Name: David Goronkin

Company: Buffets, Inc.

Title: Chief Operating Officer

1. What other positions have you held that helped you to get where you are today?

   I began my foodservice career as a brazier cook at the local Dairy Queen at the age of 14. From here I was offered an opportunity to work the counter, and became hooked ever since. After working at the DQ, I became a dishwasher and a foodrunner at a Dinner Theatre, and then took on numerous hourly positions as I continued in school. My first management position was a Bar Manager at a small Ramada Inn Motel in Flagstaff, Arizona. From here, I took on several restaurant management positions, working my way to General Manager at Chi-Chi’s Mexican Restaurants. This opportunity led me to several multi unit positions, including both company and franchise operations. After Chi-Chi’s, I was offered an opportunity to assume several Director level positions at Home Town Buffet, which led to becoming Vice President with Buffets, Inc., and now Chief Operating Officer.

2. Why are you proud to work in the restaurant and foodservice business?

   This is a wonderful industry where hard work and a passion for satisfying peoples desires, will lead to many opportunities. This industry allows for individuals to participate in many aspects of the business, such as operations, marketing, product development, finance, construction, and people development. Not very many industries are as open to allowing business generalists the ability to learn and thrive in a supporting environment. The restaurant business is also a real time business; each and every day, with each and every guest interaction, you have the ability to gauge your level of success.

3. What advice would you give to students enrolled in ProStart?

   Enjoy the opportunity to learn all aspects of the business and recognize the value your education brings to compliment your work experiences. The ProStart program offers you a great chance to jump-start your learning compliment your work experiences. The ProStart program offers you a great chance to jump start your learning and position you well for continued formal education and work experiences. The ProStart certificate is fast becoming recognized as a valuable credential, which validates an individual’s experience and education in our industry.

4. If you had a mentor please explain how that person was a factor as to why you chose to go into the industry.
   
   I have been very fortunate in my various work experiences to have the opportunity to work with and be mentored by many great people in the industry. I understood very quickly that insight gained through my mentoring relationships was incredibly valuable in supporting my desire to succeed in the restaurant business. Through every course of my career growth, I sought out mentors who would assist me in my development through sharing experiences, offering perspective and insight, and being someone who I could count on for real feedback on professional issues.