Ed Rensi is destroying a fantastic brand and company - Manager Famous Dave's Employee Review

1.0
Aug 4, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I have loved my job and was proud of the brand I sold. Use to have great bonus and felt secure with this company. Sales were great and the rewards and security was amazing. Notice I say "was!"

Cons

The new CEO Ed Resni has forced 90% of the corporate staff who have been with this company over 15 years out, Director of operations fired, COO forced to resign after 16 years with the company, forced area directors and even Dave Anderson himself our of the company. He rearranged the bonus plan making it almost impossible to bonus forcing many managers to quit because our salaries are lower based on the old bonus plan. Without that we are struggling. He is taking away everything that has made Famous Dave's Famous. Sales all across the company have dropped. Stocks have fallen. He has destroyed morale and considering this company's average manager has 10 or more years with Dave's, this is devastating to this company. He wants to take slow smoked BBQ and turn it into an assembly line. He wants this company to be like a Chipolte rather than a family friendly casual dining restaurant. This use to be a company who cared about their employees, but no more. Based out of Minnesota, he is slowly changing and basing the company out of Chicago, recruiting all yes men who are afraid to speak up and firing anyone who has an opinion different than his. Not exactly the company you want to work for.

Explore other reviews about Famous Dave's

5.0
May 22, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Served great food. Fun place to work

Cons

Smell gets to be too much.

3.0
Jun 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible hours, evenings and weekends to work around f/t day job, variety, fairly easy. Earn tips. Not as much as a server, but helpful considering the wage.

Cons

One of the managers in particular has a fragile ego/insecurities and tends to go on power trips. He takes out his mood on employees. There are also favorites, and if you are not one of them he does not treat you well. Yelling, condescension, snide comments, etc. Some employees have worked there for MANY years and still make the same wage they did when they were hired. Experience, leadership & training needs to be recognized and rewarded.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All