Earl Mells III Portfolio
 
 

objective

summary of qualifications

Versed in architectural design and conversant with relevant disciplines, such as structural design, lighting design, detailing, etc. Designed and/or supported the design of various types of buildings currently constructed and operational with an emphasis in restaurant and food service design. Accustomed to working within a team including Franchisees, Construction Managers, Real Estate Managers, and Architects to achieve optimum results.

 

Experience

tropical smoothie cafe

design manager

March 2018- Present

  • Currently half of the Design Team at Tropical Smoothie Café (TSC), overseeing, alongside Senior Design Manager, all design related portions of the construction process for TSC with about 120 stores a year built since tenure.

  • Works directly with Franchisee, site adapt Architects, Real Estate professionals, Operations Managers, and Construction Manager throughout construction process regarding equipment and dining room layouts, elevation and store design.

  • Works with equipment vendors concerning standard Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment specifications maintenance, innovation, and updates.

  • Prototype maintenance and innovation for continued prototype improvements and modernization.

  • Participated as a member of a team pursuing studies in 3rd Party/Walk-up concepts for future Prototype Development.

  • Elevation/Exterior Design standards maintenance and improvements studies; conducted with VP of Design and Construction.

  • Participated as Design Lead of cross-functional planning team for 2018 and 2019 company wide TSC Franchisee Convention: designed complete convention floor plan and specified food prep equipment with operations & culinary team.

Popeyes louisiana kitchen,

Regional design manager

October 2011 - january 2018

  • Responsible for all Design related items in Midwest to West USA, ranging from California to Ohio down to Arizona.

  • Since 2011, assisted with and completed at least 1000+ architectural projects (including revisions), including floor plans, site plans, revised plans, and renderings for new store location development & maintenance.

  • Hired as contractor, promoted to CAD Specialist in 2 years, then promoted to Design Manager in 3 years.

  • Cross-functional design work and problem-solving with Franchisees, Real Estate Managers, Construction Managers, and Operations Team Members in feasibility studies, site studies, and creation of new store builds and conversions.

  • Elevation design of domestic and international Popeyes remodels, renovations, and conversions of buildings from former brands.

  • Maintenance & updating of various Popeyes prototypes, ranging from 28-seat through 80-seat store prototypes.

  • Prototypical studies conducted with team for creating High Production (HP) prototype & retrofitting older Popeyes buildings to HP standards due to increased Average Unit Value; used for reimage program across Popeyes system.

  • Design improvement studies conducted with Operations and Design Team, specifically including Dual Drive-Thru, App-Order station, Pilot store feasibility study in New York, and Operations instructional materials (regarding store operational standards) created for presentation at Popeyes’ annual International Franchisee conference.

  • Active participation with cross-function team regarding reimage standards, alongside creation of a Popeyes Standards Reimage Guidebook, used by many franchisees for reimaging stores.

  • Worked with multi-functional team in implementing digital menuboards in Firepower brand initiative- creation and implementation of pertinent details in prototypical design plans.

  • Active member of Popeyes Emerging Leadership Forum, an internal organization that develops new/younger employees and interns at Popeyes and seeks to connect them to Senior team members.

  • 2012 Participation in ProStart®, a high school program that unites the classroom and the foodservice industry.

 

baycrest corporation

business development

april 2008-march 2010

  • Created architectural presentations and conducted feasibility studies for business proposals to aid in job procurement: these helped with such successes with Baycrest as- winning $15 million job (Florida A&M University (FAMU) Gore Educational Center) with architectural study and $50 million job (FAMU Tucker Hall Renovation).

  • Pre-contracted quantitative analysis of architectural plans.

  • Creating proposals for potential clients after being shortlisted.

 

interplan atlanta llc,

cad technician/intern

summer 2006, summer 2007

  • Creating construction documents based on prototypes (mainly restaurants such as Chik-Fil-A with some retail) and revision of redlines given on construction documents.

  • Designed rooftop eating area at Fado Irish Pub in Atlanta, Ga (constructed).

  • Designing of details, elevations and plans, writing construction notes, and appropriate research.

  • Handling invoices, shipments, and deliveries to clients.

 

addtional Interests

graphic design
community service/church activities
biking, swimming, weight lifting

 

Education

florida a & M university, tallahassee, fl

Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Architecture

2007- Magna Cum Laude

Professional Bachelor of Architecture

2008- Magna Cum Laude

skills

AutoCAD, Adobe CC (Sketchup, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere, After Effects, Illustrator), Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Lucernex, Photo Editing, Internet Research and Autodesk Revit Architecture

Contact

Email: earl.mells@gmail.com
Phone: 404.314.7945
Address: 506 chappell rd nw, atlanta, ga 30318