Joe Tavormina´s career in commercial real estate began in the New York City Metropolitan area in 1980 at Kentucky Fried Chicken as a Real Estate Representative selecting sites for both drive-thru prototypical free standing locations and urban in line sites in the borough of Manhattan. After completing his MBA in Real Estate at CUNY Baruch College, he spent ten years in the Northeast as Real Estate Director with Marriott Corporation (Roy Rogers & Casa Maria), Chi Chi’s Mexican Restaurants, and Cineplex Odeon Cinemas. His work in all aspects of market and trade area planning led to the rapid growth of those brands.

In 1990 Joe relocated to southern California accepting a position as Senior Director of Development with Acapulco Mexican Restaurants (COMPASS/Patina Group). He participated in Strategic Planning, Brand and Product Development, with the Directors of Construction, Design, Purchasing, Facilities Management, and Lease Administration reporting to him. Joe oversaw all aspects of the expansion of the Acapulco and El Paso Cantina Brands throughout the Western US. In 1994 Joe accepted a position with Prandium Inc. (formerly Grace Restaurant Group then Family Restaurants Inc.). As Director of Real Estate Development, he oversaw the expansion of Co Co’s/Carrow’s, El Torito, Keystone Grill, ET Express, Chi Chi’s and Koo Koo Roo throughout the entire U.S, and assisted in the development and implementation of international franchising for the El Torito Mexican Restaurant Brand.

In 2000, Joe founded his own company, CONVIVIA Inc. and formed a strategic alliance with Retail Net Lease Properties (a retail commercial real estate brokerage firm) in El Segundo, CA. Joe provided brokerage and consulting services to both landlords and tenants. Some of his Landlord clients included Continental Development (Manhattan Beach CA), RREEF, and Madison Marquette. Past and present tenant clients include Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Seasons 52), Il Fornaio, Elephant Bar Restaurants, Mimi’s Café, Prandium Inc. (El Torito Express & Koo Koo Roo), The Counter Burger, Tender Greens, Boston’s Pizza, Lazy Dog Café, Paul Martin’s American Bistro (Paul Fleming Concept), Pyramid Alehouse, Pat & Oscars, Baja Fresh and Wendy’s Hamburgers.

In September 2006 Darden engaged Joe/CONVIVIA as a consultant to oversee development of the Red Lobster and Olive Garden Brands in the Western US. In February 2007 Darden offered Joe the in house position of Director of Real Estate Development for the Western U.S. where he remained until March 2011 to return to brokerage and consulting. Joe continued on to provide consulting services for Darden overseeing Olive Garden expansion in the state of Alaska. Olive Garden is currently under construction at Tikahtnu Commons in Anchorage and plans to Open in February 2012.

In May of 2011 Joe and CONVIVIA INC. joined with Kyle Kavanaugh at MAIN & MAIN INC. providing brokerage and consulting services to retail/restaurant chains and property owners nationwide. His Main & Main client accounts include DJM Realty, Craftworks (Gordon Biersch/Old Chicago), Kona Grill, Pitfire Pizza (NorCal), Chick Fil-A, and House of Chicken & Waffles.