Operations Director

Chick-fil-A; Eatontown (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Closed on Sundays

Scholarship opportunities

Competitive pay

Learning from experienced Operators

Leadership development opportunities

Job summary

Chick-fil-A Eatontown seeks a Director to lead a designated area of restaurant performance, drive measurable improvements, and develop mid-level leaders who can independently run successful shifts.

The role emphasizes ownership, servant leadership, and strong execution across guest experience, quality, and operations, with opportunities for growth and leadership development within the restaurant.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates strong character, integrity, humility, and sound judgment.
• Take ownership and improve results.
• Develop and influence others.
• Lead through other leaders rather than relying solely on personal execution.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to give and receive direct, respectful feedback.
• Hold others accountable to clearly communicated expectations.

Responsibilities

• Own a designated Critical Success Factor, business function, or major area of restaurant performance.
• Establish clear goals, priorities, strategies, and action plans for their area of ownership.
• Produce measurable improvement in assigned business results.
• Regularly analyze performance, identify gaps, determine root causes, and implement solutions.
• Develop and execute plans rather than waiting for the Operator or other Directors to identify problems or determine next steps.
• Develop mid-level leaders who can independently lead successful shifts, coach Team Members, solve problems, and uphold restaurant standards.
• Coach leaders and Team Members through clear expectations, timely feedback, recognition, and accountability.
• Hold leaders accountable for both their behaviors and their results.
• Build leadership capacity and succession within their area of the business.
• Delegate effectively while maintaining ownership of the final outcome.
• Partner collaboratively with other Directors to improve the health and performance of the entire restaurant.
• Maintain a strong understanding of restaurant operations and remain capable of leading the restaurant when needed.
• Protect Operational Excellence, including Guest Experience, Quality, Food Safety, Cleanliness, Speed, and Order Accuracy.
• Identify trends and opportunities using restaurant performance data and operational observations.
• Communicate progress, obstacles, priorities, and results clearly to the Operator and Director team.
• Lead change effectively by communicating the "why," creating buy-in, following through, and measuring adoption.
• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication.
• Model Chick-fil-A Eatontown's leadership expectations and culture at all times.

Skills

Leadership

Ownership

People development

Communication

Problem solving

Job description

Director

Brand Summary

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.

Job Description

A Director is a senior leader who consistently demonstrates our core values, embraces the Chick-fil-A culture, and leads with a servant’s heart. Directors demonstrate strong character, sound judgment, initiative, accountability, and a passion for developing others.

Directors are responsible for owning a key area of the business and producing measurable results through the leaders and Team Members they develop. While Directors maintain a strong understanding of restaurant operations and may participate operationally when necessary, their primary responsibility extends beyond running successful shifts. Directors identify opportunities, establish priorities, develop solutions, execute plans, measure results, and build leadership capacity within their area of ownership.

Directors work closely with the Operator and Director team to pursue Operational Excellence, strengthen the organization, and ensure Chick-fil-A Eatontown consistently delivers an exceptional experience for both Guests and Team Members.

A Director’s primary areas of focus are business ownership, leadership development, operational excellence, and measurable improvement.

Directors lead by example while developing other leaders who can consistently execute the standard without depending on the Director’s constant presence.

Position Type

• Full-time
• Leadership availability based on the needs of the business

Our Benefits Include

• A fun work environment where you can positively influence others
• Closed on Sundays
• Learning first‑hand from an experienced Operator and senior Restaurant Leaders
• Intentional leadership and professional development
• Opportunities to own meaningful areas of the business
• Scholarship opportunities
• Competitive pay
• Opportunities for continued growth and expanded leadership responsibility

Director Responsibilities

• Own a designated Critical Success Factor, business function, or major area of restaurant performance
• Establish clear goals, priorities, strategies, and action plans for their area of ownership
• Produce measurable improvement in assigned business results
• Regularly analyze performance, identify gaps, determine root causes, and implement solutions
• Develop and execute plans rather than waiting for the Operator or other Directors to identify problems or determine next steps
• Develop mid‑level leaders who can independently lead successful shifts, coach Team Members, solve problems, and uphold restaurant standards
• Coach leaders and Team Members through clear expectations, timely feedback, recognition, and accountability
• Hold leaders accountable for both their behaviors and their results
• Build leadership capacity and succession within their area of the business
• Delegate effectively while maintaining ownership of the final outcome
• Partner collaboratively with other Directors to improve the health and performance of the entire restaurant
• Maintain a strong understanding of restaurant operations and remain capable of leading the restaurant when needed
• Protect Operational Excellence, including Guest Experience, Quality, Food Safety, Cleanliness, Speed, and Order Accuracy
• Identify trends and opportunities using restaurant performance data and operational observations
• Communicate progress, obstacles, priorities, and results clearly to the Operator and Director team
• Lead change effectively by communicating the "why," creating buy‑in, following through, and measuring adoption
• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication
• Model Chick-fil-A Eatontown's leadership expectations and culture at all times

Qualifications and Requirements

• Demonstrates strong character, integrity, humility, and sound judgment
• Consistently models Chick-fil-A Eatontown's values and leadership expectations
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership and improve results
• Demonstrated ability to develop and influence others
• Ability to lead through other leaders rather than relying solely on personal execution
• Strong problem‑solving and critical‑thinking skills
• Ability to identify a problem, determine root causes, develop a solution, execute a plan, and evaluate its effectiveness
• Ability to give and receive direct, respectful feedback
• Willingness and ability to hold others accountable to clearly communicated expectations
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to prioritize competing needs and maintain focus on the highest‑impact work
• Ability to remain composed and make sound decisions in a high‑volume, fast‑paced environment
• Ability to use restaurant data and performance metrics to make informed decisions
• Strong commitment to superior Guest Experience and Operational Excellence
• Ability to collaborate with other Directors with shared ownership for overall restaurant performance
• Demonstrates initiative and does not require constant direction from senior leadership
• Demonstrates consistent follow‑through on commitments
• Ability to adapt leadership style to different people and situations
• Desire to continuously learn, receive coaching, and grow as a leader
• Prior restaurant leadership experience is strongly preferred
• Previous Chick-fil-A leadership experience is preferred but not required

What Success Looks Like

A successful Director does not simply keep their area functioning. They make it better.

Success in this role means:

• Business results within the Director's ownership demonstrate measurable improvement.
• Problems are identified and addressed proactively rather than repeatedly escalated.
• Mid‑level leaders become increasingly capable and independent.
• Team Members receive consistent coaching, recognition, development, and accountability.
• Standards remain strong even when the Director is not physically present.
• The Director develops potential successors and strengthens the restaurant's leadership bench.
• Commitments are completed consistently and communicated clearly.
• The Director can explain what is happening in their area, why it is happening, what they are doing about it, and whether the plan is working.
• The restaurant is stronger because of the systems, leaders, and results the Director has built—not simply because of the hours the Director personally works.

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.