The Cimmarusti Story!

By Larry and Ralph Cimmarusti
The Glendale, California -based business started with an Italian Deli located in Starry Hollywood 35 years ago. Today, the company is one of the larger Burger King operations worldwide boasting annual sales near $55 million dollars. According to the Restaurant Monitor rankings, the Company rates as one of the top 100 largest restaurant franchisees in the country. The Cimmarusti brothers, Larry and Ralph, grew up in Los Angeles, graduated from Eagle Rock High and Glendale College. The brothers own 100% of the company and its related affiliates. "As you grow you don't realize how big you are," said Larry, whose Company now operates 52 Burger Kings and 14 Original Roadhouse Grill restaurants.

The Start of Success

The restaurant business began shortly after high school and junior college with an Italian Deli in Hollywood, CA. The first restaurant was actually an open-fronted Hollywood vegetable market purchased for $5,000 that was converted into an Italian Deli. Frequented by the stars that lived in the Hollywood Hills, the deli thrived and provided an exciting start into the restaurant world. Danger loomed when Burger King decided to open a restaurant next door to the deli. In those days, Burger King had very little penetration in Southern California. Ralph had to travel to the closest unit, in Marina Del Rey, just to try a Whopper. "I knew immediately that they [Burger King] would run us out of business," Ralph recalled. The choice seemed clear: sell the Italian Deli and buy a Burger King. Unfortunately, the only Burger King up for sale was out in then-sleepy Simi Valley and this unit was operated very poorly. After Larry and Ralph purchased the restaurant, they realized that the first years were going to be a struggle. "People came to the drive-through window on horses. I would put Burger King Crowns on their heads and Ralph would shovel up from behind them," Larry said. It was from this humble start that the Cimmarusti learned the importance of community involvement. The brothers worked diligently to promote the business. As an example, during the gas crisis, Ralph and Larry would walk over to the gas station near the Burger King and give free sodas to customers waiting in line for gas. They hosted baby contests, teen beauty contests and many sporting events, and celebrity basketball games at the local high school. The Simi Valley Burger King turned around, and Burger King Corporation noticed the efforts of their work. Soon another troubled store was up for sale in Los Angeles.

 

Community

After all the success during the Company quarter-century in restaurant operations, "It is very important to give back to our community," notes Larry Cimmarusti. The brothers remembered their roots in Simi Valley and were key contributors to the Ronald Reagan Library. At its opening, the Cimmarusti helped cater the event, serving meals to the five U.S. Presidents in attendance. The names of Lawrence and Ralph Cimmarusti appear proudly engraved in one of the more prominent locations at the library.
In 2008, the Los Angeles community suffered a shocking loss when police officer Randal Simmons was slain on duty in the early hours of Thursday, February 7, 2008 when he and his SWAT team members responded to a call of and armed suspect barricaded inside a residence. Mr. Simmons was the LADP's first SWAT officer to die in the line of duty since the unit was formed in 1967. He had been with the elite unit for 20 years and was the group's second -highest ranking member. The Burger King owned by Larry and Ralph Cimmarusti at the corner of West Cesar Chavez Avenue and Grand Avenue opened its doors to raise funds for the LAPD family once again. In the end, over $100,000 was raised for the Simmons family. Officer Simmons was survived by his wife and two children.
These are selected examples of many areas of community involvement sponsored by the brothers

TRaining
The Cimmarustis recognize that well-trained employees are the foundation of every company´s success. Effective employees, coupled with a good dining experience, will help bring customers back again and again. That´s why we never forget one of the company´s primary goals: Guest Satisfaction. Both management and hourly employees undergo special training programs which have been developed by our professional staff. All management personnel are trained at designated training stores in each state. Hourly employees undergo training at their own work site. Also, some hourly employees receive certification so that they, in turn, can train new employees as they are hired. All employees have the opportunity to attend sales, service and customer relations seminars to sharpen their skills. Special programs are developed for Restaurant Managers and Assistant Managers as well.

We develop and implement all the training programs, materials and procedures we use. We believe that, thanks to careful training on actual sites by seasoned professionals, our new employees will find their stress level reduced. With relaxed, comfortable employees serving them, our customers benefit, too.

Marketing
Our Marketing Department plays a continuing role in this success.
To stay on top of industry trends and keep our marketing efforts on track, both our Marketing Director and owner Ralph Cimmarusti take an active part in the Southern California Franchise Association and Tony Roma´s Cooperative Marketing Committee.
In the Burger King Southern California Franchise Association, the Cimmarustis have been a strong proponent of the Value Meal strategy, ease of ordering, and menu simplification. From there we have built point-of-purchase materials that promote these marketing messages.
Throughout the fast-food and specialty restaurant fields, our restaurants are known for their consistently high-quality, value-priced food and excellent service. They stand apart from the crowd, and we don´t hesitate to point this out in our marketing materials.
On another front, the Cimmarustis support numerous charitable organizations and events in the communities we serve. We are especially committed to giving support to the field of education.

Linda Bryant
Vice President, ORG Operations

Linda Bryant is a veteran of the Romacorp-owned Tony Roma�s system since 1981. During her tenure with Romacorp, she held a variety of posts in operations and training before moving into the Director of Human Resources position. Bryant gained valuable experience working with the franchise system as a result of supervising the openings of over 50 Tony Roma�s restaurants, both domestic and international.
After a long professional relationship with the organization, Bryant joined the company in 1998. It was only natural for Bryant to bring her expertise in casual dining to assist in the growth plans for the Tony Roma�s. A native of Ohio, Bryant earned her bachelor�s degree in Liberal Arts at the University of Cincinnati. Prior to her entry in the hospitality industry she gained experience in the financial markets as a stockbroker and money market manager.

Tammy Stagner
Senior Director of Human Resources

With over 25 years of Human Resources experience, Tammy Stagner joined the company in 1996 as the Director of Human Resources. Tammy began her career in Human Resources in Tennessee and in 1982 relocated to Southern California to join Burger King Corporation as the Human Resources Manager for the West Coast Regional office. In her current position, Tammy is responsible for all aspects of Human Resources for over 2,500 employees. Tammy works closely with the Operations staff to ensure legal compliance in all areas, managing the recruiting and hiring of restaurant management and office personnel, employee relations, compensation, benefits and training functions.

Steve Miller
Director of Accounting

Eric Peterson
Director of L&R Construction

Steven M
Director of Lucia Development

 

Bari Management

3061 Riverside Drive

Los Angeles, CA 90039

Bari Management is so much more than just a job. It is a place where you can be creative and work with other intelligent, talented and motivated people.

Culture
We have constant respect and trust in one another. We operate with uncompromising honesty and integrity. We believe in open communication, delegate ownership and authority, we learn a lot and teach a lot. We are like family, everyone shares in the rewards.

Benefits
Bari Management provides a competitive benefits package which includes:

• Competitive Salaries
• Medical and Dental
• 401(K)
• Vacation and Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays

Applying at Bari Management
When you are ready to take the next step, you can e-mail your resume to jobs@barimgmt.com .

Employment Practices
Bari Management hires qualified candidates who are authorized to work in the U.S., that is, authorized to work without restrictions as to a particular employer. This includes U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, temporary residents granted legalization under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, asylees, and refugees.  At Bari Management, we are committed to equal employment opportunity. We respect and value diversity in our workforce.

Note to Employment Agencies
Please do not forward agency resumes. Bari Management is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.