Area Director

Area Director

At Cafe Rio, we don't just run restaurants. We build leaders, develop teams, and create experiences that turn customers into lifelong brand advocates. We hire operators with the heart of a teacher, the mindset of an entrepreneur, and the discipline to deliver excellence every day. We believe world-class operations begin with world-class people, and we invest heavily in developing leaders who can inspire teams, elevate performance, and create lasting impact. Our restaurants are built on scratch-made food, genuine hospitality, and an unwavering commitment to quality. As we continue to grow, we remain focused on doing things the right way: developing great people, building strong culture, and delivering operational excellence in every market we serve.

This is a unique opportunity to join one of the fastest-growing and most respected brands in the fast-casual restaurant industry. As an Area Director, you will serve as the senior operational leader for a portfolio of 6 to 10 restaurants within a defined market or geographic region. You will be responsible for driving business results, developing exceptional leaders, strengthening culture, and ensuring consistent execution of Cafe Rio's standards across all locations. The Area Director is much more than a multi-unit operator. This role requires a strategic business leader capable of balancing financial performance, talent development, operational excellence, and market growth. You will partner closely with Regional and Executive Leadership while coaching Restaurant General Managers to achieve exceptional results. We are seeking a leader who is passionate about developing people, obsessed with delivering an outstanding guest experience, and driven to build high-performing teams that consistently exceed expectations.

The Area Director leads and develops a portfolio of restaurants while driving profitability, operational excellence, talent development, and customer satisfaction. This role serves as the primary coach and business partner for General Managers and is accountable for delivering sustainable growth through strong leadership, disciplined execution, and effective decision-making. The Area Director reports directly to the Regional Vice President or Regional Director of Operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership
• Financial Performance
• Talent Development & Leadership
• Culture & Employee Engagement
• Strategic Execution
• Guest Experience
• Compliance & Risk Management

Qualifications

• Required Experience
• Education
• Leadership Competencies
• Technical Skills
• Physical & Travel Requirements

Successful Area Directors at Cafe Rio:

• Develop strong General Managers who build exceptional teams.
• Consistently deliver sales growth and profitability targets.
• Create highly engaged cultures with low management turnover.
• Execute operational standards without compromise.
• Build deep relationships with restaurant teams and communities.
• Identify future leaders and create meaningful career opportunities.
• Lead with humility, accountability, and a relentless commitment to excellence.

At Cafe Rio, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on people, performance, and growth. You'll work alongside passionate leaders, influence strategic decisions, develop future operators, and help shape the next chapter of one of the restaurant industry's most exciting brands. If you're ready to lead at a high level, build exceptional teams, and drive results in a dynamic growth environment, we'd love to talk with you.

We use eVerify to confirm U.S. Employment eligibility. We run background checks on all new hires in this position.