Restaurant Brand Leader (Director or VP)

Restaurant Brand Leader

PLEASE READ JOB DESCRIPTION

Established Restaurant Brands

Locations: Indianapolis, Chicago, Pittsburgh, or Baltimore

True Find is conducting a confidential search for a senior restaurant leader to oversee a multi-unit restaurant portfolio. This Brand Leader/VP/SVP-level opportunity combines strategic business leadership, sales growth, leadership development, and operational and financial oversight.

The ideal candidate brings a broad business perspective and the operational knowledge to translate financial results into action. Working through Directors of Operations, this leader will guide performance across markets while partnering with marketing and other business functions to strengthen the brand.

Key responsibilities

• Lead performance across multiple restaurant markets, setting direction and holding Directors of Operations accountable for results.
• Review P&Ls, identify financial and operational trends, and work with directors to address concerns and capture opportunities.
• Develop strategies to grow sales while maintaining cost discipline and operational standards.
• Partner with marketing on seasonal opportunities, promotional priorities, and plans to support sales during slower periods.
• Evaluate opportunities involving guest experience, new products, and testing new approaches across the portfolio.
• Develop leaders and support consistent execution while maintaining a focus on broader business priorities.
• Collaborate with accounting and other business functions to understand results and resolve questions affecting performance.

Qualifications

• Multi-unit restaurant leadership experience with responsibility for leading other leaders and overseeing performance across markets.
• Strong P&L knowledge and the ability to recognize issues, ask informed questions, and guide corrective action independently.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking beyond daily restaurant operations, including specific examples of sales growth and business improvement.
• Experience collaborating with marketing or contributing to guest experience, product testing, or other initiatives beyond operations.
• Strong communication, sound judgment, initiative, and the ability to develop and hold leaders accountable.
• Pizza experience is helpful but is not required; candidates from other restaurant concepts are welcome.

Confidential search

The client’s identity is confidential and will be shared with qualified candidates as the search progresses.

If you would like more information- PLEASE READ BELOW AS WELL.

The Opportunity

This senior leader is accountable for the operational and financial performance of a significant multi-market restaurant portfolio. This leader will set the direction for the business, build and develop a high-performing leadership team, strengthen field execution, and create an exceptional experience for both team members and guests.

We are intentionally flexible regarding a candidate’s current title. The strongest candidate may currently serve as a Director, Senior Director, Vice President, Regional Vice President, Division Vice President, or in a comparable senior multi-unit leadership role. What matters most is the scope of leadership, record of results, and readiness to take the next step—not the title printed on a business card.

Above all, we are seeking a true leader—someone who defines leadership by the ability to motivate others to win. This person creates belief and excitement, sets high expectations, connects people to a shared purpose, and brings teams along to deliver strong, sustainable results.

The successful leader will combine strategic judgment with a visible, hands-on field presence. This individual should genuinely enjoy connecting with restaurant teams, coaching leaders, challenging performance, recognizing wins, and creating momentum across geographically dispersed markets.

What Success Looks Like

• Achieve P&L, EBITDA, sales, and profitability goals while maintaining sound financial discipline.
• Improve operational performance, guest satisfaction, safety, compliance, and brand standards across the portfolio.
• Build strong leadership capability and succession depth at the Director of Operations and district leadership levels.
• Create a field-driven culture of belief, accountability, and continuous improvement while positioning the brand for sustainable, long-term growth.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic and Financial Leadership

• Develop and execute a brand strategy aligned with the organization’s broader business objectives.
• Establish performance measures, revenue targets, operating priorities, and clear accountability across all markets.
• Own portfolio-level P&L and EBITDA performance; implement effective cost controls and disciplined operating practices.
• Use market intelligence, financial results, guest feedback, and operating data to identify opportunities and refine strategy.
• Lead initiatives that improve restaurant performance and long-term value while exercising sound judgment within established financial-governance requirements.

Operational Excellence

• Provide visible, consistent leadership across all markets through frequent restaurant visits and direct engagement with field teams.
• Drive continuous improvement in restaurant systems, processes, execution, and overall operating discipline.
• Ensure consistent adherence to food safety, workplace safety, brand standards, and all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with field and support leaders on rapid problem resolution, responsible capital planning, and investments that maintain safe, efficient operations.
• Create clear communication rhythms that keep leaders aligned on expectations, priorities, progress, and results.

Talent and Leadership Development

• Recruit, inspire, develop, and retain high-performing operational leaders who can support current performance and future growth.
• Build strong succession plans and leadership bench strength across Director of Operations and district leadership roles.
• Create belief and excitement, establish ambitious but clear expectations, and motivate leaders and teams to win together.
• Coach leaders constructively, recognize strong performance, and address accountability gaps promptly.
• Promote a respectful, inclusive, performance-oriented culture while championing effective training, workforce planning, compliance, and leadership development.

Executive Collaboration and Innovation

• Serve as a trusted member of the executive leadership team and contribute to enterprise planning and decision-making.
• Collaborate across operations, finance, human resources, training, development, and other support functions.
• Translate strategic priorities into measurable field outcomes and promote scalable improvements that strengthen the brand and guest experience.

Leadership Profile

• A true people leader. Defines leadership by the ability to motivate others to win and consistently brings people along toward a shared goal.
• An energizing presence. Builds confidence, belief, focus, and momentum across field teams and senior leaders.
• A builder of leaders. Raises expectations, coaches with clarity, recognizes wins, and develops the leadership bench required for sustained growth.
• A field-oriented operator. Understands the business at restaurant level and earns credibility through visible engagement and follow-through.
• A competitive, results-driven executive. Recognizes that sustainable performance is achieved through strong people, clear standards, and disciplined leadership systems.
• A clear communicator. Aligns leaders at every level and translates strategy into understandable priorities and action.
• A disciplined, collaborative decision-maker. Balances urgency with sound judgment, financial accountability, integrity, resilience, and respect for people.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or a related field, or equivalent relevant leadership experience.
• At least 10 years of progressive multi-unit leadership experience in restaurant, retail, hospitality, or a closely related operating environment.
• Current or recent experience at the Director, Senior Director, Vice President, Regional Vice President, Division Vice President, or comparable senior leadership level. Candidates will be evaluated on leadership scope, results, and readiness for broader responsibility—not title alone.
• Substantial experience leading geographically dispersed teams and a large portfolio, with demonstrated success managing P&L, EBITDA, growth, cost controls, operational metrics, and guest satisfaction.
• Pizza or closely related quick-service restaurant experience is strongly preferred.
• Franchisee or operator-side experience is preferred; exceptional corporate-side leaders with relevant operating depth will also be considered.
• Proven ability to inspire teams, build leadership capability, strengthen succession pipelines, lead change, and solve complex operating problems.
• Strong analytical, project-management, communication, and organizational capabilities.
• Proficiency with business systems, performance reporting, and relevant technology platforms.

Travel Requirements

This role requires significant travel across the portfolio. The successful leader is expected to spend an average of approximately three days per week in restaurants and markets, with travel up to approximately 80% depending on business needs, leadership meetings, and operating priorities.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The employer is committed to equal employment opportunity and to maintaining an inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, business needs, and applicable law. The employer does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected characteristic.

Confidentiality Notice. This search is being conducted confidentially. Candidates are asked to treat all information concerning the opportunity, organization, portfolio, and selection process as confidential unless authorized otherwise.