What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operating Manager position at Papa Johns?
Operating Manager — Papa Johns | Competitive Salary Performance Bonus
The title says Operating Manager, and that's intentional. Because the best operators in this business don't just run a restaurant, they build a team. They set the culture. They develop people. They create an environment where staff wants to show up and customers keep coming back.
If that's how you lead, we want to meet you.
The Role
You're the heartbeat of your restaurant. From the moment you walk in to the moment your closing crew locks up, you set the tone, for quality, for service, for how your team treats each other and every guest who walks through the door. You'll own the full operation: people, product, financials, and culture.
This is a big job. It's also one of the most rewarding leadership roles in the restaurant industry, because the results of your leadership are visible every single day.
What You'll Own
Your Team. You'll recruit, train, and develop every person in your store. You'll run performance evaluations, handle scheduling, manage conflicts, and build a bench of talent ready to move up when the opportunity comes. The people in your store are your most important investment.
Your Numbers. You'll manage budgets, control food and labor costs, monitor sales targets, and keep your P&L healthy. You'll know your metrics, understand what's driving them, and act on what you find.
Your Guest Experience. You'll set and uphold service standards that make guests feel taken care of, and handle complaints and escalations in a way that turns a bad experience into a loyal customer.
Your Operations. Stock management, safety and health compliance, promotional execution, pricing integrity, you'll keep every corner of your store running at Papa John's standards, consistently and without shortcuts.
What You Bring
- Prior restaurant leadership experience, ideally at the store manager or shift lead level
- Strong people skills, you can coach, motivate, hold accountable, and do all three with the same person on the same day
- Solid financial acumen with hands-on experience managing budgets and sales targets
- A high standard for quality and a low tolerance for cutting corners
- Reliability, composure under pressure, and a genuine passion for hospitality
What We Offer
- Competitive base salary performance-based bonus
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid time off and holiday pay
- Paid training and ongoing development support
Your Path Forward
Operating Manager is one of the most important roles in our organization, and one of the clearest launching pads we have. Our District Managers, Directors of Operations, and franchise-level leaders have overwhelmingly come up through the store. If you want to move into multi-unit leadership, this is where that journey gets serious. We'll tell you exactly what that path looks like from day one, and we'll invest in making it happen.
If you're ready to stop just managing shifts and start building something — apply today.
Requirements:Key Requirements & Qualifications
- Experience: Minimum of two years in restaurant management or supervision.
- Education: High school diploma or GED required.
- Certification: ServSafe or local/state food service certification.
- Logistics: Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and insurance.
- Availability: Must be able to work flexible hours, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays.