Restaurant Director of Operations

Area Director, Multi-Unit Restaurant Operations

San Francisco Bay Area | Field-Based | Full-Time, Exempt

We are seeking an experienced Area Director to lead a portfolio of high-volume restaurant locations across the San Francisco Bay Area. This is a hands-on, field-based leadership role. It is not remote. The position requires consistent on-site presence five days per week, with additional flexibility as business needs require. The role reports to senior operations leadership and is structured around an approximately 50-hour workweek.

The Opportunity

This role oversees multiple enterprise restaurant locations in complex, high-traffic environments, including airport and tourist-driven sites. Success requires an owner-operator mindset: high visibility in the restaurants, disciplined operational execution, and the ability to develop people while delivering strong financial results.

What You Will Do

• Lead multiple restaurant locations and hold General Managers and management teams accountable for operational and financial performance.
• Drive results across sales, labor, cost of goods, productivity, and profitability.
• Build bench strength through people development, coaching, and succession planning.
• Protect guest experience, food safety, and consistent operational execution.
• Operate effectively in high-volume, high-complexity settings.
• Maintain a strong field presence and support all assigned locations in person.

What We Are Looking For

• A minimum of 10 years of restaurant or hospitality industry experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of multi-unit leadership experience.
• Strong preference for experience with high-volume, proven restaurant concepts.
• Demonstrated success leading multiple locations, developing General Managers, and driving operational accountability.
• Strong financial and operational acumen.
• A proven record in people development, succession planning, guest experience, food safety, and day-to-day operational execution.
• The ability to perform effectively in complex, high-volume environments.
• Residence in San Francisco or the surrounding Bay Area, with the ability to support all locations consistently in person.

Compensation

$120,000 to $130,000 annually, exempt.

This search is focused on a strong operator who balances people leadership with financial and operational performance and who is highly visible in the field. Qualified candidates who meet the experience requirements and live in the San Francisco Bay Area are encouraged to apply.

A shorter version for LinkedIn or email outreach:

Area Director, Multi-Unit Restaurant Operations | San Francisco Bay Area

Field-based, full-time exempt role overseeing multiple high-volume restaurant locations, including airport and tourist-driven sites. Requires consistent on-site presence five days per week and an approximately 50-hour workweek. Reports to senior operations leadership.

The Area Director holds General Managers accountable for sales, labor, cost of goods, productivity, and profitability; develops bench strength through coaching and succession planning; and protects guest experience, food safety, and operational consistency. An owner-operator approach and high field visibility are essential.

Requirements: 10+ years of restaurant or hospitality experience; 5+ years of multi-unit leadership; proven success developing General Managers and driving results in high-volume concepts. Bay Area residency required.

Compensation: $120,000 to $130,000 annually, exempt.

Qualified Bay Area operators are encouraged to app