Local Entrepreneur Jumpstarts Northeast Texas Job Market

John Carlson Puts Northeast Texas’ Hospitality Professionals to Work

ARLINGTON, Texas – Patrice & Associates, the nation’s leading hospitality industry employment search firm with more than 20 years of operations behind it, announced today the recent opening of its office in Arlington, Texas. The new office is located at 4800 Willow Bend Court and will serve the Northeast Texas region.

“I am thrilled to be working with local restaurants, hotels and other area hospitality businesses to fill their open management positions and make a positive impact on their operations,” said John Carlson. “As an entrepreneur, it is extremely exciting to be part of the Patrice & Associates family, utilizing the company’s proven business model and hospitality industry experience to help local businesses find top local management talent to deliver the best service possible to their customers.”

With the number of foodservice managers expected to increase 11 percent from 2005 to 2015, Patrice & Associates’ work in the restaurant industry is a prime example of the strength of the local hospitality segment. On average, three quarters of local residents eat out or order in at least once a week and a quarter at least every two or three days. Thus, restaurants provide a stable ground from which Carlson’s Patrice & Associates office is building its presence across the area. Several well-known brands such as Cracker Barrel, Fox and Hound, and Boudreaux’s Cajun Seafood Kitchen have hired the search firm to find top talent for their management positions, allowing company personnel to focus on operating their stores.

“Unlike other sectors, the sheer volume of the hospitality industry continues to create exciting employment and new business ownership opportunities,” said Carlson. “There are tremendous job advancement possibilities and career options available.”

Before opening his Patrice & Associates office, Carlson spent more than 50 years in the hospitality industry. He began his career working in restaurants in a variety of roles including owner, manager and district manager. Later in life, Carlson worked with the Army Air Force Exchange Service opening restaurants on military bases across the world. Carlson spent six months in Afghanistan where he managed the openings of a Subway, two Dairy Queens and a Pizza Hut. Carlson also traveled to Okinawa, Japan and opened the first Dunkin Donuts and Captain D’s Seafood Restaurant in the country on a Marine base. After building these brands overseas, Carlson retired early and spent six months hiking the Appalachian trail. During his hike, he decided he wanted to come out of retirement to help the next generation of restaurant managers.

Carlson’s new office in Arlington is part of the Patrice & Associates national growth plan. Since launching the company’s franchise program less than a year ago, the company has opened more than 30 offices nationwide.

Patrice Rice, founder of Patrice & Associates and the acclaimed author of How to Interview, started Patrice & Associates two decades ago following her success with Chesapeake Cruising, a charter boat company she launched and grew to a fleet of 26 vessels. “Our clients trust us to present them with the best candidates possible for their openings,” said Rice. “It’s tough out there right now for businesses and for professionals. The job search process can be a stressful, daunting task. We ease the burden for everyone involved.”

Patrice & Associates provides extensive support for its franchisees, who are referred to as Regional Recruiting Managers. The company sources new clients and conducts all billing and collections efforts on behalf of its franchise system. As a result, the Regional Recruiting Managers are better able to provide the right guidance to their clients and to place the best possible candidates for each opening. The franchise opportunity is ideal for first-time business owners, given the existing client base, low ramp-up time and extensive training.