Director of Operations - Multi-Brand Restaurant Growth & Leadership

Job Description

Job Description

Director of Operations - Multi-Unit, Multi-Brand Restaurants

Location: Southern California
Preferred Base: Los Angeles / Greater Los Angeles
Salary: $150,000-$175,000 + Performance-Based Bonus
Travel: Regular travel throughout California and assigned markets
Relocation: Open to relocation for the right candidate

A rapidly growing restaurant organization operating 50+ locations is seeking an accomplished Director of Operations to lead and strengthen a large-scale, multi-unit, multi-brand restaurant organization.

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an experienced restaurant operator who has successfully led large field organizations, developed Regional Directors and Area Managers, improved underperforming restaurants, and driven measurable improvements in sales, profitability, labor, food cost, guest experience, and operational execution.

The ideal candidate has experience overseeing 50+ restaurant locations and comes from a major QSR, fast-casual, franchise, or multi-brand restaurant organization.

This is not a single-brand or single-market operations role. We are looking for a proven field leader who understands how to build systems, develop leadership teams, drive accountability, and translate company strategy into consistent execution across a large restaurant portfolio.

WHAT YOU'LL LEAD

• Oversee operations across 50+ restaurant locations and multiple brands
• Lead and develop Regional Directors of Operations, Area Managers, and General Managers
• Establish clear operating standards, systems, KPIs, reporting, and accountability
• Review restaurant-level P&Ls and develop measurable action plans to improve performance
• Drive sales growth, labor efficiency, food cost control, profitability, and guest satisfaction
• Identify underperforming locations and implement turnaround strategies
• Strengthen recruiting, training, succession planning, and leadership development
• Build a strong pipeline of high-performing restaurant leaders
• Partner closely with Finance, HR, Construction, Facilities, IT, and Marketing
• Support new restaurant openings, acquisitions, integrations, and expansion
• Ensure consistent execution of operational, food safety, employment, and company standards
• Maintain a strong field presence through regular restaurant visits and leadership coaching
• Balance strategic leadership with hands-on involvement in restaurant operations

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• 10+ years of progressive restaurant operations experience
• 5+ years in senior multi-unit leadership
• Proven responsibility for 50+ restaurant locations
• Experience leading Regional Directors, Area Managers, and/or large GM organizations
• Multi-brand experience strongly preferred
• QSR, fast-casual, franchise, or large-scale restaurant experience highly preferred
• Strong command of restaurant P&Ls, labor, food cost, budgeting, KPIs, and financial performance
• Demonstrated success improving underperforming restaurants or markets
• Strong recruiting, training, coaching, and succession-planning experience
• Experience supporting new openings, acquisitions, integrations, or rapid expansion
• Strong communication, organization, and accountability skills
• Comfortable spending significant time in the field
• Willingness to travel regularly throughout California and other assigned markets
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent education strongly preferred

THE IDEAL LEADER

We're looking for an operator who has already operated at scale.

You may currently be a:

• Director of Operations
• Senior Director of Operations
• Regional Vice President
• Vice President of Operations
• Regional Director of Operations
• Multi-Unit Operations Director
• Franchise Operations Executive

The strongest candidates will have experience leading 50+ locations, managing multiple layers of field leadership, and operating within a complex multi-brand environment.

Experience with organizations such as Wingstop, Jamba, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Papa Johns, Jersey Mike's, or comparable QSR, fast-casual, franchise, and multi-concept restaurant groups is highly relevant.

Leaders who have successfully managed through restructuring, acquisitions, franchise transitions, underperforming markets, or significant growth are especially encouraged to apply.

WHY THIS OPPORTUNITY

• $150,000-$175,000 base salary
• Performance-based bonus
• 401(k)
• Healthcare benefits
• Significant long-term growth opportunity
• Senior leadership visibility
• Multi-brand, multi-market responsibility
• Opportunity to influence systems, culture, profitability, and expansion
• Southern California-based leadership position with regular field travel

If you're an accomplished restaurant operations leader who has successfully managed large-scale field organizations and is ready to make a measurable impact across a growing multi-brand restaurant portfolio, we'd like to hear from you.

Apply today with your resume and a brief overview of the size and scope of the restaurant organization you currently or most recently oversee.

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.

Company Description

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.