Director of Operations

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Large McDonald’s Franchisee Department: Operations Reports To: Executive Director of Operations Location: Tallahassee, Florida Employment Status: Full-Time, Exempt POSITION SUMMARY: The Director of Operations is responsible for the overall operational performance, profitability, and strategic growth of a large McDonald’s franchise organization. This position provides leadership and direction to the Operations team, ensuring that all restaurants consistently deliver exceptional customer service, operational excellence, food safety, and adherence to McDonald’s brand standards. The Director of Operations partners with the executive leadership team to develop and execute business strategies that maximize sales, profitability, guest satisfaction, employee engagement, and long-term organizational growth. This position requires a highly experienced restaurant operator with a proven track record of leading multi-unit operations, developing high-performing teams, and driving results across a large restaurant portfolio. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Operational Leadership and Accountability: Provide overall leadership and direction for restaurant operations across the franchise organization. Establish clear performance expectations and accountability for Operations Managers, Supervisors, and Restaurant Managers. Ensure restaurants consistently meet or exceed company expectations for sales, profitability, customer service, food quality, speed of service, cleanliness, and operational execution. Monitor restaurant performance through regular business reviews, field visits, and operational reporting. Identify operational deficiencies and implement corrective action plans to achieve sustainable improvement. Ensure restaurants are properly staffed, scheduled, and equipped to meet customer demand. Maintain a strong focus on restaurant readiness, including opening and closing execution, staffing, food preparation, and equipment functionality. Financial Performance and Business Growth: Execute annual operating plans and budgets for the restaurant portfolio. Drive sales growth, transaction growth, and profitability through effective operational strategies. Review and analyze restaurant financial statements, sales trends, labor costs, food costs, and other key performance indicators. Establish financial targets and hold operational leaders accountable for achieving results. Partner with Finance to identify opportunities to improve margins, control expenses, and maximize restaurant-level profitability. Ensure labor scheduling and deployment are aligned with sales forecasts and business needs. Monitor food cost, waste, inventory controls, and other cost-of-goods indicators. Identify opportunities for new restaurant development, remodels, reinvestment, and operational expansion. McDonald’s Brand Standards and Guest Experience: Ensure full compliance with McDonald’s brand standards, operational procedures, and restaurant expectations. Maintain consistent execution of food quality, service, cleanliness, and overall customer experience standards. Monitor results from brand standards visits, operational assessments, and customer feedback. Develop and implement action plans to address performance gaps and prevent recurring deficiencies. Ensure restaurants are prepared for brand standards visits and maintain a culture of daily operational excellence. Partner with relevant McDonald’s corporate representatives and franchise support teams to ensure alignment with brand initiatives and expectations. Promote a guest-first culture throughout the organization. Leadership Development and Talent Management: Build and maintain a strong leadership pipeline throughout the organization. Develop Regional Directors, Operations Directors, Restaurant Managers, and other key leaders through coaching, training, and performance management. Ensure effective succession planning for critical operational positions. Establish consistent leadership development expectations and training programs. Partner with Human Resources to ensure effective recruiting, onboarding, retention, and employee development. Hold leaders accountable for creating positive, respectful, and productive work environments. Identify high-potential employees and provide opportunities for career advancement. Ensure management teams are properly trained and capable of executing company standards and business objectives. People, Culture, and Employee Engagement: Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement. Support employee engagement initiatives and retention strategies. Partner with Human Resources to address employee relations, performance concerns, and organizational issues. Ensure compliance with company policies, employment laws, and applicable McDonald’s requirements. Promote effective communication between restaurant teams, field leadership, and executive management. Maintain high standards for leadership conduct and workplace culture. Support initiatives that improve morale, employee satisfaction, and management retention. Restaurant Systems and Operational Excellence: Ensure consistent implementation and effective use of McDonald’s operational systems, technology, and business tools. Monitor restaurant adherence to scheduling, planning, inventory, training, and performance-management systems. Drive adoption of new operational initiatives and ensure leaders are properly trained. Identify opportunities to improve restaurant processes, efficiency, and productivity. Partner with appropriate departments to resolve technology, equipment, and operational challenges. Ensure restaurant managers and crew members have the tools, training, and resources necessary to perform their jobs effectively. Food Safety, Risk Management, and Compliance: Maintain the highest standards of food safety, sanitation, and restaurant cleanliness. Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local health and safety regulations. Monitor food safety audits, health department inspections, and operational compliance reports. Address safety concerns promptly and implement corrective measures. Ensure restaurants maintain proper equipment, smallwares, and operational supplies. Partner with Maintenance and other departments to support safe, efficient, and fully operational restaurants. Promote a culture of safety for employees and guests. Strategic Planning and Organizational Growth: Partner with the President and executive leadership team to establish long-term operational and financial objectives. Develop strategies to support the growth of the franchise organization. Evaluate market opportunities, restaurant performance, and operational capacity. Support new restaurant openings, acquisitions, remodels, and other strategic initiatives. Ensure operational leadership structures and resources support the size and complexity of the organization. Lead change management initiatives and ensure effective communication throughout the organization. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS: The Director of Operations will be accountable for measurable improvement and sustained performance in the following areas: Sales and transaction growth. Restaurant profitability and operating income. Customer satisfaction and service times. Food quality and adherence to McDonald’s brand standards. Restaurant cleanliness and food safety. Labor productivity and scheduling effectiveness. Food cost, waste, and inventory control. Management staffing, retention, and leadership development. Employee engagement and organizational culture. Successful execution of strategic initiatives and business plans. QUALIFICATIONS: Required: Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in restaurant operations, preferably within McDonald’s or a comparable large QSR organization. Minimum of 5 years of multi-unit leadership experience with responsibility for multiple restaurants. Proven success managing a large restaurant portfolio and leading senior operational leaders. Strong understanding of McDonald’s operational systems, brand standards, and business practices. Demonstrated ability to drive sales, profitability, and operational improvement. Strong financial analysis, budgeting, and business planning skills. Proven experience developing managers and building leadership teams. Excellent communication, decision-making, and organizational skills. Ability to travel regularly between restaurants and attend company or McDonald’s meetings as required. Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field. Experience overseeing 30 or more restaurants. Experience supporting new restaurant development, acquisitions, or remodels. Experience managing Regional Directors or comparable senior operational leaders. LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: The successful candidate will demonstrate: Strategic thinking and business acumen. Strong operational discipline and execution. Financial accountability. Leadership development and talent management. Decisive problem-solving. Effective communication and collaboration. High personal integrity and professionalism. Commitment to McDonald’s brand standards and customer experience. Ability to lead through change and organizational growth. WORKING CONDITIONS: Regular travel between restaurants, company offices, and other business locations. Frequent visits to restaurant kitchens, dining rooms, service areas, and back-of-house operations. Ability to work varying schedules, including occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays as business needs require. Ability to perform duties in a fast-paced restaurant environment. DISCLAIMER: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the Director of Operations. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions. The company reserves the right to modify this job description as business needs change. #J-18808-Ljbffr JV&Sons