Chief People Officer (Carlsbad)

Job Description

Lead the Next Chapter of People, Culture & Growth at Luna Grill

Chief People Officer | Onsite in Carlsbad, CA (Restaurant Support Center / RSC)

Compensation : $225K–$250K + Bonus

At Luna Grill, our purpose has been clear for the last 20 years: to inspire better food and lifestyle choices. What started as a promise from two parents to their children has evolved into one of the fastest-growing Mediterranean restaurant brands in the country — fueled by the world’s undisputed #1 diet for 9 consecutive years.

With 58 restaurants across CA, TX, and AZ — and opening nearly one new restaurant every month in 2026 — Luna Grill is entering one of the most exciting growth chapters in our history. Our momentum is real:

• Positive restaurant sales for 5+ years
• Positive transaction growth for 11 consecutive quarters
• Industry‑leading guest scores and retention metrics
• A people‑first culture built on recognition, growth, coaching, and connection

Our current CPO is retiring after helping build something truly meaningful, and we’re seeking a high‑impact leader ready to scale and modernize the people function while protecting the culture that makes Luna Grill special. This role will partner directly with the CEO and Executive Team to strengthen leadership capability, build scalable systems and processes, elevate employer brand presence, and help drive a high‑performance culture across the organization.

We’re looking for someone who

• 15+ years of progressive HR leadership experience
• Thrives in high‑growth environments
• Understands restaurant, wellness, fitness, or retail operations
• Balances strategy with hands‑on execution
• Builds leaders, succession plans, and scalable people systems
• Leads with positivity, accountability, and influence
• Embraces technology, innovation, and modern HR tools
• Has deep California employment law expertise
• Brings strong experience managing wage & hour claims and outside legal counsel
• Understands HRIS, payroll, scheduling, and operational platforms that support scale
• Knows how to protect culture while mitigating organizational risk
• Understands how culture drives operational excellence

What makes Luna Grill different

• Average 4.8‑star guest ratings across Yelp & Google
• Turnover dramatically below industry average
• Team members move up, not out
• A leadership team deeply committed to people‑first values
• A wellness‑focused brand where purpose and performance coexist

If you’re passionate about scaling culture intentionally, building exceptional teams, and creating an organization where people genuinely want to grow their careers — we’d love to connect.

Luna Grill participates in E‑Verify for all positions.

Luna Grill is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a welcoming and inclusive environment to our team members, job applicants, the guests we serve, and the communities we call home. Luna Grill also has a longstanding policy of providing a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual and is free from all forms of discrimination, including harassment, because of race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.