Jim Hyllengren

I am most recently Vice President of Operations for Maria’s Italian Kitchen. I began my food service career working for TGI Fridays as a bar manager. I completed the MSAC 13th Fire academy in the top 5 of my class. In 1998, I was recruited to Romano’s Macaroni Grill. In February of 2000 I was promoted to General Manager. In March of 2003, I became an Area Director for Romano’s Macaroni Grill. I built close knit teams that quickly excelled and became the number one team in Southern California. I led my team to the top and was awarded the number one ranked director in the nation. In May of 2007, I was approached to come to Dallas, TX to be groomed for and take on the larger role of Regional Director. I led and coached teams in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. In 2009 I was asked to return to my native Southern California market to take over some opportunity stores in the Southern and Northern California markets. Known for my collaborative approach, sense of urgency and can do attitude I quickly turned the opportunity stores around and then took over the Utah market. Being a forward thinker I recognized the potential growth of the Fast Casual segment and in 2011 joined the quickly growing Tavistock concept Freebirds World Burrito. In 2012 I was recruited by Bloomin Brands to bring the Bonefish Grill Brand to the Southern California market. Showing great success I was asked to open up restaurants in 3 additional markets including Las Vegas, NV, Dallas, TX, and Albuquerque, NM. I was asked to take over 4 units in the Tennessee market along with my markets in CA, NV, TX, and NM. In 2014 I joined Maria’s Italian Kitchen as the Vice President of Operations. During my time at Maria’s I have designed and opened their first fast casual model in Marina del Rey, CA. After that I brought the brand up to Oxnard, CA developing a unique hybrid model and shortly thereafter completely remodeled the Brentwood, CA location.

My collection of leadership work clearly defines an individual driven by the development of my people through working directly with them and collaborating on their success. I approach accomplishing results by focusing on people and the process to obtain success. A teacher at heart I coach clear, “ground truth”communication and daily discipline to the processes that drive excellence.

My spouse, Kristi, and I reside in Glendora, CA. We have 3 children, ages 19, 20 and 29. I am an avid runner, mountain biker, and wake boarder.