The Director of Operations is responsible for leading the operational performance of multiple restaurant locations. This role provides strategic leadership to District Managers, Restaurant General Managers, and support teams to drive sales growth, profitability, operational excellence, guest satisfaction, and team engagement while ensuring brand standards are consistently executed.
The Director of Operations partners with executive leadership to develop and execute business strategies that improve financial performance, operational efficiency, and organizational culture.
Essential Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Provide leadership and direction for multiple restaurant locations through District Managers and Restaurant General Managers.
- Ensure consistent execution of brand standards, food quality, cleanliness, speed of service, and hospitality.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement action plans to improve operational performance.
- Conduct regular restaurant visits, operational audits, and business reviews.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives and operational best practices.
Financial Management
- Achieve sales, profit, and EBITDA goals.
- Manage restaurant P&Ls across assigned markets.
- Analyze financial reports to identify opportunities for increased profitability.
- Control labor, food, and operating costs while maintaining guest satisfaction.
- Develop annual budgets and forecast business performance.
Team Leadership
- Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing operational leaders.
- Coach District Managers and General Managers through regular performance reviews and development plans.
- Build leadership succession plans for all key operational positions.
- Foster a culture of accountability, recognition, and continuous learning.
Guest Experience
- Champion an exceptional guest experience across all locations.
- Monitor guest feedback and satisfaction metrics.
- Resolve escalated guest concerns.
- Lead initiatives that improve customer loyalty and brand reputation.
Compliance & Food Safety
- Ensure compliance with all company policies, health department regulations, food safety standards, and labor laws.
- Maintain safe working environments across all restaurants.
- Lead crisis management efforts when operational issues arise.
Strategic Planning
- Execute company initiatives and strategic priorities.
- Partner with Marketing, Human Resources, Training, Finance, and Supply Chain teams.
- Support new restaurant openings, remodels, acquisitions, and market expansions.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational processes and increase efficiency.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Same-store sales growth
- Restaurant profitability
- Labor cost percentage
- Food cost percentage
- Guest satisfaction scores
- Speed of service
- Employee turnover
- Management retention
- Health inspection scores
- Brand compliance scores
- Safety performance
- Training completion metrics
Qualifications
Required
- 8–10+ years of progressive restaurant operations leadership experience
- Minimum 3–5 years leading multiple-unit restaurant operations
- Experience managing District Managers and General Managers
- Strong financial acumen with multi-unit P&L responsibility
- Proven success improving sales and profitability
- Ability to travel throughout assigned markets
Preferred
- Experience with franchised and corporate restaurant operations
- Lean process improvement experience
- Multi-state operational leadership
- Experience supporting new store development
- Bilingual (where applicable)
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Multi-unit restaurant leadership
- Strategic planning and execution
- Financial analysis and budgeting
- Coaching and leadership development
- Performance management
- Change management
- Operational excellence
- Food safety and regulatory compliance
- Labor management
- Conflict resolution
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Proficiency with restaurant management systems and Microsoft Office Suite
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic thinking
- Results-oriented leadership
- Accountability
- Decision-making
- Emotional intelligence
- Team development
- Collaboration
- Adaptability
- Integrity
- Customer focus
- Business acumen
- Continuous improvement mindset
Pay: From $100,000.00 per year
Benefits
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
