Director of Operations

Role overview

An established restaurant group is looking for a strong multi-unit operations leader to manage a portfolio of 10 to 20 locations across the Washington, DC market. The role focuses on tightening execution, developing leaders, strengthening guest experience, and improving both sales and profitability across the region.

This position is best suited to someone with deep multi-site restaurant leadership experience who can coach general managers, enforce standards, and create accountability across a dispersed team.

What you'll do

• Direct day-to-day operations across 10 to 20 restaurant sites in the Washington, DC area.
• Support, coach, and grow general managers and location leadership teams.
• Improve sales performance, margin, labor efficiency, cost control, and overall execution.
• Analyze P&L results and put corrective action plans in place.
• Keep guest service, food quality, cleanliness, speed of service, and team performance at a consistently high level.
• Work closely with senior leaders on company initiatives, hiring, training, and market expansion.
• Strengthen the leadership pipeline through recruitment, coaching, development, and succession planning.
• Ensure all locations follow company standards, policies, operating procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Spot operational issues and build practical plans to lift performance across the market.

Qualifications

The hiring team is seeking someone with at least 3 years of multi-unit restaurant leadership experience and a background in overseeing several locations, ideally in fast casual, café, coffee, polished casual, or full-service concepts. A solid grasp of P&L management, labor control, cost management, sales growth, and operating discipline is essential.

Success in this role also requires proven people leadership, strong communication, excellent organization, and problem-solving ability. The candidate should be comfortable being active in the field while also contributing to market-level planning and strategy.

Preferred background

Experience managing 10 or more locations, working in high-volume multi-unit environments, or supporting new store openings and market development would be a strong advantage.

Compensation and benefits

• Competitive base pay
• Performance bonus opportunity
• Benefits package
• Final pay will depend on experience and overall background

Location requirement

This role is based in the Washington, DC market. Candidates should already be located in the area or be able to commute throughout the market.

Industry focus

Fast casual, café, and restaurant operations with oversight across a 10 to 20 location scope.