Joel Feigenheimer

With experience encompassing over 30 years in the hospitality industry, Joel Feigenheimer realizes the importance of guest focus and operational management.Beginning as Manager at Houlihan’s Old Place following his graduation from the prestigious Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Feigenheimer has experienced nearly every role offered by restaurants and other upscale dining settings. His experience includes time as General Manager for national restaurant chain TGI Friday’s, Inc., Vice President of a restaurant cooperative designed to enhance purchasing power, owner of his own restaurant, consultant to various dining establishments, and most recently as a purchaser for a collection of restaurants under the auspices of China Grill Management.

Joel Feigenheimer first took interest in purchasing for restaurants in 1983when he owned The Cranberry Bog, an upscale eatery specializing in seafood and prime beef. To help account for operational profitability, Feigenheimer entered into a collective agreement with other restaurants to become one of the founders of the Restaurant Operator’s Cooperative in Albany, New York. By helping to organize over 100 restaurants, Feigenheimer’s co-op used its combined purchasing power to negotiate better deals on products and services. As Vice President of the co-op, Feigenheimer attended all board meetings and contributed to major decisions. In addition to lowering product costs, the co-op also implemented vendor rebate and discount programs.

Joel Feigenheimer continues to offer his expertise at Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. As the Adjunct Professor of Purchasing and Menu Planning at one of the nation’s top 10 4-year hospitality programs, Feigenheimer educates students on everything from ethics and sustainability to product management and inventory control. His course includes outings to operating distributors and industry meetings. Joel Feigenheimer resides in Boca Raton, Florida. He is currently working towards a Master of Business Administration, with an anticipated graduation date of 2012.