Marty Tarabar, CPC
Franchise Partner
Division: Restaurant
Location: Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, Pennsylvania-Eastern
Division: Hospitality
Location: Colorado, Delaware, New Jersey-South, Pennsylvania-Eastern
Marty Tarabar
Franchise Partner, Gecko Hospitality
Hospitality & Restaurant Division | Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, New Jersey & Pennsylvania
Phone: 267-308-8495 | Email: marty@geckohospitality.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martytarabar/
Credentials: CPC
About Marty
Marty Tarabar is a hospitality and restaurant recruiting partner with Gecko Hospitality serving the Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania market. Marty’s focus: Restaurant and hospitality recruiting (multi-state: AR, CO, DE, IA, NE, PA-Eastern, NJ-South); multi-unit leadership background. Gecko Hospitality Franchise Partner since 2005, having built and trained a team of recruiters across his territories.
Background & Experience
He is a member and corporate sponsor of the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association and a presenter of seminars for restaurant owners statewide; worked up through restaurants from dishwasher and fry cook to General Manager, Training General Manager, and District Manager for regional and national restaurant groups; Food Service Manager for Genuardi Family Markets (a division of Safeway).
Areas of Focus
Positions: General Manager and Assistant General Manager; Executive Chef and culinary leadership; Multi-unit, area, and district leaders; Hotel and hospitality operations leadership; Director and senior operations roles
Markets served: Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
How Marty Evaluates Talent
When I review a resume, I look for tenure at their various positions as well as growth through their career. During the interview I seek out their management skills, their ability to adapt to new situations, and their emphasis on guest service and employee experience.
Marty’s Market Perspective
2026 has been a different year for the recruiting industry. More candidates are ‘job hugging,’ worried about economic conditions and the fear of leaving their current position. Candidates are bringing up quality of life and work/life balance much more often. Restaurant groups keep on growing and are discovering new ways to provide supervisory coverage without the full expense of a salaried manager. When candidates are ready and willing to move, we often find clients not willing to shorten their hiring process, therefore missing out on great candidates.
Advice
For employers: Before I begin a search for a client I do an extensive onboarding to understand not only the specifics of the job but the culture of the company, so I know which of my candidates would be the best fit.
For candidates: Candidates need a clean, concise resume citing their specific accomplishments, not a list of duties from a job description. To be ready for an interview, do your research: stop in at the restaurant beforehand, taste the food, and observe the culture.
In Marty’s Words
“An experienced recruiter will help a candidate best present themselves to a prospective client, through coaching and preparation.”
Testimonials
“Marty has always been my go-to guy for employment. The company never disappoints; I will recommend to anyone.”
Zachary B. (Candidate, Omaha, NE, 2026)
“Our company has been using Gecko Hospitality to assist with management talent over the years and they’ve never disappointed us. Marty delivers not only qualified applicants but stellar customer service. I highly recommend Gecko Hospitality.”
Anthony McDonald (Client, Club Quarters, Philadelphia)
“Marty listened and helped me with the decision process to find the best GM for our new restaurant. He found the perfect person with the right energy level and ties to the Lehigh Valley. We will be using him in the future to fill additional spots.”
John Noble (Client)
“Marty is one of a kind. He develops relationships and learns about his candidates so he can properly pair them where they will grow, not just anywhere. Anyone would be lucky to have him representing them.”
Brian Harmon (Candidate)
Marty Tarabar, CPC
Franchise Partner
Division: Restaurant
Location: Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, Pennsylvania-Eastern
Division: Hospitality
Location: Colorado, Delaware, New Jersey-South, Pennsylvania-Eastern
Marty Tarabar
Franchise Partner, Gecko Hospitality
Hospitality & Restaurant Division | Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, New Jersey & Pennsylvania
Phone: 267-308-8495 | Email: marty@geckohospitality.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martytarabar/
Credentials: CPC
About Marty
Marty Tarabar is a hospitality and restaurant recruiting partner with Gecko Hospitality serving the Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania market. Marty’s focus: Restaurant and hospitality recruiting (multi-state: AR, CO, DE, IA, NE, PA-Eastern, NJ-South); multi-unit leadership background. Gecko Hospitality Franchise Partner since 2005, having built and trained a team of recruiters across his territories.
Background & Experience
He is a member and corporate sponsor of the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association and a presenter of seminars for restaurant owners statewide; worked up through restaurants from dishwasher and fry cook to General Manager, Training General Manager, and District Manager for regional and national restaurant groups; Food Service Manager for Genuardi Family Markets (a division of Safeway).
Areas of Focus
Positions: General Manager and Assistant General Manager; Executive Chef and culinary leadership; Multi-unit, area, and district leaders; Hotel and hospitality operations leadership; Director and senior operations roles
Markets served: Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
How Marty Evaluates Talent
When I review a resume, I look for tenure at their various positions as well as growth through their career. During the interview I seek out their management skills, their ability to adapt to new situations, and their emphasis on guest service and employee experience.
Marty’s Market Perspective
2026 has been a different year for the recruiting industry. More candidates are ‘job hugging,’ worried about economic conditions and the fear of leaving their current position. Candidates are bringing up quality of life and work/life balance much more often. Restaurant groups keep on growing and are discovering new ways to provide supervisory coverage without the full expense of a salaried manager. When candidates are ready and willing to move, we often find clients not willing to shorten their hiring process, therefore missing out on great candidates.
Advice
For employers: Before I begin a search for a client I do an extensive onboarding to understand not only the specifics of the job but the culture of the company, so I know which of my candidates would be the best fit.
For candidates: Candidates need a clean, concise resume citing their specific accomplishments, not a list of duties from a job description. To be ready for an interview, do your research: stop in at the restaurant beforehand, taste the food, and observe the culture.
In Marty’s Words
“An experienced recruiter will help a candidate best present themselves to a prospective client, through coaching and preparation.”
Testimonials
“Marty has always been my go-to guy for employment. The company never disappoints; I will recommend to anyone.”
Zachary B. (Candidate, Omaha, NE, 2026)
“Our company has been using Gecko Hospitality to assist with management talent over the years and they’ve never disappointed us. Marty delivers not only qualified applicants but stellar customer service. I highly recommend Gecko Hospitality.”
Anthony McDonald (Client, Club Quarters, Philadelphia)
“Marty listened and helped me with the decision process to find the best GM for our new restaurant. He found the perfect person with the right energy level and ties to the Lehigh Valley. We will be using him in the future to fill additional spots.”
John Noble (Client)
“Marty is one of a kind. He develops relationships and learns about his candidates so he can properly pair them where they will grow, not just anywhere. Anyone would be lucky to have him representing them.”
Brian Harmon (Candidate)