Matthew Bodnar, CPC
Franchise Partner
Division: Restaurant
Location: Pennsylvania (Western)
Matthew Bodnar
Franchise Partner, Gecko Hospitality
Restaurant Division | Pennsylvania
Phone: 814-264-3227 | Email: matt@geckohospitality.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-bodnar-cpc-97348065/
Credentials: CPC
About Matthew
Matthew Bodnar is a Franchise Partner/Recruiter with Gecko Hospitality serving the Pennsylvania market. Matthew’s focus: Hospitality operations and F&B background; restaurant recruiting (Western PA). From 2013 to 2018 managed small and large-scale events on yachts in New York Harbor, oversaw concession-style service in a sports arena, and managed Food & Beverage at an upscale boutique hotel in Manhattan.
Background & Experience
From 2013 to 2018 managed small and large-scale events on yachts in New York Harbor, oversaw concession-style service in a sports arena, and managed Food & Beverage at an upscale boutique hotel in Manhattan; then the Philadelphia food scene; moved into Talent Acquisition and recruiting.
Areas of Focus
Positions: General Manager and Assistant General Manager; Kitchen Manager and Executive Chef; Multi-unit, area, and district leaders; Director and senior operations roles
Markets served: Pennsylvania.
How Matthew Evaluates Talent
I tend to focus on three things. First, their work history and why they have left each job; it tells me pretty quickly whether they are reliable, know what they want, or just want more without working hard or problem-solving. Second, the day-to-day nuts and bolts: food and labor cost control, working with vendors, ordering and receiving, inventory counts and management, scheduling, interviewing, hiring, training, and P&L. Third, the intangibles: what is their leadership style, what would prior employees say about them, how would they describe themselves as a manager, and why do they love this industry.
Matthew’s Market Perspective
There is rarely a shortage of open restaurant management jobs in Pennsylvania. Every single operator needs hourly employees, and most of them need at least one leader. Large companies are constantly hiring, and many of them want to fill their bench, which is very open-ended for candidates. Watching job boards suggests that it is often the same companies and brands that are consistently posting and accepting applicants for open jobs.
Advice
For employers: Know what you are looking for and what you can offer, have a process but don’t be afraid to adjust it for a strong candidate, and be ready to pull the trigger when someone checks enough boxes.
For candidates: Be serious about your job search. Respond to emails and missed calls from both me and the hiring manager, and treat your search and interviewing as a high priority.
In Matthew’s Words
“Your word and the trust you build in your professional relationships are the only two competitive advantages any recruiter can have.”
Testimonials
“Had a great experience with Gecko Hospitality, especially Matt Bodnar. He was great. We were discussing one job and he pointed me toward another that was a better fit for my experience. He worked with me every step of the way and I landed the job! He’s the best!”
Steven Clemens (Successfully placed candidate)
“Matt will fight for you. He is a genuine and top-notch communicator. If you want a recruiter that’s on your side, he’s the man.”
Joseph Krsul (Successfully placed candidate)
“Matt has been a great help in our hiring and staffing process. He’s done the leg work for finding qualified applicants and been very responsive to see the process through. It’s been a huge benefit for our company with very little risk. Thanks Matt.”
Brad Blankenship, Managing Partner, Fifth & Broad Partners (Satisfied client)
“Working with Gecko Hospitality, and Matt specifically, has been an absolute game-changer for our multi-unit restaurant operations. Their exceptional communication and follow-through throughout the entire hiring process has made finding top-tier management talent seamless and stress-free. Matt and his team serve as a truly valuable extension of our leadership group, consistently delivering the high-caliber candidates we need to keep our restaurants running successfully.”
Jeff Sorg, CEO, Pat Croce and Company (Hotel State College) (Satisfied client)
Matthew Bodnar, CPC
Franchise Partner
Division: Restaurant
Location: Pennsylvania (Western)
Matthew Bodnar
Franchise Partner, Gecko Hospitality
Restaurant Division | Pennsylvania
Phone: 814-264-3227 | Email: matt@geckohospitality.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-bodnar-cpc-97348065/
Credentials: CPC
About Matthew
Matthew Bodnar is a Franchise Partner/Recruiter with Gecko Hospitality serving the Pennsylvania market. Matthew’s focus: Hospitality operations and F&B background; restaurant recruiting (Western PA). From 2013 to 2018 managed small and large-scale events on yachts in New York Harbor, oversaw concession-style service in a sports arena, and managed Food & Beverage at an upscale boutique hotel in Manhattan.
Background & Experience
From 2013 to 2018 managed small and large-scale events on yachts in New York Harbor, oversaw concession-style service in a sports arena, and managed Food & Beverage at an upscale boutique hotel in Manhattan; then the Philadelphia food scene; moved into Talent Acquisition and recruiting.
Areas of Focus
Positions: General Manager and Assistant General Manager; Kitchen Manager and Executive Chef; Multi-unit, area, and district leaders; Director and senior operations roles
Markets served: Pennsylvania.
How Matthew Evaluates Talent
I tend to focus on three things. First, their work history and why they have left each job; it tells me pretty quickly whether they are reliable, know what they want, or just want more without working hard or problem-solving. Second, the day-to-day nuts and bolts: food and labor cost control, working with vendors, ordering and receiving, inventory counts and management, scheduling, interviewing, hiring, training, and P&L. Third, the intangibles: what is their leadership style, what would prior employees say about them, how would they describe themselves as a manager, and why do they love this industry.
Matthew’s Market Perspective
There is rarely a shortage of open restaurant management jobs in Pennsylvania. Every single operator needs hourly employees, and most of them need at least one leader. Large companies are constantly hiring, and many of them want to fill their bench, which is very open-ended for candidates. Watching job boards suggests that it is often the same companies and brands that are consistently posting and accepting applicants for open jobs.
Advice
For employers: Know what you are looking for and what you can offer, have a process but don’t be afraid to adjust it for a strong candidate, and be ready to pull the trigger when someone checks enough boxes.
For candidates: Be serious about your job search. Respond to emails and missed calls from both me and the hiring manager, and treat your search and interviewing as a high priority.
In Matthew’s Words
“Your word and the trust you build in your professional relationships are the only two competitive advantages any recruiter can have.”
Testimonials
“Had a great experience with Gecko Hospitality, especially Matt Bodnar. He was great. We were discussing one job and he pointed me toward another that was a better fit for my experience. He worked with me every step of the way and I landed the job! He’s the best!”
Steven Clemens (Successfully placed candidate)
“Matt will fight for you. He is a genuine and top-notch communicator. If you want a recruiter that’s on your side, he’s the man.”
Joseph Krsul (Successfully placed candidate)
“Matt has been a great help in our hiring and staffing process. He’s done the leg work for finding qualified applicants and been very responsive to see the process through. It’s been a huge benefit for our company with very little risk. Thanks Matt.”
Brad Blankenship, Managing Partner, Fifth & Broad Partners (Satisfied client)
“Working with Gecko Hospitality, and Matt specifically, has been an absolute game-changer for our multi-unit restaurant operations. Their exceptional communication and follow-through throughout the entire hiring process has made finding top-tier management talent seamless and stress-free. Matt and his team serve as a truly valuable extension of our leadership group, consistently delivering the high-caliber candidates we need to keep our restaurants running successfully.”
Jeff Sorg, CEO, Pat Croce and Company (Hotel State College) (Satisfied client)