SHERIF EL AHWAL
CAF Cafe
Summary
Senior hospitality industry expert with 26+years' experience in Canada and Middle East, which molds me to be equipped with versatile operations, Management, Leadership Skills, and key focus on People Development in Food & Beverage concept with more focus on coffee industry. Moreover, expert in new market opening, and brand launch both in domestic and international markets,Drives P&L ownership, store openings, franchise compliance, and team performance across store managers and area managers, with a focus on sales growth, profitability, and brand execution. Builds operating systems, SOPs, and accountability routines that support consistent service, quality, and expansion.
3
Languages
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Operations & Franchise (CAF Cafe)
2 Years 1 Month- Develop operational strategies aligned with commercial and growth objectives for a multi-store coffee business.
- Manage operational P&L, budgets, forecasting, labor costs, and food costs to support profitability and control spend.
- Oversee franchise operations across assigned markets, adapting execution to local requirements while maintaining brand compliance.
- Lead new store openings, coordinating staffing, training, readiness, and launch execution through clear plans and timelines.
- Establish SOPs, audit systems, and cross-functional coordination with Finance, HR, Marketing, Supply Chain, Training, and Commercial teams.
Regional Brand Manager (Joe & The Juice)
9 Months- Led Bahrain market entry for Joe & The Juice, delivering half a million-dollar revenue in the first month of launch.
- Directed new store openings across the market, covering site selection and design review for each location.
- Set performance objectives and KPIs for the team, then provided ongoing coaching and support.
- Drove talent reviews and succession planning to support future market growth and leadership continuity.
- Developed the HR manual and required policies and procedures to support a smooth market entry.
- Aligned opening execution with franchise operations requirements to support a consistent brand launch.
Operations Manager (Costa Coffee)
6 Years 1 Month- Managed a full market of 100+ stores in Kuwait while supporting a new market launch and multi-unit operation.
- Opened 80 stores in 5 years across Kuwait by driving site selection and design reviews for new store openings.
- Rationalized the P&L to maximize profit, minimize loss, and identify new segments to grow sales.
- Approved annual capex and labor budgets—balancing spend with growth priorities across the market.
- Set performance objectives and KPIs for the team, providing coaching and support to improve execution.
- Led talent review and succession planning across the market to support future growth plans.
- Coordinated manpower planning and recruitment with local and overseas partners to staff new store openings.
Restaurant Manager (The Cheesecake Factory)
3 Years 7 Months- Managed a $20 million store with 500-seat capacity, overseeing daily service standards and guest flow.
- Directed 450 employees across the restaurant hierarchy, supporting staffing coordination, training, and performance consistency.
- Supported new-store training for openings across KSA, UAE, Lebanon, and Qatar, strengthening launch readiness.
- Served as acting Training Manager at The Cheesecake Factory in Avenues Mall, supporting new hire training requirements.
- Drove sales budget delivery and labor cost control against targets through close daily monitoring.
- Applied decision making to coordinate schedules, resolve issues, and maintain service standards across restaurant operations.
Restaurant Manager (Panera Bread)
3 Years- Opened Panera Bread Canada's first Toronto café in downtown Toronto, supporting the brand's initial market entry.
- Established the Toronto flagship store for Panera Bread, translating launch plans into a fully operational location.
- Drove $350,000 in December sales at the Albany, New York café, setting a monthly sales record.
- Applied strategic planning and decision making to support a high-profile downtown Toronto launch.
- Coordinated the flagship opening with a focus on franchise operations and consistent brand execution.
Multi-Unit Manager
5 Years- Directed daily operations across multiple locations to maintain consistent service standards and store readiness.
- Coordinated staffing needs, shift coverage, and scheduling adjustments to support reliable service delivery.
- Trained store managers and team members on service expectations, procedures, and day-to-day execution.
- Supported new store openings by coordinating readiness tasks, staffing, and launch-day operations.
Restaurant general manager
7 Months- Managed daily restaurant operations, balancing service standards, staffing needs, and guest satisfaction.
- Oversaw front-of-house and back-of-house coordination to support consistent food quality and timely service.
- Implemented opening procedures for a new store location, aligning daily routines with operating standards.
- Reviewed sales trends and labor needs to support informed scheduling and cost control decisions.
Assistant Manager (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell)
1 Year- Supervised front-of-house and kitchen teams during peak service, maintaining pace and customer satisfaction.
- Trained new staff on service standards, food preparation basics, and closing procedures.
- Monitored inventory levels and placed replenishment orders to support uninterrupted restaurant operations.
- Supported new store opening activities, including setup coordination, team readiness, and launch-day operations.
Restaurant Manager (KFC Restaurant)
3 Years 4 Months- Managed daily restaurant operations, balancing service quality, staff coordination, and guest satisfaction standards.
- Supervised front-of-house and back-of-house workflows to keep service moving smoothly during busy periods.
- Coordinated new store opening activities, supporting launch readiness and day-to-day setup using added_new_skills.
- Applied people management practices to support staff performance, communication, and consistent service delivery.
Education
Travel & Tourism Diploma - Tourism and Travel Management
Bachelor of Arts - Tourism & Hotel Management
Skills
New store opening
People management
Strategic planning
Recruitment
Decision making
Franchise operations
Multi-unit operations
P&L management
Budget forecasting
SOP development
Accomplishments
Created full operations manual and details SOP for CAF brand.
Established Joe & Juice in bahrain .
Led Costa Coffee kuwait to a full transition from 30 to 104 stores.
LANGUAGES
Arabic
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
German
Limited Working
Timeline
Head of Operations & Franchise (CAF Cafe)
CAF Cafe
08.2024 - Current
Regional Brand Manager (Joe & The Juice)
S&J Ventures
10.2023 - 07.2024
Operations Manager (Costa Coffee)
Alghanim industries
08.2017 - 09.2023
Restaurant Manager (The Cheesecake Factory)
M.H. Alshaya. Co. W.L.L
01.2014 - 08.2017
Restaurant Manager (Panera Bread)
Panera Bread Canada
01.2011 - 01.2014
Multi-Unit Manager
Starbucks coffee
01.2006 - 01.2011
Restaurant general manager
Slice of New York
06.2005 - 01.2006
Assistant Manager (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell)
YUM Company
05.2004 - 05.2005
Restaurant Manager (KFC Restaurant)
Americana
01.2001 - 05.2004
University of Alexandria
Bachelor of Arts from Tourism & Hotel Management
International Institute of Travel
Travel & Tourism Diploma from Tourism and Travel Management
Personal Information
Title: Head of operations & Franchise