Chris Kauffman Enterprises

Chris Kauffman

Restaurant Operations, Management and Recruiting Experience

After graduating with a BA in Marketing from Valdosta State University in August of 1973, Chris Kauffman’s first career was Assistant Editor of The Southeast Georgian in Kingsland, GA.

 In the winter of 1974, Chris changed careers from Journalism to Restaurants. From March of ‘74 until March of ‘81, Chris held a series of successively more responsible Restaurant Operations positions with: Red Lobster * Hyatt Hotels * Steak & Ale/Bennigan’s * Magic Pan Restaurants (a subsidiary of The Quaker Oats Company) and, Director of Operations for an independent restaurant company in North Carolina. In those 7 years Chris managed restaurants in: Atlanta, GA; Anderson, SC; Denver, CO; Kansas City, MO; Omaha, NE; Cleveland, OH; Chicago, IL; and Winston-Salem, NC. Highest volume: 12,000 customers per week at The Magic Pan at Oak Brook Mall, Oak Brook, IL.

Since April 1981 on a national basis, Chris Kauffman has specialized as a Recruiter of Restaurant, Culinary and Hospitality Industry Professionals, making placements from unit management to senior level corporate executives. Chris is the founder and president of CHRIS Kauffman & Co., filling professional positions in Clubs, Hotels, Restaurants, Institutions and Sales. (www.Kauffco.com) One of the reasons for Kauffman’s longevity in the turbulent here today/gone tomorrow recruiting industry is that Chris has a continual growing list of satisfied client companies. Chris was also the hands-on Food & Beverage Consultant for Kevin Costner at his restaurant in Deadwood, SD.

Here is a sampling of placements by Chris Kauffman & Co.

Executive Chef Conchy Joe’s Restaurants, Jensen Beach, FL  

Executive Chef at Ray’s on the River ($11 Million F&B Volume)

Executive Chef with John Portman Co. (Developers of Hyatt Regency & Westin Peachtree Plaza)

Managing Partner /Operations Director for The OK Café ($10 Million)

Restaurant Managers for Bone’s Steak House & The Blue Ridge Grill             

Corporate Culinary Director for Darden Restaurants (Seasons 52 & Bahama Breeze) Orlando, FL

President of Skolnik’s Bagel Bakery (Oklahoma City & New Jersey)

Vice President of Marketing for Red Lobster

Corporate Chef for Dunwoody Restaurant Group 

Numerous In-Store Restaurant Managers and Kitchen Managers for Houston’s Restaurants

Over 100 In-Store Restaurant Managers for Ruby Tuesday from 1981- Present

Giving back to his industry, in 2003 Chris Kauffman placed Ron Wolf as the CEO of the Georgia Restaurant Association on a pro bono basis. Chris Kauffman is also a professional speaker and entertainer. Kauffman has been seen on ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America” as well as local and national TV commercials, plus professional voice-over work. In 2019 Kauffman was the Opening Comedy Act for Roy Clark, former Host of Hee-Haw, at the Civic Center in Savannah, GA. Kauffman’s 6 min Demo Reel of his TV Commercials and Comedy (suitable for all audiences) is available at  www.ChrisKauffman.com. 

On a volunteer basis in his community, Chris has produced charity comedy shows for the benefit of Crossroads Community Ministries, a non-profit, multi-faith local charity that is Atlanta’s oldest soup kitchen, helping the homeless in Atlanta find employment, secure benefits and arrange housing. Kauffman’s six charity comedy shows produced in excess of $100,000 for Crossroads. 

Chris grew up in Atlanta attending primary and secondary schools in Atlanta before graduating with Honors from Valdosta State.