Executive Chef | Upscale Casual Dining

Executive Chef | Upscale Casual Dining

$85,000 - $90,000 base salary + bonus

We are a rapidly growing upscale casual restaurant group seeking an experienced Executive Chef to join an established Charlotte leadership team with the opportunity to relocate into a new restaurant opening in Wilmington, NC in Spring 2027.

This is an excellent opportunity for a culinary leader who enjoys developing people, leading high-performing teams, and working in a scratch-kitchen environment. The ideal candidate is a strong restaurant operator who values consistency, coaching, food quality, and long-term career growth.

With multiple restaurants opening annually, there is a strong track record of promoting leaders from within. This role offers the opportunity to establish yourself within a successful operation before helping lead the opening of a brand-new restaurant.

What You'll Do

• Lead all back-of-house operations
• Develop, coach, and mentor culinary team members
• Maintain exceptional food quality and execution standards
• Manage labor, scheduling, purchasing, inventory, and food costs
• Ensure adherence to all safety, sanitation, and allergy protocols
• Partner with restaurant leadership to drive operational excellence
• Maintain a positive, accountable, and team-focused kitchen culture
• Support future restaurant growth and new opening initiatives

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience
• Current executive chef, executive sous chef, or high-level kitchen manager experience
• Scratch kitchen experience required
• High-volume full-service restaurant background
• Strong labor and food cost management experience
• Proven success developing and retaining kitchen teams
• Stable employment history with demonstrated career progression
• Hands-on leadership style
• Strong communication and organizational skills

Ideal Background

We are particularly interested in candidates from:

• Upscale casual dining
• Polished casual dining
• High-volume scratch kitchen concepts
• Chef-driven restaurant groups with strong operating systems

Successful candidates are leaders who enjoy building teams, coaching future leaders, and maintaining operational excellence.

Career Opportunity

This position is based in Charlotte, NC and is designed for a leader interested in relocating to Wilmington, NC to support a planned restaurant opening in Spring 2027. Candidates seeking long-term growth, future multi-unit opportunities, and new restaurant opening experience are highly encouraged to apply.

Compensation & Benefits

• $85,000 - $90,000 base salary
• Annual bonus opportunity
• Medical benefits
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance available
• Structured training and leadership development
• Future advancement opportunities within a growing organization

If you're an executive chef who enjoys developing people, building culture, and leading high-performing scratch kitchen teams, we would love to speak with you.