Younes Benoud

Accomplished and results-driven Multi-Site Café Operations Executive with over 22 years of international experience leading the setup, launch, and scaling of high-volume franchise networks and coffee specialty concepts across the GCC and North Africa. Hands-on leader with strong operational and people management capabilities, possessing a proven track record managing multi-million-dollar regional P&L structures, executing complex commercial lease negotiations, and driving territory expansion. Expert in corporate stakeholder management, brand compliance auditing, and digital innovation initiatives to ensure long-term business success.

Area & District Manager — F&B & Multi-Unit Operations at Doner's Lounge Restaurant Group (2022-12 – Present)

• Directed daily hospitality operations, manpower planning, and cost controls across 3 high-volume strategic locations, successfully launching 2 new venues from pre-opening to full operational capacity.
• Structured and enforced multi-outlet operational SOPs, boosting brand compliance ratings to a consistent 98.5% and quality baseline scores by 14%.
• Led end-to-end site preparation, vendor procurement, equipment sourcing, and cross-functional team onboarding across major zones.
• Optimized inventory control, kitchen portioning, and supply chain logistics, reducing operational COGS by 3.2% and achieving 115% of target commercial KPIs.
• Drove digital innovation and revenue growth by integrating third-party delivery platforms and loyalty programs, expanding local brand capture rates.
• Spearheaded talent acquisition, staffing schedules, and team briefings, building high-performance hospitality teams aligned with corporate service standards.
• Implemented real-time waste tracking and FIFO protocols, resulting in a 12% reduction in operational waste.

Country Manager Assistant & Operations Manager — Multi-District Café & Franchise Operations at Gloria Jean's Coffees (16-Unit Franchise Network) (2016-06 – 2022-12)

• Directed daily franchise operations and business strategies across a 16-outlet café footprint spanning 6 cities in Oman, owning P&L performance and driving sustained network revenue growth.
• Spearheaded territory expansion strategy, securing 4 strategic café site developments while negotiating complex commercial leases that cut rental overhead by 12%.
• Architected the national food safety governance framework, leading 192+ brand compliance audits with a perfect 100% pass rate for national inspections.
• Built, scheduled, and coached a high-performance workforce of 100+ hospitality professionals across 6 cities, deploying structured people management capabilities that dropped staff turnover by 22%.
• Drove district sales performance through country-wide localized marketing campaigns and seasonal pricing strategies, expanding ticket sizes and foot traffic.
• Commanded multi-site inventory tracking and COGS optimization workflows across 16 outlets, deploying centralized procurement and stock management systems to protect facility operating margins.
• Instituted strict barista coaching standards and specialty coffee beverage programs, ensuring consistent quality and brand recipe compliance.

Operations Manager — F&B & Multi-Outlet Property at Hotel Atlantic Panorama (2013-03 – 2016-08)

• Managed full F&B operations across Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine concepts encompassing multiple dining outlets, driving room-service capture rates up by 16% and banquet revenue by 13%.
• Partnered with culinary directors on menu engineering, recipe costing, and kitchen portion management, reducing food waste expenses by 8.5%.
• Enforced HACCP food safety architecture and quality assurance protocols, delivering a 100% compliance rating for all corporate inspections.
• Implemented FIFO stock rotation and daily inventory auditing, reducing perishable waste by 9% and optimizing kitchen cost ratios.

Operations and Property Manager at Delmon International Hotel (2007-01 – 2013-01)

• Directed multi-venue hotel operations across 4 premium hospitality outlets, maximizing facility efficiency, brand standard compliance, and cross-departmental synergy.
• Drove area revenue performance by optimizing restaurant and banqueting KPIs, boosting average daily guest covers by 9% and generating a 7.5% year-over-year increase in average check sizes.
• Owned comprehensive annual Capex and operating budgets, reducing operational payroll expenditures by 4.8% through predictive scheduling models.
• Managed room service and in-room dining operations, optimizing delivery workflows and achieving a 94% guest satisfaction rate for in-room F&B services.
• Built, coached, and developed a diverse hospitality workforce of 70+ personnel, implementing structured training programs that improved service delivery scores by 18%.
• Ensured full compliance with Saudi Arabian regulatory standards and cultural hospitality protocols, maintaining ADR optimization and RevPAR growth within target thresholds.

Assistant Food & Beverage Manager at La Mamounia Marrakech (5-Star Luxury Property) (2004-03 – 2006-12)

• Coordinated elite fine dining venues, luxury lounges, and VVIP catering operations across Moroccan, French, Italian, Greek, Arabic, and Asian culinary concepts, maintaining a 96% GSI score.
• Enforced Forbes Travel Guide and ultra-luxury service standards across all outlets during high-profile political and royal delegations.
• Collaborated with Michelin-trained culinary teams to curate premium tasting menus for royal delegations and high-profile international guests.
• Managed premium bar and beverage programs including curated wine lists, signature cocktails, and VIP cellar selections.
• Coached and developed a dedicated service team of 40+ staff, introducing luxury communication modules that increased repeat VIP guest visits by 11%.
• Audited daily POS entries and inventory costs via MICROS systems to control food costs and protect high-margin beverage profits.

MSc in Hospitality Management – Université Internationale de Rabat

BSc in International Hotel Management – Vatel Business School