F&B Dedication
Sarah Murray found her calling at a young age: food and beverage. She waitressed as a teenager, and the interactions with customers spoke to her. “I knew this was the industry I wanted to be a part of,” she says of the fast pace and the connections with diners.
The idea of running her own place ruminated, and in 2012, Murray took the leap and opened Prairie Bell Roadhouse in her native Oklahoma.
“The satisfaction of seeing my vision come to life, building a team, and creating a space where people could enjoy themselves, has been incredible,” she says.
Indeed, being part of the food service industry gave Murray a chance to grow both personally and professionally.
In 2017, she left her business to enter the casino industry as a dealer at River Spirit Casino, and she’s been with the casino’s owner, Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises (MNGE), ever since.
Murray had more to offer, and she wanted to create a better future for her children. “Owning a bar means spending a lot of time there, and I didn’t want to give up that time with my kids. I also went because I knew that the casino had great pay and benefits. I needed to provide them with the security and insurance, and I also wanted to be someone they could look up to later in life.”
Within a few months of her hire, a bar manager position opened, and she got the salaried job. “It turned out to be one of the best decisions I could have made. A salaried role opened up so many opportunities for growth within the company.”
After managing the bar, Murray took responsibility for all food and beverage venues at Muscogee casinos. “I managed operations for five years,” she says. “One of the things I appreciate most about working with MNGE is the ability to transfer between properties, which has allowed me to continue growing my career.”
As a shared service manager, Murray worked with multiple sister properties within the casino organization. The role focuses on managing and coordinating F&B departments at the other sites within MNGE. “This could be from showing them how to break down food costs to ensuring that we are meeting the company’s goals for future growth. By doing so, we can ensure efficiency and cost effectiveness.”
Murray has had many mentors, too many to mention. “They all have played a pivotal role in my care development and taught me so much about the company and the industry,” says Murray, who relaxes by watching her family enjoying life and making memories together. “I am lucky to work with an incredible team, and the support I’ve received from everyone at the C-level has been amazing.”
Back in November, Murray was promoted to procurement manager in charge of all the casinos within the organization. This new role has provided her with even more insight into the inner workings of the company. “I’m eager to take on greater leadership responsibilities in the future,” she says. “I’m excited about the possibility of advancing into a director or general manager role within Muscogee.”
