Named to Forbes 2019 list of America’s Best Recruiting Firms.
Find your next executive for boutique or multi-unit hotels, casinos, country clubs, resorts, vacation clubs and BnBs with our trusted hospitality executive search firm.
Discover the best candidates for any restaurant, from fast casual to fine dining, sports venues to healthcare senior living. Our restaurant and hospitality management recruitment team can help.
Where some may believe a work / life balance is impossible,
Gecko Hospitality makes it possible.
We would like to recommend Gecko Hospitality as a excellent recruiting partner. We approached the Gecko office with the task of finding an Operating Partner to develop our new Poke Bar concept. We discussed the details with the Gecko recruiter. Their depth of knowledge in operations and the market helped in making valuable suggestions. We were very pleased that in a period of 4 weeks that we identified a candidate, extended an offer and secured the opening! We plan on calling Gecko Hospitality as we open more locations! Thank you!
I would like to take the time to send in some acknowledgement for Rob Wallace. I personally had the honor to work with Mr. Wallace while seeking out my next opportunity. Rob went above and beyond for me. Not the cliche “politically correct” above and beyond. But, truly Rob took his time to assist me. For that I will be forever grateful. As a token of my gratitude I wanted to take time to acknowledge Rob publicly. Rob was nothing short of outstanding, great personality, wonderful hospitality & very punctual.
Thank you Rob Wallace.
We were searching for a kitchen manager candidate and the normal job sites weren’t doing the trick. We were spending hundreds of dollars a week and couldn’t find any candidates worthy of interviewing. That’s when we decided to reach out to Gecko Hospitality. Joan from Gecko immediately made us feel comfortable. She was knowledgeable about the industry and knew the right candidates to call. Gecko’s prescreening interview saved us a ton of time, too. Joan was able to find us the right candidate, very quickly and we made the hire. The process was stress free. I am very confident we made the right decision. We will use Gecko Hospitality again and recommend them to anyone looking for staffing solutions.
Pairing up with Gecko to fulfill our staffing has been extremely advantageous, not only for our management team but also for the high caliber candidates that we have been presented with. The professionalism in which they work combined with amazing responsiveness created a strong foundation and business partnership.
I wanted to follow up to let you know how much we appreciate you connecting us with our new hire. We understand this is your job but we can’t tell you what a fantastically perfect fit he is for our GM role. We have had a very difficult past 4-5 years with various GMs that were not the right fit and were honestly very detrimental to our business. I know we paid for your service, but I need to extend an extra special thank you to you for helping us with this most important hire. We are excited and optimistic about our future and this is the single key contributor to that!
If we have future needs for other roles, we wouldn’t hesitate to reach out and will recommend you to anyone looking to fill a hospitality position.
Throughout my long-tenured career, I have known many recruiting companies and numerous recruiters.
That said, I can honestly tell you that you preside over the best Hospitality Recruiting Company in the country.
Rest assured, whenever my current company or others in my network need talent, or when industry professionals are looking for a job, I will reach out to Gecko Hospitality.
I have had the absolute pleasure in working with Gecko Hospitality this past year, we work directly with Karen Kern on most of our open positions and she has been phenomenal! What I appreciate most about Karen is she takes time to listen to exactly what we are looking for in a candidate, from their experience and demeanor. I can always count on her to be in communication with me and answer any questions I have during the process. Karen is a very knowledgeable about overall hotel operations and understands recruiting experienced people into these roles at our hotels.
Marty, Karen, and team have been a true asset to our recruitment process and we look forward to continuing to work with them for years to come.
Karen Kern is one of the best in her industry. She is very thorough in candidate selection, follow’s up and follows through. She takes her time and has always giving me the best of the best in candidates. In fact, her candidates are still with the company today. Her knowledge, understanding and experience are a true asset to her company and mine. Her approach and overall demeanor is always very excited, open and precise. I look forward to working with Karen for many years to come.
Marty
You are a great “people picker” and talent developer! Tara is terrific and reps you well.
I am on to the next phase of interviews!
Tara’s ‘tude’ is contagious and she motivates me, but keeps me grounded.
Thank you!
It’s been great working with Gecko Hospitality. They made sure to thoroughly educate themselves on our company culture before seeking out candidates for us, and since, their communication and follow-up has been impeccable from candidate introduction to selection process scheduling. They’ve matched us with some great candidates that wouldn’t have discovered us through our own ads, and many are succeeding in their current roles. We look forward to our continuing partnership with Gecko Hospitality.
Gecko Hospitality has been a huge asset to us in our hiring needs. Our company has been experiencing a huge influx of growth, and Gecko Hospitality is always quick to provide new candidates, and are always there for us for anything we need. The candidates they send are professional, qualified, and are exactly who we are looking for. We look forward to our continued partnership with Gecko and to receiving more of their referred talents.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Gecko Hospitality on several job searches as well as a candidate. Gecko demonstrated the highest degree of integrity, kindness, skill, insight, and perseverance. The Gecko Team is friendly and professional keeps the interest of its clients at heart. I highly recommend Gecko if you are looking for top quality talent or seeking career development.
I wanted to write a quick thank you for all of your hard work in presenting us with magnificent candidates. As you know, Gecko Hospitality is a new partner with Hard Rock but we are already seeing great results in the candidates you are providing us.
Your communication and screening of candidates to match our needs are working.
Keep up all of the great work.
Since 2014 I have had the pleasure of working with Gecko Hospitality. At the time our collaboration began, Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop maintained 4 existing establishments in the Los Angeles and Orange County Markets. With expansive growth on the horizon, Greenleaf partnered with Gecko to recruit key candidates to build our restaurant leadership team. Over the years, Gecko has placed General Managers, Managers, and Chefs within the Greenleaf Organization, helping to support our growth to 9 locations. Each time we were presented with talented candidates who matched our specific criteria and needs. Gecko’s personalized services seek to know and understand your business to ensure that all candidates presented will be a true fit within the organization. Please accept this letter and my personal and professional endorsement of Gecko Hospitality and the services they provide.
I just wanted to say thanks to you and your staff for your strong level of commitment and your willingness to work with Bakers Square in resolving our management openings.
For the past three years you have provided our Company with management candidates who are experienced in the restaurant industry and who display a high level of professionalism.
My regional managers have commented on the quality of your management referrals and they have collectivity chosen Gecko as their agency of choice for identifying and hiring the best management candidates.
Again, thanks for your help and I look forward to many more years of working together.
Gecko Hospitality has worked with us at Yard House for 5 years. In that time we have used them in all of our markets. Gecko has shown great ability in understanding the type of candidate we look for and their candidates are always prepared for our process. They have also shown great flexibility and determination in finding “diamonds in the rough”. Its their performance on that level that gives us confidence in using Gecko wherever we may need Managers.
I want to thank you for all of your assistance this year with attracting high quality talent for our unique concept. I especially appreciate your recruiting efforts in tough markets. You are first on my list to call regarding new openings.
Gecko Hospitality is one of the very few agencies I work with to place managers at GameWorks. Your firm is a true asset.
You and your team have very high standards and integrity.
I look forward to working with you and your team in the future.
Victoria is an excellent recruiter to hire when in need of restaurant managers. I recently asked Victoria for help in a very tough to hire region and she provided me with great candidates, one of whom we recently hired. What I appreciated most about working with Victoria was she took time to select candidates that met our requirements for the position we were looking to fill. She is also an excellent communicator and always kept me aware of the candidate’s she was submitting for consideration.
I highly recommend Victoria for any restaurant concept that is looking for additional recruiting support. She is trustworthy and very reliable and a pleasure to work with.
Kevin Kalstad was prompt and professional. Our new General Manager is a perfect fit. We look forward to enlisting the help of Gecko Hospitality as we continue to grow. Cheers, Kevin!
I would like to thank you and your staff for the hard work put forward in presenting qualified candidates to me in staffing Cracker Barrel Restaurants. Your recruiters’ diligence as well as follow-up to details are second to none. All of your recruiters are very cordial and I enjoy working with them. I look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with yourself and Gecko Hospitality. Keep up the good work.
I have worked with Gecko Hospitality for approximately 5 years and in that time they have displayed nothing less than professionalism, integrity and hard work. They have come through for us on multiple occasions in bringing solid candidates to fit our needs. Gecko Hospitality has done an excellent, consistent job over the years and their dedication, determination and follow-up are exemplary. We have had a great working relationship that I hope will continue for many, many years.
It has been a pleasure working with Larry Friedkin from Gecko Hospitality – it is obvious how deeply he cares about his profession and helping to link candidates to find their best possible next career. Larry has certainly done his research in understanding our company’s needs and interests, and presents timely candidates who often work out and end up being great additions to our bakery-cafes. He is quick to respond, be it setting up interviews, reviewing interview feedback and/or making sure each candidate is treated with respect, dignity, care and timeliness. Larry is conscientious, dedicated and interested to work with us to find the best possible candidates and managers. Our partnership continues to be enjoyable and a success.
I wanted to take a moment to thank you and your staff at Gecko Hospitality for the wonderful service you provide to Bravo! Development, Inc. In today’s market, seeking the best hospitality candidates can be a complicated task. With the timely and precise help of Gecko, Bravo! Development has been able to fill several key positions with extraordinary candidates.
Thank you again for providing the exemplary service I have come to expect from your company. Bravo! Development looks forward to a continued partnership with Gecko Hospitality.
It is with pleasure that I recommend the Gecko Hospitality organization. I wanted to say a special ‘thank you’ to Joan Koelbel who helped us with the recruiting efforts during a critical time of expansion process of our restaurants. We spent time discussion the particular qualities and the critical attributes that this person must possess in order to help propel our brand. Immediately, she was able to set up meetings and interviews with qualified candidates. We worked together on the recruiting process and she was timely and very professional. I would highly recommend working with Joan or the Gecko Hospitality organization again!
I just wanted to say thank Tom Bull and his team for helping us fulfill the Market Chef position for Washington, DC. I’m truly appreciative of his support along with the quick response from his team and most importantly identifying the ‘right fit’ candidate for us. We are very excited to get our new Market Chef started in DC.
In today’s competitive labor market, developing relationships with quality vendors is one of the keys to success. Working with ethical, talented individuals outside as well as inside a company is necessary in order for an organization to maximize its potential. At Ryan’s, we are selective in the companies that represent our brand.
I’m happy to say that Gecko Hospitality assists us in meeting our management staffing needs.
The staff at Gecko continues to earn our trust by accurately portraying Ryan’s to applicants. They are diligent, honest and perceptive in executing our job orders. Most importantly, they present fine quality candidates to us that meet and exceed our hiring criteria. Like Ryan’s, they have built a successful business by treating people right. That is a business strategy that will never go out of style!
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding our satisfaction with Gecko Hospitality.
When I joined the Krystal Company in September 2009, Sterling Smith was the first Recruiter that contacted me to establish a partnership. Sterling and I spent time on the phone week after week discussing candidates and their backgrounds so that he could get a best understanding of the Krystal culture and present the candidates that were the ideal fit for our various markets.
Due to his dedication, persistence and ability to make the connection between candidate and company, I am very proud of the fact that my first placement with my new company came from Sterling!
Any company that decides to partner up with Sterling and Gecko Hospitality is considered lucky in my book; he’s proven to me to be the ideal extension of our recruiting efforts!
In the past two years, Apple Gold has developed a strong recruiting relationship with Gecko Hospitality. They have done an exceptional job helping us successfully hire both Restaurant Managers and Area Directors.
Before sending potential candidates to us Gecko does an outstanding job of screening candidates ensuring we can make a good fit and create a beneficial match for both parties. During the time we have worked together the Gecko recruiters have demonstrated strong knowledge of the casual dining industry as well as a comprehensive understanding of our needs.
Overall, we immensely value our relationship with Gecko Hospitality and recommend them to other organizations.
Robert,
This is a letter of recommendation for Gecko Hospitality. Gecko Hospitality has played a vital role in Houlihan’s success over the years with its support of our management staffing and recruiting. Whether it is through open houses, career fairs, or direct staffing Gecko hospitality has always been there to provide the support that we need.
One of the areas that I feel is so important not only in the Hospitality field but in all fields is customer service. The people at Gecko Hospitality are what I like to consider ‘Leaders in our Industry.’ They truly understand what it takes to get the job done, but do it in a professional yet personable manner.
Thank-you very much for many years of partnership and success and I look forward to many more years of continual success and friendship.
I have used Rob’s services for years. He listens well to a client’s needs and delivers on them. Rob has great follow up and follow through. He has excellent resources and an extensive network. Rob is a pleasure to work with.
