Vice President of Operations - Restaurants

Leap Brands•Fort Wayne, IN

1d•$150,000 - $200,000

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced, results-driven Vice President of Operations to lead operational performance across a growing restaurant franchise system. This executive will drive franchisee success, improve unit-level economics, ensure brand consistency, and build the operational infrastructure needed to support continued expansion. The ideal candidate has a strong background in restaurant franchising, a deep understanding of multi-unit operations, and a proven ability to influence franchise partners while maintaining high operational standards. The role combines long-term operational strategy with direct field work alongside franchisees to improve restaurant performance. The Vice President will lead franchise operations strategy and execution, strengthen franchisee relationships, develop the franchise operations support team, and drive operational excellence and brand standards. The role also supports franchise growth, new restaurant openings, financial performance, and strategic planning in partnership with executive leadership and cross-functional teams. Success is measured by growth in same-store sales and average unit volume, improved franchisee profitability and restaurant-level margins, stronger operational compliance and brand consistency, improved guest satisfaction, successful openings, strong franchisee engagement, a high-performing support organization, and scalable systems that enable continued expansion.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive leadership experience in the restaurant industry, including significant multi-unit operational responsibility.
5+ years of experience leading franchise operations, franchise support, or a comparable function within a restaurant franchisor.
Proven experience leading operations across a geographically dispersed, multi-unit restaurant system.
Strong understanding of restaurant-level P&Ls, franchise economics, and the operational drivers of profitability.
Demonstrated success improving sales performance, operating margins, guest satisfaction, and franchisee engagement.
Experience leading and developing field operations teams, including franchise business consultants and regional leadership.
Ability to influence independent franchise owners without direct operational control.
Experience supporting new restaurant openings, franchise system expansion, and operational transformation.
Strong analytical, communication, relationship-building, and executive leadership skills.
Willingness to travel regularly to franchise locations and corporate meetings.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Lead the overall operational strategy and execution across the franchise system.
Drive improvements in restaurant-level sales, profitability, guest satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators, including same-store sales, labor costs, food costs, throughput, guest experience, and franchisee profitability.
Partner with franchise owners and multi-unit operators to identify performance opportunities and implement improvement plans.
Develop operational standards and accountability systems to ensure consistent execution across locations.
Identify underperforming restaurants and work with franchisees to develop and execute turnaround strategies.
Ensure franchisees have the tools, resources, and operational support needed to operate successful restaurants.
Build relationships with franchise owners and operators and serve as an operational advisor while balancing franchisee needs with brand standards and business objectives.
Lead and develop the franchise operations support team, including Directors of Operations, Franchise Business Consultants, and field support personnel.
Establish performance expectations, communication processes, and accountability throughout the operations organization.
Facilitate franchisee meetings, operational reviews, and best-practice sharing.
Partner with executive leadership to address franchisee concerns and strengthen franchisee engagement.
Develop, implement, and improve operational systems, processes, and standard operating procedures.
Ensure consistent execution of food quality, service standards, cleanliness, safety, and the guest experience.
Oversee operational assessments, field visits, and brand compliance initiatives.
Identify ways to simplify restaurant operations, improve productivity, and reduce controllable expenses.
Partner with Training, Marketing, Technology, Supply Chain, and Development teams to ensure operational alignment.
Lead implementation of operational initiatives, technology platforms, menu introductions, and service improvements.
Partner with Franchise Development and Real Estate teams to support system expansion.
Ensure operational readiness for new restaurant openings, including training, staffing, systems, and franchisee support.
Develop scalable processes that support growth without compromising restaurant performance or guest experience.
Support franchisee onboarding, operational training, and new-market development.
Evaluate operational capacity and identify organizational needs as the franchise system expands.
Improve restaurant-level profitability through disciplined management of labor, food costs, productivity, and controllable expenses.
Analyze systemwide performance trends and translate financial and operational data into actionable strategies.
Partner with executive leadership to establish annual operational goals, budgets, and performance targets.
Develop strategies to improve franchisee return on investment and long-term financial health.
Provide operational performance updates and recommendations to executive leadership.
Identify opportunities to increase average unit volume, improve margins, and strengthen the franchise business model.
Travel regularly to franchise locations and corporate meetings.