Area Director

Area Director

We are a restaurant group that thrives on creating authentic and inspiring experiences for the communities we serve. Through the contributions of countless incredible people, past and present, we're headed to the moon with a simple mission - to make people feel good. While no one on the team is quite like the other, it's our common values that keep us united.

Be Authentic and Humble

Act with Integrity

Bring Good Energy

Achieve as a Team

Get Extraordinary Results

Inspire with Hospitality

The Area Director is to oversee store operations, people development, and financial performance across assigned locations. The Area Director will be the bridge between company vision and store-level execution, ensuring brand standards and goals are met daily.

To be successful you must:

• Partner with Human Resources and Recruiting to oversee management hiring for assigned stores and ensure restaurant leaders are adhering to hourly hiring process and standards.
• Provide direct coaching, career pathing, and professional development for restaurant leaders.
• Model and communicate company's mission, vision, and traditions, ensuring a positive and safe work environment.
• Manage performance through timely reviews, rewarding excellence, and coaching through behavioral gaps.
• Conduct regular audits of store cleanliness, maintenance, and equipment to ensure brand standards.
• Validate that all company training programs, food safety protocols, and sanitation processes are strictly followed.
• Lead the strategy and execution for new locations within your region.
• Oversight of guest incident claims, workplace safety, and labor law compliance.
• Analyze P&L trends, sales data, and labor costs to ensure restaurants meet profitability budgets.
• Ensure rigorous accounting of inventory, cash handling, and company equipment.
• Conduct regular SWOT analyses (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to identify sales growth opportunities.
• Provide recommendations for renovations and manage R&M (Repair & Maintenance) budgets.
• Ensure all teams utilize the company service model to provide remarkable guest connections.
• Review social media and guest feedback, delegating action items to resolve concerns and improve scores.
• Act as the escalation point for heightened guest or employee issues.
• Assist store leaders in planning marketing events, catering growth, and delivery optimization.
• Maintain strong professional relationships with local vendors to ensure seamless store support.

Why You'll Love Upward Projects:

• Medical with company contribution
• Vision and Dental Insurance
• Paid time off and earned paid sick time
• 401K with company match
• Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts
• Teledoc Services for all team members
• Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, and AD&D
• Paid Parental Leave
• Meal Discounts and Perks
• Mental Wellness and Life Event Management programs
• Anniversary recognition and rewards

Requirements:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a multi-unit manager in a high-volume restaurant environment
• Ability to provide accomplishments and successes within the multi-unit role in key company metrics
• Advanced knowledge of food and beverage trends, products, and quality
• Ability to examine details and provide alternate solutions to areas where results fall short
• Strong ability to learn and teach the mechanics and details of a P&L
• Excellent people skills and the ability to motivate and inspire others
• Proven ability to develop managers
• Strong communication skills both oral and written
• Strong ability to understand, use, and teach others software that applies to daily business functions
• Strong advocate of company culture and putting employees first
• Ability to see complex situations and provide best case solutions from research and benchmarking
• Strong ability to handle conflict when it arises and able to diffuse high-risk situations