Frank Kren of AT YOUR SERVICE, began his thirty year career in the hospitality industry when he was sixteen years old as a dishwasher in an Italian American Restaurant in Pennsylvania. He was soon promoted to busboy and then to Server. Frank worked as a server for the next few years, in a variety of venues, big, small, high end and low end, ultimately landing competitive positions at such places as the Four Seasons Hotel, and as a Captain at the famed, five star Inn and restaurant, The Inn At Little Washington. Frank was often rewarded for hard work and leadership skills. As Captain, he had responsibility for intensive training of new recruits.
In 1990 Frank began his career as a Manager at the Watergate Hotel in Washington DC. He was to open a brand new three meal restaurant called the Riverview, overlooking the Potomac. He would be the General Manger there for one year before an inside promotion beckoned from one of the world’s greatest Chefs: Jean Louis Palladin. Jean Louis offered Frank the position of General Manager for his world class, five star restaurant. After two years, Frank was called on to become the Food and Beverage Director of the Watergate Hotel under Hotelier Ibraham Fahmy. Frank spent five years with the Watergate Hotel.
As the Watergate Hotel was preparing for a sale, Frank was invited back to the Inn At Little Washington for the newly opened General Manager position. During his tenure, Frank led his team to the acclaimed James Beard Award for Exemplary Service in 1996. This was the first James Beard award for service for the world famous Inn.
Frank made contact again with friend and colleague, Ibraham Fahmy, and went back to Washington in the role of Director of Restaurants for the newly opened St. Regis Hotel. Frank worked closely with the Chef and culinary team of Elaine Ducass, and the front of the house staff of Lespinasse, where he was responsible for direct oversight. Within a short time, Lespinasse was awarded the AAA five diamond award.
Frank has also worked as Director of Fine Dining for the Naples, Florida, Ritz Carlton Hotel, where he had management and oversight for the five star, Dining Room, and the world renown Grill Room. In that time, The Grill Room was named the #1 restaraunt, company wide, according to Gallop Polling. It was then that Frank was invited to help open the new Ritz Carlton, Grand Lakes Hotel in Orlando. As a member of the Opening Team, Frank was responsible for opening outlets from the bottom up and training the staff.
Shortly thereafter, Frank was promoted to Food and Beverage Director of a new Ritz property in Jupiter, Florida. It was here at a new company prototype that Frank worked on a new HB2 Visa Program. Traveling to Romania with a team from Human Resources, the Jupiter property continues with the same seasonal recruits to this day. Frank would serve Ritz Carlton Hotel company for four years.
Interested in making some important career decisions at the end of his fourth year with Ritz Carlton, Frank made contact with the honorable Hortz Shultze, original founder of Ritz Carlton Hotels, and owner of the new West Paces Group of Atlanta. The inspired vision of six star properties worldwide, and a training hotel at Auburn Univesity, was appealing to Frank. He was offered a position as a leader in the Food and Beverage Division for the company at The Hotel at Auburn University, where he currently teaches various F & B courses and acted in the capacity of Food and Beverage Director, with responsibility for revising the company training manual and a new POS system. As well, Frank formally certified dozens of staff members, preparing them for Leadership in the West Paces Group company, worldwide.
Frank Kren has had one of the most distinguished careers in the hospitality industry, and has enjoyed much success. He has had the great pleasure, personally and professionally, to work with some of the finest Hoteliers and Chefs in the world. With a career that spans Four Seasons Hotels, Ritz Carlton Hotels, St. Regis Hotels, West Paces Group, and the top rated Inn and Restaruant in the USA, Frank has gained a wealth of experience and wisdom. Having garnered several top awards for Service and Quality, Frank has accomplished what most hope to accomplish in the industry; success and great personal satisfaction.
Frank has a new Vision of his own now. Leaving the task of daily paper flow to others, it is Frank’s deepest desire to spend all his time Inspiring, Leading and Teaching others how to raise the bar. There will always be times when people ask for inspiration, leadership and knowledge to raise the bar, whether it be a company directive, or a special event for VIP’s. Frank has proven, time and again, that proper training, oversight, experience, and leadership is critical for long term growth and success.
Frank expects the next 30 years to provide even more excitement, fulfillment and success.
Frank Kren is 47 years old and married 20 years and has three children. They are based in Auburn Alabama.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ” AT YOUR SERVICE CONSULTING AND TRAINING” and a full color digital brochure, please contact Mr. Kren by email at frank22kren@aol.com .
Mr. Kren is nearly ready to publish his first book called…
FROM DISHWASHER TO GENERAL MANAGER
This ebook will be available for purchase in the fall of 2007.
