Vice President of Operations - ZJFL

Leap Brands; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Leap Brands seeks a VP of Operations to scale our rapid-expanding QSR portfolio. You will drive AUV and EBITDA growth while overseeing seamless integration of acquisitions andsuccessful launch of new restaurant openings. You bridge corporate strategy and frontline execution.

The ideal candidate has extensive multi-unit QSR leadership, a proven acquisition track record, and deep tech literacy across AI-driven drive-thrus, unified POS, and automation.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of multi-unit QSR leadership, with at least 5 years at the Director or VP level.
• Proven track record of integrating M&A targets and turning around acquired units.
• Strong tech literacy in 2026 QSR tech such as AI-driven drive-thrus and unified POS.
• Ability to enforce standards, lead cross-regional audits, and optimize unit economics.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Scaling & Acquisitions: Integrate new units and ensure brand standards, tech stacks, and culture.
• Operational Excellence (2026 Tech-Forward): Oversee unified commerce rollout and automation.
• P&L & Workforce: Manage food/labor/expenses and implement modern scheduling.

Skills

Integration leadership

P&L mastery

Multi-unit QSR leadership

Tech literacy

Strategic scaling

Workforce strategy

Decision making

Tools

Unified POS systems

AI-driven drive-thrus

BOH automation tools

Job description

AstheVPofOperations,youwillowntheoperationalP&LandexecutionstrategyforourrapidlyexpandingQSRportfolio.YourprimaryobjectiveistodriveAverageUnitVolume(AUV)andEBITDAgrowthwhileoverseeingtheseamlessintegrationofnewacquisitionsandthesuccessfullaunchofnewrestaurantopenings(NSOs).Youarethebridgebetweencorporatestrategyandfrontlineexecution.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Scaling & Acquisitions

• IntegrationLead:Architectandexecutethe"First90Days"operationalplaybookforallnewlyacquiredunits.Ensurebrandstandards,techstacks,andculturearealignedwithoutlosingtribalknowledgeormomentum.
• NewDevelopmentOversight:PartnerwiththeDevelopment/RealEstateteamtoensureNSOsarestaffed,trained,and"revenue-ready"onDay1.
• UnitEconomicsOptimization:Constantlyaudittheportfoliotoidentifyunderperformingunits,implementingaggressiveturnaroundstrategiesor"Right-Sizing"initiatives.

2. Operational Excellence (2026 Tech-Forward)

• UnifiedCommerceExecution:Overseetheoperationalrolloutofunifiedcommerceplatformsensuringkiosks,mobileapp,drive-thruAI,and3rd-partydeliveryallflowthroughasingle,frictionlesssmart-kitchenKDS.
• Automation&Throughput:ImplementandmonitorBOHautomationtools(automatedportioning,demandforecastingAI)tooffsetlaborvolatilityanddrive"Time-to-Window"improvements.
• StandardsEnforcement:Conducthigh-frequency"OperationalAudits"toensure100%consistencyacrossallregions.Youdonttolerate"dumpsterfire"units.
• P&LMastery:HoldRegionalandDistrictManagersaccountableforFood,Labor,andControllableExpenses.Youspeakthelanguageof"MarginperTicket,"notjust"Top-lineSales".
• WorkforceStrategy:Treatlaborretentionasacoreoperationaldiscipline.Implementmodernscheduling,cross-training,anddigitalonboardingtokeepthe"Time-to-Competency"aslowaspossible.

The Ideal Candidate

• Experience:12+yearsofmulti-unitQSRleadership,withatleast5yearsattheDirectororVPlevel.
• The "Acquisition" Muscle:ProventrackrecordofintegratingM&Atargets.Youknowhowtowalkintoacompetitor'sstoreandturnitintooneofyourownwithinaquarter.
• TechLiteracy:Expert-levelunderstandingof2026QSRtech(e.g.,AI-drivendrive-thrus,automatedlaborscheduling,andunifiedPOSsystems).
• LeadershipStyle:High-accountability,aggressive,anddecisive.Youaren'ta"micromanaging"leader;youarea"system-building"leader.