Walter Aniban

Seasoned Restaurant Manager with 30+ years of leadership in resort and full-service dining, combining operational rigor with guest-focused service. Proven record of driving revenue and margins—achieving 18% average annual sales growth and 12% operating cost reduction—through menu engineering, targeted promotions, inventory controls, vendor negotiations, and P&L oversight. Skilled at building and developing high-performing teams (60+ staff) via training, cross-training, and mentorship, and leveraging beverage expertise as a former sommelier to enhance guest experience and upsell revenue.

Restaurant Manager at Flour and Barley (2025-01 – Present)

• Manage daily operations of Flour and Barley's Las Vegas location, ensuring consistent food quality, service standards, and exceptional guest experiences.
• Lead recruiting, onboarding, training, and scheduling for FOH and BOH teams; introduced cross-training and mentorship programs to improve coverage and reduce turnover.
• Drive revenue growth through menu engineering, upselling strategies, and targeted local partnerships and promotions.
• Implement inventory controls, portioning standards, and vendor-negotiation practices to reduce food costs and minimize waste.
• Maintain P&L oversight, labor forecasting, and compliance with health and safety regulations while improving guest satisfaction and repeat business.

General Manager at FORC Restaurant (2021-06 – 2025-01)

• Managed all restaurant operations for a full-service establishment, responsible for 60+ staff across FOH and BOH, including recruiting, training, and scheduling.
• Achieved average annual sales growth of 18% by developing catering services, forging local partnerships, and executing targeted marketing campaigns.
• Reduced operating expenses by 12% through vendor renegotiations, waste-reduction initiatives, and process optimization.
• Implemented POS and inventory systems to improve ordering accuracy and forecasting, reducing stockouts and waste.
• Oversaw budgeting, P&L management, events and catering operations, and ensured regulatory compliance and high guest experience standards.

Specialty Restaurant Manager at Hilton Waikoloa Village (2018-06 – 2021-06)

• Managed specialty dining operations within a high-volume resort environment, coordinating FOH and BOH teams to deliver elevated guest experiences.
• Recruited, trained, and developed service staff, establishing standard operating procedures and training programs to raise service consistency.
• Partnered with culinary leadership to refine menus, introduce seasonal offerings, and support banquets and private events.
• Implemented inventory and cost-control measures to reduce waste and improve margin performance.
• Ensured adherence to brand standards, safety regulations, and guest satisfaction initiatives.

Restaurant Manager at Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows (2013-08 – 2018-05)

• Managed all aspects of a resort restaurant, overseeing daily operations, staffing, and guest service for a high-volume property.
• Led recruitment, training, and performance development to build a high-performing FOH and BOH team and improve service consistency.
• Introduced inventory controls, portioning standards, and vendor relationships to optimize costs and reduce waste.
• Coordinated large-scale events and banquets, managing logistics, staffing, and profitability.
• Monitored P&L, scheduling, and regulatory compliance to support operational efficiency and enhance guest satisfaction.

Sommelier at Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows (1989-02 – 2013-08)

• Designed and managed the hotel's wine program across outlets, curating wine lists to complement menus and guest preferences.
• Negotiated supplier agreements and managed cellar inventory, ensuring proper storage, rotation, and cost control.
• Trained service staff in wine knowledge, pairings, and upselling techniques to enhance beverage revenue and guest experience.
• Organized and hosted wine dinners, tastings, and vendor events to drive beverage sales and brand recognition.
• Maintained records, managed vendor relationships, and ensured compliance with licensing and safety regulations.

Psychology – UH-Hilo (1984-08 – 1989-08)