Our people
General Manager – Shabana Ali
I joined Frankie & Benny’s just over 3 years ago as the General Manager in Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh. My position is consistently challenging, rewarding and fulfilling. Last year the team were rewarded with the Centre of Excellence and we are now responsible for the induction and preparation of our areas future stars. The help and development I have had, and continue to have, has been second to none.
General Manager – David Robertson
I joined The Restaurant Group as an Assistant Manager nearly 2 years ago. It’s amazing that they had the structure and the opportunities to allow me to progress. I was passionate about moving up and they really did open every door they could, to get me to where I am now. I am now a General Manager and I’m able to help my assistants progress up the ladder and give them all of the opportunities I was afforded as a young assistant.
Area Manager, North East Scotland – Danielle Parys
I joined Frankie & Benny’s in 2006 as an Assistant Manager and over the years I have travelled the length of the country meeting new people, facing new challenges and embracing the opportunities presented. I climbed up through the ranks fairly quickly and even got to open a new restaurant as my first General Manager position within TRG. I have been an Area manager with TRG for 6 years, a job that I find challenging yet exciting, dynamic yet consistent but most of all it’s rewarding. I have a great team around me which is the cherry on the top.
Elzbieta Nowacka – Supervisor
Hello, my name is Elzbieta Nowacka but everyone calls me Ela! My sister was working for Frankie and Benny’s and mentioned they were looking for more staff, so I decided to relocate to the UK for a year to see what life was like here, 11 years later I am still working for Frankie & Benny’s!
My journey started in the Newham restaurant as a Kitchen Porter. I learnt how to prepare food, made sure things ran smoothly in the kitchens, and got the opportunity to really improve my English! Then I moved into a chef’s position in Basildon. However, I was really eager to move front of house so, with the help of my manager I progressed onto the floor team and was made server. I built up a great deal of regular guests that would come back on a weekly basis to see me. This gave me a great deal of satisfaction and really increased my confidence.
I continued to take on more responsibilities and worked my way up to a Supervisor, training other members of the team, helping to open new restaurants and rolling out themes around seasonal events like Christmas and Halloween.
Service, standards and menus have changed over the years but I have always felt part of the team and an important member of Frankie and Benny’s.