Brian Blum, CPC
Franchise Partner
Division: Restaurant
Location: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island
Brian Blum
Franchise Partner, Gecko Hospitality
Restaurant Division | Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island & Vermont
Phone: 617-579-8993 | Email: brian@geckohospitality.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-blum-cpc-76a6484/
Credentials: CPC
About Brian
Brian Blum is a restaurant recruiter with Gecko Hospitality serving the Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont market. Brian’s focus: Restaurant management and chef recruiting; executive search; New England. Restaurant General Manager, Executive Chef and Area Director for corporate and independent restaurant groups.
Background & Experience
Executive Chef, Restaurant General Manager and Area Director for corporate and independent restaurant groups; University of Massachusetts graduate.
Areas of Focus
Positions: Restaurant General Managers; Executive; Executive Chefs; Area Directors; Multi-Unit Leaders; Directors of Operations
Markets served: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont.
How Brian Evaluates Talent
I assess background and operational expertise first (for example, P&L management for a GM or food cost control for an executive chef), asking candidates to explain specific transitions, gaps, or achievements listed on their resume. I look closely at emotional intelligence and leadership: self-awareness, empathy, conflict resolution, and the ability to handle high-pressure hospitality environments, such as de-escalating a guest issue, managing back-of-house and front-of-house tension, or coaching underperforming staff. Finally, I focus on future alignment, trying to uncover a candidate’s true motivations, career trajectory, and the specific culture and ownership structure they need to thrive and stay long term.
Brian’s Market Perspective
The New England hospitality market is heating up in 2026, and the competition for top executive and culinary talent is fierce. A persistent shortage of experienced operators is pushing demand through the roof, with owners zeroing in on General Managers and Executive Chefs who can balance employee development with financial acumen to protect operating margins. To attract this caliber of talent, employers are raising the bar: compensation packages are climbing, and workplace culture has gone from a nice-to-have to a genuine deal-breaker for candidates. A LinkedIn job posting alone is not going to cut it.
Advice
For employers: Before we kick off the search, get clear on the specific operational challenges you need this leader to solve, and lock in a competitive compensation package. The best candidates won’t wait around.
For candidates: Come prepared to move beyond your resume by sharing concrete metrics that demonstrate exactly how your leadership improved bottom-line profitability and team retention.
In Brian’s Words
“People work for people, not companies.”
Testimonials
“I highly recommend Brian as a recruiter and a business partner. He is ethical and fair and a pleasure to work with always. Brian has been keenly interested in providing me the highest quality management candidates for the four to five years we have worked together. I can trust Brian to maintain the standards we have set for our management applicants, and he cares a lot about making his clients happy.”
Karen Haberl, Vice President, Human Resources (Client)
“I hired Brian to find a GM for one of my businesses. His knowledge of the local market was unsurpassed. Further, he was very fair and reasoned in his contract terms and delivery of services. I will hire him again.”
Ryan Jones, Cofounder and CEO, Florence Healthcare (Client)
Brian Blum, CPC
Franchise Partner
Division: Restaurant
Location: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island
Brian Blum
Franchise Partner, Gecko Hospitality
Restaurant Division | Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island & Vermont
Phone: 617-579-8993 | Email: brian@geckohospitality.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-blum-cpc-76a6484/
Credentials: CPC
About Brian
Brian Blum is a restaurant recruiter with Gecko Hospitality serving the Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont market. Brian’s focus: Restaurant management and chef recruiting; executive search; New England. Restaurant General Manager, Executive Chef and Area Director for corporate and independent restaurant groups.
Background & Experience
Executive Chef, Restaurant General Manager and Area Director for corporate and independent restaurant groups; University of Massachusetts graduate.
Areas of Focus
Positions: Restaurant General Managers; Executive; Executive Chefs; Area Directors; Multi-Unit Leaders; Directors of Operations
Markets served: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont.
How Brian Evaluates Talent
I assess background and operational expertise first (for example, P&L management for a GM or food cost control for an executive chef), asking candidates to explain specific transitions, gaps, or achievements listed on their resume. I look closely at emotional intelligence and leadership: self-awareness, empathy, conflict resolution, and the ability to handle high-pressure hospitality environments, such as de-escalating a guest issue, managing back-of-house and front-of-house tension, or coaching underperforming staff. Finally, I focus on future alignment, trying to uncover a candidate’s true motivations, career trajectory, and the specific culture and ownership structure they need to thrive and stay long term.
Brian’s Market Perspective
The New England hospitality market is heating up in 2026, and the competition for top executive and culinary talent is fierce. A persistent shortage of experienced operators is pushing demand through the roof, with owners zeroing in on General Managers and Executive Chefs who can balance employee development with financial acumen to protect operating margins. To attract this caliber of talent, employers are raising the bar: compensation packages are climbing, and workplace culture has gone from a nice-to-have to a genuine deal-breaker for candidates. A LinkedIn job posting alone is not going to cut it.
Advice
For employers: Before we kick off the search, get clear on the specific operational challenges you need this leader to solve, and lock in a competitive compensation package. The best candidates won’t wait around.
For candidates: Come prepared to move beyond your resume by sharing concrete metrics that demonstrate exactly how your leadership improved bottom-line profitability and team retention.
In Brian’s Words
“People work for people, not companies.”
Testimonials
“I highly recommend Brian as a recruiter and a business partner. He is ethical and fair and a pleasure to work with always. Brian has been keenly interested in providing me the highest quality management candidates for the four to five years we have worked together. I can trust Brian to maintain the standards we have set for our management applicants, and he cares a lot about making his clients happy.”
Karen Haberl, Vice President, Human Resources (Client)
“I hired Brian to find a GM for one of my businesses. His knowledge of the local market was unsurpassed. Further, he was very fair and reasoned in his contract terms and delivery of services. I will hire him again.”
Ryan Jones, Cofounder and CEO, Florence Healthcare (Client)