Name: Amaryllis Padilla
City: St. Paul, MN
Job: Certified Training Manager at Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc.
How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been at Arby’s for 20 years now – starting as a team member behind the counter, where I’m proud to still work today.
Not long after I graduated high school, I worked at a grocery store across the street from an Arby’s. One day, I went there for lunch and absolutely loved the food and the entire. I knew, at that moment, that’s where I wanted to work.
I interviewed shortly after that for an open position and was hired as a part-time team member, working the cash register, drive-thru and backline and was promoted to 2nd Assistant in less than a year. A year after that, I was promoted to 1st assistant and helped open another franchise nearby.
Not long after the new location opened, I was asked if I wanted to be the General Manager. At first I was a bit intimidated. This was an incredible responsibility and I wasn’t sure I was ready. But I recognized that it was an opportunity for me, and took it.
Now, after years of being GM, I serve as a Certified Training Manager, training new employees on the skills I learned here years ago: cooking, cleaning, leadership, determination, perserverance and many more.
What have you learned from your experiences in the restaurant industry?
I’ve learned that through hard work and commitment, you can achieve anything. I went from working behind the register to a General Manager in just a matter of years through all the skills I learned, and opportunity I found, in a restaurant.
I was able to achieve the American Dream at Arby’s by surrounding myself with people who shared my ambition to succeed. The leadership at Arby’s have always been very good to me, always showing respect and encouragement. They pushed me to succeed and go after my dreams, even when I wasn’t sure I could do it. I am forever grateful that Arby’s believes in me and has given me the tools and resources to be successful and has helped me achieve the American Dream.
