Director of Operations - Restaurant

Position Summary

Our client is seeking a Director of Operations to oversee the performance, profitability, and operational execution of a growing multi-unit restaurant organization. Reporting to the Vice President of Operations or Chief Operating Officer, this leader will be responsible for driving restaurant excellence across multiple locations while developing field leadership and preparing the business for continued expansion.

The Director of Operations will lead a team of District Managers and General Managers to deliver exceptional guest experiences, improve financial performance, develop talent, and ensure consistent execution of brand standards.

This role requires a hands-on, servant leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and has a proven track record of improving restaurant operations, building high-performing teams, and scaling multi-unit organizations.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Leadership

• Lead operational performance across an assigned region consisting of multiple District Managers and restaurant locations.
• Drive consistent execution of company standards related to food quality, hospitality, cleanliness, and operational excellence.
• Ensure restaurants consistently achieve key performance metrics including sales, profitability, labor, food cost, guest satisfaction, and operational compliance.
• Conduct regular restaurant visits to coach, evaluate, and support field leadership.

Financial Performance

• Own regional P&L performance, including sales growth, labor management, food and beverage costs, controllable expenses, and EBITDA.
• Identify operational opportunities to improve restaurant profitability and drive sustainable financial performance.
• Partner with Finance to develop annual operating plans, budgets, and performance forecasts.
• Hold field leadership accountable for financial results and operational execution.

Talent Development

• Recruit, develop, and retain top-performing District Managers, General Managers, and future operational leaders.
• Build leadership succession plans across the organization.
• Provide coaching, performance management, and career development for field leadership.
• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.

Guest Experience

• Champion an exceptional guest experience by ensuring restaurants consistently deliver outstanding hospitality.
• Monitor guest feedback, online reviews, and customer satisfaction metrics.
• Implement action plans that improve guest loyalty and brand reputation.

New Restaurant Growth

• Support new restaurant openings, acquisitions, and operational integrations.
• Partner with Construction, Training, Marketing, and Human Resources to ensure successful restaurant launches.
• Develop operational infrastructure capable of supporting continued unit growth.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with Marketing, Culinary, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Training, and Finance to drive business initiatives.
• Support the implementation of new menu launches, technology platforms, operational processes, and company initiatives.
• Communicate organizational priorities while ensuring operational alignment across the field.

Operational Excellence

• Analyze restaurant performance through KPIs and operational reporting.
• Identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for operational improvement.
• Drive labor productivity, speed of service, food safety, inventory controls, and execution consistency.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, health regulations, and food safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 8+ years of multi-unit restaurant operations experience.
• Minimum 3 years leading District Managers or equivalent field leadership.
• Experience managing 25+ restaurant locations preferred.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing regional P&Ls.
• Demonstrated success improving restaurant performance in a high-growth environment.
• Experience within a franchised restaurant organization preferred.
• Willingness to travel extensively throughout the assigned region.