team of General Managers and their staff; implemented training programs, performance evaluations, and leadership development initiatives.
• Financial Oversight: Directed budgeting, P&L accountability, forecasting, and cost-control measures across all locations to ensure financial targets were met or exceeded.
• Brand & Quality Control: Ensured adherence to brand guidelines, food safety regulations, and operational protocols. Conducted regular site visits and audits to maintain high standards.
• Expansion & Strategic Planning: Contributed to long-term growth strategies, including new location development, market analysis, and operational scaling.
• Marketing & Community Engagement: Collaborated with marketing teams to develop regional promotions, loyalty programs, and community engagement initiatives tailored to each location.

Experienced General Manager responsible for the full operational, financial, and strategic oversight of a focused-service hotel with an emphasis on guest satisfaction, staff leadership, and profitability. Directed all departments including front office, housekeeping, food & beverage, maintenance, and sales, while ensuring compliance with brand standards and corporate objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational Leadership: Managed daily hotel operations across all departments, ensuring high-quality service delivery and operational excellence.
• Team Management: Recruited, trained, and led a team of department heads and staff; fostered a culture of accountability, service, and continuous improvement.
• Financial Oversight: Developed and managed annual budgets, monitored P&L performance, and implemented cost control measures to optimize profitability.
• Guest Experience: Achieved high guest satisfaction scores through hands-on leadership, staff training, and implementation of service improvement initiatives.
• Sales & Marketing: Collaborated with the sales and revenue management teams to develop pricing strategies, group business, and local marketing initiatives.
• Compliance & Safety: Ensured compliance with health, safety, labor, and licensing regulations, as well as corporate and brand standards.

Reason for Departure:

Hotel was sold to an Asian investment company, which contracted Crescent Hotels & Resorts as the new management company. Remained on-site for 45 days post-sale to ensure a seamless leadership transition, support onboarding of new management team, and maintain operational continuity.

Member of the hotel's Executive Director Team overseeing Front Office Operations at a high-volume, full-service Hilton property with 1,065 rooms over three towers, and four food & beverage outlets, located directly across from Fallsview Casino Resort. Accountable for delivering exceptional guest experiences in a high-traffic, fast-paced environment while managing large, multi-functional service teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Department Oversight: Directed and coordinated daily operations for Front Desk, Bell Services, Concierge, Doorman, Valet, Housekeeping, and Switchboard departments.
• Guest Experience: Championed Hilton’s service standards to ensure an elevated and seamless guest journey from arrival to departure; resolved escalated guest issues with diplomacy and efficiency.
• Operational Excellence: Maintained operational flow and service delivery during peak periods including weekends, holidays, and high casino traffic events; implemented performance metrics to monitor efficiency and guest satisfaction.
• Staff Development: Recruited, trained, and mentored supervisors and frontline staff across all reporting departments, focusing on engagement, service consistency, and retention in a 24/7 operation.
• Budget & Resource Management: Partnered with Executive Team to manage department budgets, control labor and operational costs, and optimize productivity while upholding brand and service standards.
• Interdepartmental Coordination: Worked closely with F&B, Engineering, Sales, and Security teams to ensure seamless operations across all guest touchpoints.
• Technology & Reporting: Oversaw PMS (Property Management System) operations and reporting, including room availability, group blocks, guest preferences, and incident resolution tracking.

Strategic and analytical Revenue Manager responsible for maximizing hotel profitability through data-driven pricing, inventory management, and distribution strategies. Collaborated with sales, marketing, and operations teams to optimize revenue performance across all market segments for a hotel group that had seven hotels and multiple hotel brands within their portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

• Revenue Strategy Development: Created and executed dynamic pricing strategies based on market trends, demand forecasts, and competitive analysis to maximize RevPAR and GOP.
• Demand Forecasting: Produced accurate daily, weekly, and monthly forecasts using historical data, booking trends, market intelligence, and special event calendars.
• Inventory Management: Monitored and adjusted inventory across all distribution channels (brand.com, OTA, GDS, direct) to ensure optimal availability and rate parity.
• Competitive Analysis: Conducted regular competitive set analyses using STR reports, rate shopping tools, and market data to inform pricing and positioning decisions.
• Collaboration: Partnered with sales and marketing teams to align group and transient pricing strategies; provided input on promotional campaigns, corporate rates, and RFP processes.
• Reporting & Systems Management: Maintained and optimized use of Revenue Management Systems (RMS), Property Management Systems (PMS), and Channel Managers. Delivered daily/weekly/monthly performance reports to executive leadership.
• Performance Monitoring: Tracked and analyzed key performance indicators including ADR, RevPAR, Occupancy, and channel mix to identify opportunities for revenue growth.