Shawn Joyce
Shawn has over 30 years of leadership experience in the restaurant industry. Throughout his career in hospitality, Shawn advanced from store-level positions through multi-unit management responsibilities. In his early twenties, he was a store-level General Manager and then became a Regional Manager overseeing multiple units throughout New England. He later spent seven years as Chief Financial Officer and then six years as President and Chief Executive Officer of one of New England’s largest privately-held restaurant chains.
As President and CEO, he was responsible for the selection, development and leadership of the executive management team, shaping the company’s culture, values and philosophies as well as the development and execution of the strategic plan • Direct reports included Director of Finance/Controller, Director Operations, Director of New Store Openings, Director of Marketing, Director of Human Resources, Director of Safety/Loss Control and Director of Construction • Reduced average annual management turnover to less than 15% when the industry average was 33%, through hiring the right people, commitment to leadership development and compensating folks for performance tied to sales growth and cash flow • Led the restructuring of company ownership and created holding companies for the restaurants and real estate, allowing consolidated, simplified reporting while being more cost effective and shielding liability • Profitably grew the company through cash flow with minimal debt. • Led investment banking process, successfully soliciting bids reaching 7.1 times EBITDA.
As CFO, he stabilized the company that was on the brink of insolvency • Recruited and led administrative and accounting team responsible for management information systems, human resources, financial and tax reporting • Direct reports included Controller and Human Resources Manager; worked closely with Regional Managers and General Managers and often filled President and Vice President of Operations roles • Oversaw leadership development, management review process which included 360 feedback, personal development plans and annual leadership development that was progressive for the industry • Developed and oversaw operating budgets, capital budgets and operating metrics as well as controllable cost budgets that were tied to management bonus program • Developed and managed banking relationships, legal counsel, and CPA with capital, legal, license, and taxation matters • Consolidated banking and cash management and secured real estate financing and revolving credit lines • Led all real estate, site selection, lease/buy negotiations, and 1031 exchanges and closings, bringing company-wide occupancy costs inclusive of NNN below 6% of sales • Designed and implemented 401(K) for management.
As a Regional Manager, he was directly responsible for multiple full-service restaurants throughout New England, operations, P&L, budgeting, food and beverage, facility management, administrative, human resources, marketing and promotions • Led the opening of three new locations while supporting five other restaurants • Responsible for recruitment and development of location management as well oversight of human resource policy and issues across locations • Oversaw entire facilities, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, renovation/construction, repairs and maintenance as well as the purchasing and inventories of food, liquor and supplies • Requested bids and awarded contracts for equipment and services • Designed and implemented weekly, monthly and annual financial reports, including chart of accounts, financial statements, operating budgets and forecasts • He was also a store-level General Manager for many years before becoming a RM.
Education:
- MBA, University of New Hampshire, Whittemore School of Business and Economics
Durham, New Hampshire, 1998 - BS, Business Administration/Marketing, Cum Laude, Plymouth State College
Plymouth, New Hampshire, 1989
Volunteer Experience:
- Northeast Passage and Little Harbour Charitable Foundation
Boat Captain and Crew, Disabled Veterans Day on the Water (Fishing) 2017 - Present - Atlantic States Marine Fisheries
Herring Advisory Panel 2014 – Present - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel 2013 – 2017 - Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Seacoast
Board of Directors 2008 – 2011, Big Brother 2004 – 2008, Mentors for Kids Sake Honor 2006 - New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association
Board of Directors 2002 – 2004, Restaurateur of the Year 2004, Chairman Educational Task Force 2002