Director of Operations - Restaurant

leapbrands; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

leapbrands is seeking a Director of Operations to lead multiple full-service restaurant locations. This hands-on role requires coaching leaders, driving profitability, and delivering exceptional guest experiences across the portfolio.

You will oversee operational performance, analyze P&L metrics, and partner with HR, Marketing, Culinary, Finance, and Training to execute strategic initiatives. Travel between locations is required to maintain standards and drive growth.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of multi-unit leadership experience in full-service restaurants.
• Experience overseeing multiple locations with responsibility for financial performance.
• Strong understanding of restaurant P&Ls and key operating metrics.
• Proven ability to develop General Managers into high-performing leaders.
• Experience leading high-volume restaurant operations.
• Excellent communication and coaching skills.
• Strong business acumen balancing hospitality and profitability.
• Willingness to travel extensively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational performance of multiple full-service restaurant locations.
• Coach, mentor, and develop General Managers and Area Leaders.
• Drive sales growth while improving restaurant profitability and EBITDA.
• Analyze P&L statements and identify opportunities to improve labor, food cost, and operating expenses.
• Ensure every restaurant consistently delivers an exceptional guest experience.
• Maintain high standards for food quality, cleanliness, service, and hospitality.
• Develop action plans for underperforming restaurants and hold leadership teams accountable for results.
• Recruit, train, and retain high-performing operational leaders.
• Partner with HR on hiring, employee relations, and succession planning.
• Work closely with Marketing, Culinary, Finance, and Training to execute company initiatives.
• Monitor KPIs including sales, labor, food cost, guest satisfaction, turnover, and safety metrics.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and company operating standards.
• Travel regularly between restaurant locations.

Job description

We are looking for a Director of Operations who knows what great restaurant operations look like and has the leadership skills to build them at scale. This isn't a corporate desk job. We're looking for a hands-on operator who enjoys being in the restaurants, coaching leaders, improving financial performance, and creating an exceptional guest experience.

The Director of Operations will oversee multiple full-service restaurant locations and partner with General Managers to drive sales, profitability, operational excellence, and team development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational performance of multiple full-service restaurant locations.
• Coach, mentor, and develop General Managers and Area Leaders.
• Drive sales growth while improving restaurant profitability and EBITDA.
• Analyze P&L statements and identify opportunities to improve labor, food cost, and operating expenses.
• Ensure every restaurant consistently delivers an exceptional guest experience.
• Maintain high standards for food quality, cleanliness, service, and hospitality.
• Develop action plans for underperforming restaurants and hold leadership teams accountable for results.
• Recruit, train, and retain high-performing operational leaders.
• Partner with HR on hiring, employee relations, and succession planning.
• Work closely with Marketing, Culinary, Finance, and Training to execute company initiatives.
• Monitor KPIs including sales, labor, food cost, guest satisfaction, turnover, and safety metrics.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and company operating standards.
• Travel regularly between restaurant locations.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of multi-unit leadership experience in full-service restaurants.
• Experience overseeing multiple restaurant locations with responsibility for financial performance.
• Strong understanding of restaurant P&Ls and key operating metrics.
• Proven ability to develop General Managers into high-performing leaders.
• Experience leading high-volume restaurant operations.
• Excellent communication and coaching skills.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance hospitality and profitability.
• Willingness to travel extensively.

Preferred Experience

• Casual dining, polished casual, upscale casual, or family dining experience.
• Experience with 8–20+ restaurant locations.
• Background working with private equity-backed or growth-oriented restaurant companies.
• Experience leading new restaurant openings, remodels, or operational turnarounds.