Chris Defrain, Cpa Email & Phone Number

Emmaus, Pennsylvania, United States

Growth Consulting Services (Chris DeFrain Consulting LLC), Emmaus, PA • December 2022 - PresentProvide part-time CFO services to privately held businesses in need of financial leadership. Services include financial strategy development, cash flow optimization, and profitability analysis. Specialize in working with companies looking to scale, streamline their financial operations, and improve cost-efficiency.

Emmaus

I work with six other Emmaus Borough Council members, our Borough Manager and our Mayor to plan and execute on the direction of the Borough. We are fortunate to have a great Police Department, Ambulance Department, Fire Department, Administrative Team and Public Works Team. I am currently the Borough Council Vice President and head of the Budget and Finance Committee. I am also a part of the General Administration Committee and the Public Safety Committee. It is an honor to represent the residents of the borough that I live in.

Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States

Red Robin (Lehigh Valley Restaurant Group, Allentown, PA • June 2009 – December 2022Vice President of Strategic Planning & Business Development (October 2020 – December 2022)I spearheaded growth for $70MM restaurant group, collaborating directly with CEO and Board of Directors to develop strategic business plans. Key accomplishments include:Strategic Business Growth & Expert Financial Advice:• Instrumental to 50% revenue growth in 13 years for $70MM restaurant group, expanding from 17 to 21 restaurants, and delivering guidance to organization with 2100 team members. • Formed Talon Restaurants LLC as VP of Strategic Planning/Business Development, negotiating area development agreement to build 15 Wingstop restaurants. They successfully opened three restaurants by December 2022.

Allentown, Pennsylvania Area

Red Robin (Lehigh Valley Restaurant Group, Allentown, PA • June 2009 – December 2022Chief Financial Officer | CFO (March 2010 – October 2020)I spearheaded growth for $70MM restaurant group, collaborating directly with CEO & Board of Directors to develop strategic business plans. Key accomplishments include:Strategic Business Growth & Expert Financial Advice:• Instrumental to 50% revenue growth in 13 years for $70MM restaurant group, expanding from 17 to 21 restaurants, & delivering guidance to organization with 2100 team members. Demonstrated Leadership & Coaching Skills:• Overhauled accounting organization, automating processes as necessary, identifying & promoting key talent into leadership roles, establishing decision-making framework, & introducing training programs.• Prioritized executive development programs, developing Staff Accountant into CFO role, helping her to succeed in COVID challenges, enabling her to join Executive team, & inviting her to all Board meetings.• Delivered trusted leadership to organization after Founder/President passed away (within 7 months of start at company), guiding Board & Executive team through strategic planning through “The Great Recession.”Best-in-Class Industry Standards & Process Improvements:• Introduced Ziosk pay-at-table devices across all restaurants in 2012, reducing customer & server complaints, and setting industry trend in utilizing technology to improve customer experience.Cross-Functional Team Leadership:• Drove IT/technology improvements including automating manual tasks, NoWait App on iPad, Help Desk tool for issues tracking, state-of-the-art Aloha POS system, enterprise reporting tool delivering reports from POS, and NBO (NCR) cloud-based inventory management systems.• Partnered with HR to improve systems and programs, introducing 401(k) program with corporate match and saving $450K over 3 years by moving from a fully-insured health insurance program to a self-funded health insurance program.

Alburtis, Pa

Fiscal consulting for the Borough of Alburtis. Reviewed financial information and made recommendations to Borough Council and the Borough Manager.

Buckno Lisicky & Company, Allentown, PA • 1998 – May 2009CPA | Partner | ShareholderI was promoted through the ranks from a paraprofessional to a Shareholder role, identifying potential clients and delivering leadership in client relations, P&L analysis, tax planning and preparation, and business consulting. Key accomplishments include:• Introduced new beginning-to-end internal department, offering wide range of services including financial statements, check writing, bookkeeping, and Corporate, Partnership, and Personal Tax Returns.• Built collaborative relationships with key clients including McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Subway franchisees.• Created successful accounting and bookkeeping package focused on quick-service restaurants.• Sparked and supported firm growth through technology, introducing an accounting and bookkeeping package, automating Excel files, and developing training programs to upskill paraprofessional team.• Optimized relationships between paraprofessionals and clients, matching personalities to ensure fit.• Elevated client strategic planning and decision-making processes through benchmarking reports.

I worked construction for Semmel Excavating and Engleman's Concrete before going back to College to get my Bachelors degree.

Bachelors, Business / Accounting

Attended Muhlenberg College at night and on weekends while working full-time at a CPA Firm.

Education record