Founding Head of Operations

Location: New York City, NY (On-Site)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Compensation: $150,000 - $180,000 Base Salary Founding Equity Grant

Relocation Assistance: Available for qualified candidates

Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available.

About The Opportunity

We are seeking a Founding Head of Operations to lead the launch, buildout, and scaling of a high-growth restaurant concept in New York City. This is a rare opportunity to join as an early leader and build the operational foundation from the ground up.

The ideal candidate has successfully opened and operated restaurants from scratch, thrives in fast-paced environments, and has a proven track record of scaling operations across multiple locations. This individual will work directly with the founding team to establish the systems, processes, and infrastructure that will serve as the blueprint for future expansion.

What You'll Do

• Lead the operational launch of the first restaurant location from pre-opening through grand opening and stabilization.
• Partner on site selection, lease review, vendor sourcing, permitting, inspections, and regulatory approvals.
• Design and implement operational systems, SOPs, training programs, staffing models, scheduling processes, and performance metrics.
• Recruit, hire, train, and develop restaurant leadership and frontline teams.
• Own day-to-day restaurant operations and ensure exceptional guest experiences.
• Manage full P&L responsibility, including labor costs, food costs, inventory management, waste reduction, and profitability.
• Build and maintain vendor relationships while creating supply chain redundancy and operational resilience.
• Collaborate with founders and technology partners to operationalize innovative kitchen and workflow solutions.
• Document repeatable processes and operational best practices to support future multi-unit expansion.
• Lead expansion efforts as the company scales from one location to multiple locations across New York City.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• 7 years of restaurant operations experience within QSR, fast-casual, or similar high-volume concepts.
• Proven experience designing restaurant operations from the ground up (0-to-1 build experience).
• Experience opening and launching multiple restaurant locations.
• Strong understanding of restaurant financials, including P&L management, labor optimization, food cost control, and inventory management.
• Experience hiring, developing, and leading restaurant teams.
• Familiarity with New York City restaurant operations, permitting processes, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong systems-thinking mindset with the ability to create scalable operational frameworks.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguity and operate effectively in a startup or high-growth environment.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with high-growth fast-casual or QSR brands.
• Exposure to startup environments or founder-led organizations.
• Experience building operational playbooks that support multi-unit growth.
• Background implementing technology, automation, or operational innovation within restaurant environments.
• Prior experience scaling operations across multiple locations.
  
  

What Success Looks Like

• Successfully launch and stabilize the first restaurant location.
• Build scalable operational systems that can be replicated across future locations.
• Create strong operational KPIs around labor, food cost, quality, guest experience, and profitability.
• Establish the foundation for expansion from one location to multiple locations over the next several years.
  
  

Compensation & Equity

• Competitive base salary: $150,000 - $180,000
• Meaningful founding-team equity grant with significant long-term upside
• Opportunity to help shape the future of a rapidly growing business from the earliest stages
  
  

This role is ideal for a hands-on operator who has built restaurants from the ground up, enjoys solving complex operational challenges, and wants to play a key leadership role in scaling an emerging restaurant brand.

Right to Represent

By applying to this position, you authorize our recruiting team to represent you and submit your resume and application materials to our client for consideration. Your application confirms your consent to be contacted regarding this opportunity and verifies that the information provided is accurate to the best of your knowledge.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

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