About RZ

DELIVERING SUCCESS WITH PRIDE & CARE.


We're on a mission to reduce the turnover rate in the restaurant & hospitality industry by half!

Restaurant Zone offers top-notch service, consistency, and expertise in the restaurant & hospitality sector. Whether it's recruiting talent or securing that thrilling new job, there's a path ahead – and we're going to address it together!

Who We Are

RestaurantZone delivers success, with pride & care.

Whether you're an employer in the industry seeking exceptional talent or a job-seeker looking to kickstart a rewarding career, Restaurant-Zone has been dedicated to delivering success with care for over 12 years. We take pride in our work and are committed to achieving excellence for our clients.

To offer the best possible service to our valued customers - employers and job-seekers alike. For employers, we aim to deliver outstanding hires, ease hiring challenges, address hiring issues, offer hiring solutions, and provide exceptional, personalized service. For job-seekers, our goal is to assist them in securing fulfilling careers, handling their career paths with care, presenting great options and opportunities, and offering exceptional, personalized service.

We bear a significant responsibility to our customers. We are dedicated to excellence, exceptional service, and surpassing the value provided by our competitors. Our top priority is centered on our customers and delivering a top-notch end-customer experience.

Restaurant-Zone is committed to delivering top-notch service, consistency, and expertise in the restaurant and hospitality sector. Our objective is to offer our customers top-tier, tailored hiring solutions. Our expertise spans across restaurants, retail, food service, hotels, and the hospitality industry in the US and Canada. We provide hires that align with your company culture, contribute to it, and drive tangible results, such as increased sales, profits, and growth.

 

Our Vision

Our vision is to be an outstanding, innovative recruiting firm that offers exceptional solutions and service to our clients and a fantastic work environment, while also being financially rewarding for our team. We aim to continuously grow and become the leading and most reputable hiring firm in the restaurant, hospitality, and hotel industry.

Our Values

Our Values At The Zone Companies, we highly value the following 5 core principles in our team members.

  1. Everyone an Entrepreneur
  2. Always in Integrity
  3. Stoically Structured 
  4. No Dancing Around Diligence 
  5. Teamwork to Make Dreams Work

Everyone an Entrepreneur

An entrepreneur is an intrinsically motivated individual who possesses leadership qualities like the ability to persuade and inspire. They are also self-reliant, solutions-oriented, accountable, challenge the status quo, and can rely on their emotional intelligence to remain calm even in stressful situations.

These individuals excel at identifying gaps in business and confidently steering it in the right direction.

Always in Integrity

"Embrace mistakes and learn from them"

At RZ, Integrity serves as the cornerstone of all our actions. We are dedicated to honesty, trust, and transparency. We consistently choose to do the right thing, even when unobserved. Our organization has cultivated a positive and inclusive environment that nurtures open, honest, and meaningful relationships. We promote fairness, and equality, and facilitate courageous conversations.

Upholding integrity, we strive for fair and equitable solutions for RZ, employees, and clients, always prioritizing the best interests of all parties involved; Clients, Candidates, and our RZ team members.

Stoically Structured

Picture yourself constructing a robust framework.

We stand firm to ensure tasks are well-organized, focus on the finer details, strategically plan for success, and possess the ability to adapt our communication skills.

No Dancing Around Diligence

We all know individuals, whether friends, family, or colleagues, who tend to avoid doing the necessary work.

Here at Restaurant Zone, we prioritize quality, consistency, and accountability. We ensure that our tasks are completed promptly and take pride in delivering high-quality, final outcomes.

Teamwork to Make Dreams Work

Every member at RZ collaborates harmoniously. We aim to assist one another in all daily interactions. We have complete faith in our team members and demonstrate our trustworthiness. In the event of any setbacks, we work together to rebuild trust.

Being able to identify each other's blind spots and supporting each other to achieve success is a significant aspect of how our organization progresses together.

This aspect distinguishes us from other work environments. While competitiveness is inherent in the industry, we also prioritize the thriving of our team. OUR success is YOUR success!

Meet The Team

Our recruiters have 50+ years of cumulative experience recruiting executives, corporate office, management, & hourly employees:

Matthew Rodgers, Chief Executive Officer

 
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Ken Benavides, Chief Operations Officer

 

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Whitney Armistead,

Recruitment Manager

Whitney has been with Restaurant Zone since 2021 and has a strong passion for leadership and hospitality. With extensive experience in the industry as a Chef and Director of Operation, she has excelled in recruiting for specific positions and building relationships with clients, which has been crucial to her success in staffing for the companies she has worked with. During her time at Restaurant Zone, Whitney has collaborated with a variety of companies in the hospitality sector, including fast casual, large franchise groups, and independent restaurants, filling roles from crew members to key managers in both the back and front of the house, as well as the executive team.

She pursued her Bachelor’s in Food Service and Hospitality Management as well as her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at Johnson and Wales University. This educational background has provided her with a deep understanding of hiring within the hospitality industry and the leadership requirements of large organizations for their upper management staff. Additionally, she resides in the resort community of Vail, CO, where she has gained valuable insights into the needs of high-end resort organizations and enjoys the recreational opportunities offered by the Rocky Mountains. In her free time, she can be found outdoors, participating in activities such as volleyball, tennis, hiking with her dogs, and paddle boarding on the lake, making the most of the sunshine.

Work with Whitney, email her at: contactus#therestaurantzone.com

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Sherry Brown, Recruitment Manager

Sherry has worked with various accounts such as Solange Ristorante, Copper Door, Gigi’s, Tiki Tiki, Front Porch, Fish Stix, Burger King, McDonald’s, Beard Papa’s, where she has placed Executive Chefs, Sous Chefs, General Managers, and AGMs, among others. With over 25 years of experience in Agency Recruiting and as a Corporate Recruiter at Carl Karcher Enterprises, she has paved the way for a successful career in Hospitality. Her success is attributed to continuous training and education in her field, including Certification in Human Resource Management, SPHR forums, and various LinkedIn Certifications.

Sherry is a driven leader committed to transforming lives and enhancing outcomes. She believes her gift of discernment enables her to connect people with rewarding careers, contributing to individual and company achievements. Her efforts lead to increased sales and profits for both companies and individuals.

Her promotion to Recruitment Manager has allowed her to support others in advancing their careers. The exceptional training programs, created by RSS/RestaurantZone COO, aim to replicate the success of team members. The dedicated team at Rodgers Staffing Solutions/The RestaurantZone is committed to making a positive impact on individuals and clients.

Work with Sherry, email her at: contactus#therestaurantzone.com

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Account Managers

Greggory Skoch 

Account Manager

Gregg graduated from Saint Louis University with a Finance degree from The John Cook School of Business. After graduation, he relocated to Indianapolis to start his career as an External Wholesaler at American Funds, one of the largest mutual fund companies. In 2015, Gregg moved to Jupiter, FL, where he took on a new role leading the Business Development Team at Shoes For Crews.
 
Currently, Gregg lives in Port Saint Lucie, FL, with his wife Jamie and their four children Rylee, McKenna, Tinsley, and Nathan. An enthusiastic golfer and devoted Cleveland Browns fan, Gregg recently joined The Restaurant Zone team as National Account Manager in September 2022, utilizing his connections and relationships from his previous position at Shoes For Crews. He collaborates with Allison in managing the Sales Team.
 
Work with Gregg, email him at: contactus#therestaurantzone.com
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Allison Rice

Account Manager

Allison joined The RestaurantZone team in August 2022 as a National Account Executive. Originally from New Orleans, she now resides on Whidbey Island, just outside the Seattle area. Her upbringing has given her insight into various restaurant concepts nationwide, with her family owning a historic restaurant in the French Quarter, exposing her to all aspects of restaurant operations.
 
She graduated from Louisiana State University in 2015 with a bachelor's in Arts & Sciences, but her passion for the restaurant industry persisted. After college, she managed a fine dining catering and event company in Baton Rouge before transitioning to regional catering sales for a fast-casual concept. When Covid-19 struck in 2020, she pivoted to utilize her hospitality knowledge to support restaurant owners and workers in recovering from the pandemic, a decision she found to be a perfect fit. Allison thoroughly enjoys her new career and is known for her positive and energetic personality.
 
In her leisure time, she explores the mountains and beachside with her family and three dogs.
 
Work with Allison, email her at: contactus#therestaurantzone.com
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Garrett Roper

Account Manager

Garrett believes that everyone should experience working in the service/hospitality industry at some point in their lives. With a background in competitive sports from a young age and starting in the service industry at 15, Garrett learned the importance of teamwork. Whether in sports or restaurant/food service, one must be adaptable, coachable, and a hands-on learner. For any organization, sports team, or restaurant to succeed, everyone must contribute quickly and efficiently, requiring a full roster.
 
Garrett brought his expertise to The Restaurant Zone, where he understands the challenges of staffing shortages and the benefits of having a team of top performers. He is genuine in his approach and is dedicated to helping you find your next star employees. Garrett is passionate about music, cinema, sports, and food. In his free time, he enjoys hitting the golf course with friends, listening to great music, and cooking up a storm. He is also a devoted family man.
 
Work with Garrett, email him at: contactus#therestaurantzone.com
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Hospitality Recruiters

McKenna Brewer

Hospitality Recruiter

McKenna joined RestaurantZone in 2021 as a Hospitality Recruiter. Based in the Bay Area, California, she has extensive experience in hospitality recruiting. She enjoys matching candidates with great clients and believes that building lasting relationships is crucial for success in her role.

Since joining RestaurantZone, she has successfully placed Executive Chefs, Sous Chefs, General Managers, and Assistant Managers. McKenna has collaborated with clients nationwide, including in California, New York, Florida, Ohio, and other regions. Through thorough sourcing and outreach efforts, she has established a strong candidate pipeline for various positions such as Director of Operations, Multi-Unit Manager, FOH & BOH Managers, Executive Chefs, Sous Chefs, Line Cooks, and Prep Cooks.

McKenna is a graduate of Suffolk University in Boston, MA, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Associate's Degree in English. During her college years, she worked full-time at Bar Louie as a Bartender and Assistant Manager. Her interests include travel, animals, and spending time with her family.

Work with McKenna, email her at : contactus#therestaurantzone.com

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Maximilian Vlach

Hospitality Recruiter

Max joined the RestaurantZone team in July 2021. His passion for staffing and recruiting is backed by fifteen years of restaurant experience. Now, he can leverage his industry knowledge and recruiting expertise to identify the best candidates for his clients. Currently, he is collaborating with clients such as Pilot Travel Centers, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Applebee's, Tastes on the Fly, Condado Tacos, and more. He takes pleasure in recruiting for all positions, from Line Cook to General Manager to Area Supervisor, as long as it helps people get back to work and support their families.

Max earned a Bachelor of Science in Audio Engineering from the University of Colorado Denver. Despite being a musician at heart, he has extensive experience in restaurant management in California and Colorado. Transforming this experience into recruiting has become his passion.

He currently lives in beautiful Bend, Oregon, with his wife and children. He has a strong affinity for the outdoors and spends his free time hiking, snowboarding, and fishing. Additionally, he enjoys cooking in his kitchen.

Work with Max, email him at: contactus#therestaurantzone.com

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Ryan Guzowski,

Hospitality Talent Advisor

Ryan attended Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where he studied Business and Marketing.

He then transitioned into the hospitality industry by recruiting CDL Class A Truck Drivers, where he achieved great success, leading to many other opportunities. Ryan chose Restaurant Zone because he is always seeking new challenges and felt that Restaurant Zone would be the perfect fit.

Outside of work, Ryan's passions revolve around sports. He enjoys playing golf and softball in the summer and hockey in the winter. What defines Ryan is his determination to excel in any challenge he faces, all while maintaining a cheerful demeanor.

Work with Ryan, email him at: contactus#therestaurantzone.com

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Jennifer Chen, 

Hospitality Recruiter

With over 15 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, Jennifer has worked in leadership roles for corporate restaurant environments and mentored franchise owner operators. She is familiar with all field operations positions, having started from the bottom up. Jennifer has a strong passion for people and development.

Before joining The Restaurant Zone, Jennifer held positions in QSRs as a Multi-Unit Manager, Training Manager, General Manager, and gained extensive experience in new store openings, including recruiting, hiring, training, and developing associates for leadership roles or career advancement. She cultivated a loyal clientele through friendly and professional interactions and consistent appreciation.

In addition to the Restaurant Industry, Jennifer has also worked in finance, health and wellness, retail, and administration as an Executive Assistant for C-level executives. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development with a minor in Business.

Outside of work, Jennifer is a lifelong learner and family-oriented. She enjoys learning about functional medicine and integrating healing arts into her daily life. Jennifer savors a delicious cup of coffee or hot tea while enjoying nature hikes and walks by the ocean. She is excited to leverage her experience to make a significant impact in recruiting top talent for the hospitality industry.

 

Work with Jennifer, email her at: contactus#therestaurantzone.com

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Stacie Gancayco Adlao,

Hospitality Recruiter

With over 15 years of experience in Recruiting and Customer Service and a B.A. degree from UC Berkeley in Mass Communications, Stacie combines her expertise in building exceptional teams with her dedication to discovering top talent.
 
She takes genuine pleasure in creating excellent opportunities for outstanding candidates to thrive and make meaningful contributions to their teams and organizations.
 
Work with Stacie, email her at: contactus#therestaurantzone.com
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Matthew Ferguson,

Hospitality Talent Advisor

Matt is an executive leader and talent acquisition expert, skilled in developing strategic visions for recruiting and fostering innovative cultures across all levels of an organization. He is driven by results, focusing on building relationships, operational excellence, cost efficiency, growth, and service.

Matt actively engages in his local community in Detroit, Michigan, with a particular passion for the arts, especially music, as he has been a musician for most of his life. He enjoys connecting with people, spreading kindness, sharing laughter, and engaging in conversations, whether in a professional environment, his favorite coffee shop, or local pub.
 
Work with Matthew, email him at: contactus#therestaurantzone.com
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Austin Breen

Sr. Hospitality Recruiter

Be it small - the changes we make daily can still have a significant impact. Austin is dedicated to enhancing the lives of Hospitality Operational Management and Associates. With over a decade of hands-on experience in more than 20 establishments, either through internships or employment, he has a deep understanding of this industry. Holding a degree in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management, he is familiar with the challenges, requirements, and individuals essential for success.

Originally from Utah, now residing in Colorado, Austin is a frequent traveler and van dweller who enjoys outdoor activities and immersing himself in different cultures. He is always up for a discussion about food, treasure hunting, or environmental conservation. Prior to relocating to Colorado, Austin established a Non-Profit 501c(3) organization called W.I.L.D (What If Litter Disappeared) dedicated to removing litter from natural areas. He comes from a diverse family background, blending Fijian, Utahn, and Southern cultures under one roof.

Work with Austin, email him at: contactus#therestaurantzone.com

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Lalaine Brounsuzian 

Hospitality Recruiter

MS in Leading Innovation and Change, Lalaine enjoys learning about individuals' experiences, career aspirations, and progression to higher levels. She is passionate about making a positive impact and contributing to the success of applicants. Lalaine opts for RestaurantZone due to the support, enjoyment, and opportunities for growth it offers, enabling her to excel in her role.
 
In addition to her professional pursuits, Lalaine has a keen interest in reading, cooking, traveling, and exploring food and culture. Her ultimate goal is to continue enriching lives and creating a positive impact on everyone she encounters.
 
Work with Lalaine, email her at: contactus#therestaurantzone.com
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Francisco Medina Ceceña

Hospitality Recruiter

Francisco Medina Ceceña is a professional Sales Leader and coach/mentor. With twenty years of experience in the IT Industry as a consultant, he has built a career focusing on technical and commercial aspects. Additionally, Francisco has created numerous courses and seminars in both technical and commercial areas of the industry.
 
As an instructor, he has accumulated over 15,000 hours of teaching. He has also implemented corporate programs that span across all areas of organizations. Francisco now joins the TRZ team as a Senior Recruiter, bringing his extensive HR expertise to ensure the selection of the right resources for our clients' needs.
 
Work with Francisco, email him at: contactus#therestaurantzone.com
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Emily Wing

Hospitality Talent Advisor

With over a decade of experience in the Hospitality Industry, Emily has successfully merged her frontline expertise with her dedication to team building and organizational enhancement. Her unwavering commitment to embodying the essence of hospitality fuels her enthusiasm for connecting candidates with opportunities and cultivating enduring professional connections. Drawing from her background in both on-site and corporate operations management, she possesses a distinctive understanding of the talent requirements within the realm of hospitality.

Emily earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Appalachian State University (Go Mountaineers!). Her roots intertwine the Blue Ridge Parkway with the sandy coastlines of Virginia and the Carolinas. When she manages to detach herself from her laptop and a captivating book, you will likely find Emily in the kitchen preparing a hearty pot of soup or attempting to replicate her beloved Starbucks beverage, all while skillfully evading any encounters with her and her husband's furry companions. She eagerly anticipates leveraging her expertise and southern charm to recruit top-tier talent and foster stronger teams.
 
Work with Emily, email her at : contactus#therestaurantzone.com
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RZ MANAGEMENT TEAM!

Joseph Pushnam 

Strategy & Operations Analyst Lead

 
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Cromwell Barredo

Project & Accounting Coordinator

 

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Hazel Jane 

Sourcing Specialist

 
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Joan Juele,

Office Administrator & Research Associate

 

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Companies That Trust RestaurantZone

Why Choose RZ?

  • We’re heavily focused on client needs. While recruiting for each and every one, our clients have similarities, every client has different specific needs. Our job is to understand our clients unique needs and develop a recruitment strategy that actually delivers & works for them.
  • RZ is an agency that has the best-in-class technology & resources to recruit for customers. We have a proprietary database of 770,000 unique candidates in the industry and access to over 250MM+ candidates with our technology, advertising and partnerships. This leads to clients having access to the best talent and many quality options.
  • Our team has worked & recruited in restaurants, hotels and hospitality. Working with a large traditional agency can be costly and many times they don’t deliver the candidates you need (or longevity, for that matter!). Many just send resumes, while at our agency you can expect quality over quantity (but still deliver quickly!). We send robust notes, background checks, but spend time doing our due diligence on candidates on behalf of our clients. Which yield in producing better retention rates and hires that last & deliver value for several years. 97.5% of the time RestaurantZone gets the  first-time hire correct the first time around. 
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Where You Can Find Us

RZ is a nationwide firm and operates in every U.S. state. Here is a short list of some of the cities we serve:

New York, NY

Los Angeles, CA

 

San Francisco, CA

Tampa, FL

Austin, TX

Maryland

Nevada

Arizona

Washington D.C.

Atlanta, GA

 

Dallas, TX

Minneapolis, MN

📞 Call 1-800-513-5096 

Ready to find your next Superstar?

Speak with a Recruiter to help you find the right solution today. Every client has a customized cost structure based on their business size, market, location, and unique hiring needs. Our team works to create a structure that can deliver maximum value, impact, and is cost-effective for our client. Please call 1-800-513-5096  or email contactus#therestaurantzone.com to request a detailed quote & contract.

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