Manuel Mendoza

Manuel Mendoza began his hospitality journey at the age of 16, washing dishes in his family’s restaurant before progressively working his way through nearly every front-of-house position in the industry. That early foundation instilled in him a deep appreciation for hospitality, teamwork, and the importance of creating memorable guest experiences.

With more than 10 years of restaurant leadership experience throughout the Washington, D.C. market, Manuel has developed a strong reputation for operational excellence, team development, and guest-focused leadership. Prior to joining MINA Group, he served as a General Manager with KNEAD Hospitality + Design, where he helped open and lead multiple restaurant concepts within the group, playing a key role in team development, operational execution, and establishing strong service cultures. Most recently, he served as a Manager at Fiola Mare, part of Fabio Trabocchi Restaurants, where he further refined his fine dining experience and passion for elevated hospitality standards.

Known for his calm leadership style and hands-on approach, Manuel is passionate about building strong restaurant cultures, mentoring teams, and delivering exceptional guest experiences. Fluent in both English and Spanish, he brings a people-first mentality and a deep commitment to excellence.