Chief Operating Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Department: Executive Leadership

Status: Exempt

Date: July 2026

Broad Functions: The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides operational and financial leadership for the company's portfolio of restaurant and retail concessions located in airports and travel plazas across the United States. Operating nearly 400 locations across 27 airports and 12 travel plazas nationwide, the company is one of the largest privately held travel hospitality operators in the United States and the U.S. division of Areas, a global leader in travel hospitality. The COO partners with the CEO and executive team to set strategic direction, drives consistent operational excellence across all regions and concepts, and serves as the company's primary executive liaison to airport authorities, travel plaza landlords, and national brand partners. This role is accountable for building and leading a high-performing multi-unit operations organization that delivers a strong operating culture, brand standards, safety, and profitability across a large, geographically dispersed portfolio. A modern, hands-on COO in this role is closely engaged in day-to-day execution, builds a strong culture of accountability and continuous improvement across the organization, drives operational effectiveness and data-driven decision-making, champions sustainability and diversity and inclusion initiatives (including the company's Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) commitments), and partners with Areas' global leadership team to share best practices and support the U.S. division's continued growth through organic expansion and acquisition integration.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Own full P&L accountability for all restaurant and retail concession operations across airport and travel plaza locations, driving sales growth, cost management, and profitability targets.

2. Develop and execute the company's operational strategy in partnership with the CEO and executive leadership team, translating business goals into actionable regional and unit-level plans.

3. Lead and develop the regional and district operations leadership team, build a strong, accountable operating culture and ensuring consistent execution of brand standards guest services and operational excellence across all concepts and locations.

4. Maintain a highly visible, hands-on presence across the portfolio, regularly engaging directly with regional leaders, unit teams, and frontline associates to reinforce culture, accountability, and operational standards.

5. Serve as the primary executive point of contact with airport authorities, travel plaza landlords, and concession/property management partners, maintaining relationships that protect and grow the company's footprint.

6. Lead the operational integration of newly acquired locations, business units, and concession contracts, ensuring seamless transition of teams, systems, brand standards, and operating culture following mergers and acquisitions.

7. Ensure compliance with airport authority requirements, Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program requirements, badging and security regulations, food safety standards, labor laws, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations across all operating locations.

8. Partner with FP&A & Finance to build and manage operating budgets, forecasts, and capital plans, and to identify and act on opportunities to improve margins and operational efficiency.

9. Drive consistent execution of brand and guest experience standards across all restaurant and retail concepts, ensuring alignment with franchisor and brand partner requirements.

10. Partner closely with the People Team (Human Resources) on talent strategy, leadership development, and employee relations, and to build and sustain a strong, values-driven culture across the organization."

11. Drive continuous improvement in operational effectiveness and unit-level execution through structured performance reviews, standard operating procedures, and hands-on coaching of regional and unit leadership.

12. Partner with Supply Chain and Procurement to ensure consistent product availability, quality, and vendor performance across all locations.

13. Champion the use of technology and operational systems, including POS, labor management, inventory, and reporting tools, as well as performance dashboards and data analytics tools, to improve visibility, efficiency, and decision-making across the portfolio.

14. Represent the company at industry associations, airport concession events, and with prospective partners to support business development and the company's reputation in the marketplace.

15. Champion sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement initiatives across the portfolio, in alignment with the company's and Areas' global corporate responsibility commitments.

16. Partner with Areas' global leadership team to align on brand strategy, share operational best practices, and support the U.S. division's continued growth and integration within the broader global platform.

17. Perform additional responsibilities and special projects as assigned by the CEO.

Skills and Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field required; MBA preferred.

2. 15+ years of progressive operations leadership experience in multi-unit restaurant, retail, or hospitality operations, including significant P&L responsibility.

3. Prior experience in airport, travel plaza, or transportation-related concession operations strongly preferred.

4. Demonstrated success leading multi-state or multi-region operations teams through a regional/district management structure.

5. Experience leading mergers, acquisitions, or post-acquisition integration in a multi-unit operating environment strongly preferred.

6. Experience operating within a multinational, multi-brand, or private equity-backed organizational structure preferred.

7. Strong knowledge of airport authority relationships, concession/lease agreements, and RFP processes.

8. Proven track record of driving sales growth, controlling costs, and improving operational margins across a large, distributed portfolio.

9. Experience partnering with franchisors and national brand partners to maintain brand standards and compliance.

10. Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and capital planning experience.

11. Demonstrated experience leveraging data analytics and operational reporting tools to drive performance and decision-making.

12. Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-management skills, with the ability to influence airport authorities, landlords, and internal stakeholders at all levels.

13. Ability to travel extensively (50%+), including by air, to support units, airport authority relationships, and business development across the country.

14. Experience building and developing high-performing leadership teams in a fast-paced, multi-unit operating environment, with a hands-on leadership style and a demonstrated ability to build strong, accountable operating cultures.

15. Working knowledge of food safety, labor, and airport security/badging, ACDBE/DBE, regulations applicable to concession operations.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This role requires frequent travel, including air travel, to airport and travel plaza locations nationwide, at times on short notice. While visiting operating locations, the COO may be required to stand and walk for extended periods, navigate kitchen, retail, and back-of-house environments, and occasionally lift or move up to 25 lbs. The role also requires extended periods of sitting and computer use in an office setting, the ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and virtually, and the ability to work extended and non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as business needs require.

EEOC Statement:

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse team and fostering an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability status, or veteran status.

Benefits:

We offer full-time eligible employees affordable medical insurance, dental and vision benefits, along with a variety of voluntary insurance options. Our benefits package includes company-sponsored life insurance, a free employee assistance program, competitive paid time off, company holidays, and a 401k retirement plan with company match. Plus, enjoy access to discount programs for travel and entertainment and a location meal program. In addition, this position is bonus eligible.