VP of Operations

Toppers Pizza•Whitewater, WI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Toppers Pizza is looking for a VP of Operations to join our Team! Making great food that people connect over. That's our thing. We know we're not flying rocket ships to the moon or signing treaties, but we take our job seriously. We live by a set of core values that pretty much sum up everything about us. We have FUN and we LOVE what we do! Our goal is to be the best pizza company in the WORLD by KILLING IT on every DETAIL of the Customer experience. The Vice President of Operations leads operational performance across the entire Toppers Pizza system, including both company-owned and franchised restaurants. Reporting to the CEO and serving on the executive leadership team, this role sets the operational strategy, standards, and accountability systems that drive sales, profitability, guest experience, and long-term growth. The VP of Operations leads the field operations organization, including the Director of Franchise Operations and Corporate Operations Director. This role is directly accountable for company restaurant results and for the systems and support that help franchisees succeed. It is a highly visible position that requires deep multi-unit restaurant experience, strong financial acumen, and the ability to influence franchise owners, executive peers, and field leaders. The VP of Operations is a full-time, hybrid role reporting to the CEOs. The ideal candidate is located in South-Central/Southeastern Wisconsin or within 45 minutes of our Toppers Pizza Headquarters. This position is based in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and offers a flexible schedule with three days in the office and two days working remotely each week.

Requirements

Must be legally eligible to work in the United States.
10+ years of progressive restaurant operations leadership experience, including 5+ years in senior multi-unit leadership at the Director level or above.
Strong QSR or fast-casual restaurant background.
Experience working in or with a franchise system, including leading through influence with franchise owners.
Demonstrated P&L accountability across multiple restaurants or markets.
Proven record of turning around underperforming restaurants, markets, or teams.
Experience building and leading multi-level operations teams.
Strong analytical, financial, and business decision-making skills.
Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing skills, including with executive leadership and franchise owners.
Ability to travel regularly, including overnight, across a multi-state region (up to 20% of the time).
Valid driver's license and ability to travel independently.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and restaurant reporting systems.

Nice To Haves

Senior operations leadership experience with a restaurant franchisor.
Experience overseeing both company-owned and franchised restaurants.
Executive leadership team experience, including presenting to ownership, investors, or a board.
Pizza or delivery-focused QSR experience.
Experience leading an organization through growth, turnaround, or significant change.
Experience with new restaurant development and franchise development.
Experience implementing technology, operational systems, or process improvements across a multi-state system.
Bachelor's degree in Business, Hospitality, Restaurant Management, or a related field; MBA a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the operational strategy for Toppers Pizza in alignment with company growth objectives.
Set system-wide operational priorities, performance metrics, and goals, and report results to the CEO and executive team.
Serve as a member of the executive leadership team, bringing operational perspective to company strategy, budgeting, and growth decisions.
Evaluate operational initiatives based on measurable business impact, and adjust or discontinue programs that are not delivering results.
Hold full P&L accountability for company-owned restaurants, driving sales, profitability, labor productivity, food cost, and controllable expenses.
Lead company restaurant field leadership, setting clear expectations and holding leaders accountable for results.
Ensure company restaurants model Toppers brand standards for food quality, food safety, service, cleanliness, and guest experience.
Partner with Finance on annual budgets, forecasts, and capital plans for company restaurants.
Oversee the franchise operations function and the strategy for supporting franchisee performance and brand-standard compliance.
Build strong, trusted relationships with franchise owners, particularly multi-unit operators, while upholding brand standards and the franchise agreement.
Establish consistent processes for evaluating franchise restaurant performance and addressing underperforming restaurants and markets.
Serve as the escalation point for significant franchise compliance and performance issues, working with senior leadership and legal counsel as appropriate.
Balance the needs of individual franchisees with the long-term interests of the Toppers Pizza brand.
Own Toppers' operational standards, operations manuals, and field audit programs, and ensure they are clear, current, and consistently applied.
Identify system-wide operational challenges and develop scalable solutions.
Ensure new operational programs are tested, communicated, trained, and measured before and after system-wide rollout.
Lead, develop, and hold accountable the field operations team.
Build an operations organization with the structure and talent to support continued company and franchise growth.
Develop leadership pipelines and succession plans for key operational roles.
Promote a culture of ownership, accountability, hospitality, and continuous improvement.
Partner with Marketing, Finance, HR, Training, Development, and Technology to ensure initiatives are operationally sound and executable in restaurants.
Lead the operational side of new restaurant development, remodels, technology implementations, menu changes, and marketing programs.
Represent Operations with franchisee advisory councils and at franchise meetings and conferences.
Other duties as assigned.