Kitchen Director in Training

Chick-fil-A; Toledo (OH); On-site; USD 44,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Chick-fil-A Toledo is seeking a Kitchen Director in Training to develop into a Kitchen Director by leading a high-performing kitchen team and delivering exceptional guest experiences.

This hands-on leadership development role requires strong people development, operations management, and adherence to Chick-fil-A standards, with opportunities for growth and a competitive starting pay of $21.00–$24.00 per hour.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of management experience in a kitchen, restaurant, or food-service kitchen setting.
• Proven experience leading and developing a team.
• Strong understanding of kitchen operations, food safety, cleanliness, and execution.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication, organization, and accountability skills.
• Flexible availability, including days, evenings, Saturdays, opening, and closing shifts.
• Wants to build a career in leadership and restaurant operations.
• Enjoys developing and coaching people.
• Takes ownership rather than waiting to be told what to do.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing kitchen team.
• Create an environment where Team Members and leaders can grow.
• Coach leaders and Team Members toward Chick-fil-A standards.
• Oversee food quality, food safety, cleanliness, and kitchen execution.
• Build and maintain strong operational systems.
• Ensure appropriate staffing throughout each daypart.
• Lead shifts and establish standards for excellent shift execution.
• Manage food cost, labor, productivity, waste, and other key performance metrics.
• Oversee inventory, truck ordering, organization, and product quality systems.

Job description

Kitchen Director in Training

Chick-fil-A Toledo | Full-Time Leadership Position

Starting Pay: $21.00–$24.00/hour

Are you looking for more than just a restaurant management position?

Chick-fil-A Toledo is looking for a Kitchen Director in Training who wants to develop into a leader capable of owning a high-performing kitchen operation, developing people, managing systems, and delivering an exceptional guest experience.

This is a hands-on leadership development position designed to prepare the right candidate to grow into a Kitchen Director role.

What You'll Learn to Lead

As a Kitchen Director in Training, you will work alongside our leadership team to learn how to:

• Lead and develop a high-performing kitchen team
• Create an environment where Team Members and leaders can grow
• Coach leaders and Team Members toward Chick-fil-A standards
• Oversee food quality, food safety, cleanliness, and kitchen execution
• Build and maintain strong operational systems
• Ensure appropriate staffing throughout each daypart
• Lead shifts and establish standards for excellent shift execution
• Manage food cost, labor, productivity, waste, and other key performance metrics
• Oversee inventory, truck ordering, organization, and product quality systems
• Execute Chick-fil-A food safety standards and assessments
• Maintain OneClick checklists and accountability systems
• Support interviewing, onboarding, training, and development of new Team Members
• Develop Team Leaders and Supervisors through coaching and regular 1-on-1 development
• Identify opportunities within the kitchen and create long-term solutions

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of management experience in a kitchen, restaurant, or food-service kitchen setting
• Proven experience leading and developing a team
• Strong understanding of kitchen operations, food safety, cleanliness, and execution
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication, organization, and accountability skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on responsibilities
• Flexible availability, including days, evenings, Saturdays, opening, and closing shifts

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a leader who:

• Wants to build a career in leadership and restaurant operations
• Enjoys developing and coaching people
• Takes ownership rather than waiting to be told what to do
• Can hold others accountable while still caring for people
• Communicates clearly and professionally
• Is organized and able to manage multiple priorities
• Is comfortable learning and managing numbers and business results
• Has high standards for food quality, cleanliness, and food safety
• Is willing to work alongside the team and lead from within the operation
• Demonstrates strong character, reliability, and integrity

Schedule & Expectations

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week leadership position.

Because our Directors need to understand and support the entire operation, candidates must have flexible availability that includes a balance of:

Days | Evenings | Saturdays | Opening & Closing Shifts

This is an operational leadership role. You will spend significant time working alongside the team while learning how to lead the people, systems, and results of the kitchen.

Compensation & Growth Path

Kitchen Director in Training: $21.00–$24.00/hour

Pay within the range will be based on leadership experience, kitchen management experience, availability, and demonstrated readiness.

This position is designed to develop into:

Kitchen Director: $23.00–$30.00/hour + Bonus Opportunities

Advancement is based on demonstrated ability to independently lead the people, systems, and results of the kitchen.

What Success Looks Like

Our Kitchen Director is ultimately responsible for building a team and managing systems that consistently produce:

• Remarkable guest experiences
• Excellent food quality
• Exceptional food safety
• Strong and developing leaders
• A clean, organized, and efficient kitchen
• Effective labor and food-cost management
• Strong productivity and profitability
• Consistent execution of Chick-fil-A standards

You’ll be trained and developed toward taking ownership of these results.

Our Leadership Culture

At Chick-fil-A Toledo, our mission:

ELITE // Practicing Excellence for Others

Our values guide how we lead:

We Give // Generosity is normal

We Grow // Development is expected

We Serve // We > Me

We Go // Step out and step up

We aren't simply looking for someone who can run a kitchen. We're looking for someone who wants to develop people, build systems, take ownership, and grow into a significant leadership role within Chick-fil-A Toledo.

Working at a Chick-fil-A® restaurant is more than a job – it’s an opportunity for teamwork and leadership development in a positive, people-focused environment. Most Chick-fil-A restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent, franchised Operators who invest in the future of their Team Members and give back to their communities.