Operations Director

Chick-fil-A | Full-Time Leadership | $52,000–$65,000 per year

Lead the Team. Own the Shift. Raise the Standard.

At Chick-fil-A, great operations don't happen by accident. They're built by leaders who care about people, take ownership of results, and are willing to get in the middle of the action to make the team better.

We’re looking for an Operations Director who is passionate about leading people, building strong teams, and creating exceptional restaurant operations. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can move seamlessly between Front of House (FOH) and Back of House (BOH), bring clarity and direction to a team, and turn high expectations into consistent execution.

This is not a sit-back-and-supervise position. You’ll be actively leading shifts, coaching team members, supporting leaders, solving problems in real time, and helping create an environment where people want to work and perform at a high level.

You’ll have a direct impact on how our restaurant runs, how our people grow, and how our guests experience Chick-fil-A.

What You'll Own

Shift Leadership & Operational Execution

• Lead daily restaurant operations across FOH and BOH, ensuring shifts are organized, efficient, and executed to a high standard.
• Set the tone for every shift by providing clear direction, establishing priorities, and ensuring the team knows what success looks like.
• Stay engaged on the floor and in the kitchen, stepping into the areas that need leadership most.
• Anticipate bottlenecks, solve problems quickly, and keep the operation moving during peak business periods.
• Drive speed, accuracy, food quality, cleanliness, hospitality, and overall operational consistency.

People Leadership, Accountability & Morale

• Lead from the front by setting the example in work ethic, attitude, urgency, and professionalism.
• Build a culture of accountability where expectations are clear, commitments matter, and performance is consistently followed up on.
• Coach team members and leaders in real time, providing feedback that improves performance and builds confidence.
• Recognize great work, address performance gaps, and maintain a positive, high-energy environment.
• Help develop future leaders by teaching, delegating, mentoring, and creating opportunities for team members to grow.
• Build strong working relationships across FOH and BOH so the entire restaurant operates as one team.

Labor Management & Business Results

• Manage deployment and positioning to ensure the right people are in the right places at the right times.
• Make smart labor decisions based on sales volume, business needs, team capability, and guest demand.
• Identify inefficiencies, improve processes, and help the team accomplish more without compromising quality or hospitality.
• Monitor shift performance and use operational results to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Take ownership of productivity, execution, and the overall success of the shifts you lead.

Direction, Communication & Continuous Improvement

• Communicate expectations clearly and consistently to team members, shift leaders, and fellow leaders.
• Create structure and consistency across shifts, ensuring the restaurant doesn't depend on one person to run well.
• Partner with restaurant leadership to identify opportunities, implement improvements, and elevate overall performance.
• Help bridge the gap between FOH and BOH, creating better communication, stronger teamwork, and a more unified operation.
• Bring solutions, initiative, and a continuous-improvement mindset to everyday challenges.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who doesn't just see the problems — they take ownership of solving them.

Our ideal candidate:

• Enjoys being hands-on and leading directly alongside the team.
• Can confidently lead a shift, make decisions, and maintain direction when business gets busy.
• Balances high expectations with genuine care for people.
• Holds themselves and others accountable while maintaining a positive team culture.
• Understands the importance of labor, productivity, deployment, and operational efficiency.
• Communicates clearly, stays composed under pressure, and adapts quickly when priorities change.
• Can move between FOH and BOH as business needs require and understands that the entire restaurant is one operation.
• Takes initiative without waiting to be told what needs to be done.
• Wants to develop people, improve systems, and build something better over time.

Restaurant leadership experience is strongly preferred. Experience leading shifts, managing labor, coaching teams, and operating in a fast-paced, high-volume environment will be especially valuable. We are interested in proven leaders who are ready for greater responsibility, as well as experienced operators looking for the right opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Schedule & Availability

This is an active, shift-running leadership position, and the schedule must reflect the needs of the business.

• Full-time leadership commitment.
• Flexible availability across operating hours, including some evenings and closing shifts.
• Weekend availability is required.
• Willingness to work peak periods, support the team when needed, and lead shifts when the operation needs strong leadership.
• A schedule that balances business needs with consistency, reliability, and leadership coverage.

We need a leader who understands that the most important moments in a restaurant don't always happen on a convenient schedule.

Compensation & Benefits

We believe strong leaders deserve a strong opportunity.

• Annual salary: $52,000–$65,000, based on experience and qualifications.
• Free employee meals.
• Paid time off (PTO).
• Scholarship opportunities through eligible Chick-fil-A programs.
• Opportunities for advancement and increased responsibility.
• Hands-on leadership development and opportunities to strengthen your operational and people-management skills.
• The opportunity to make a visible impact on team culture, restaurant performance, and the guest experience.

Why This Opportunity?

This role is for someone who wants to do more than manage a shift — someone who wants to shape how an entire operation performs.

You’ll have the opportunity to influence the culture of the restaurant, develop future leaders, improve efficiency, strengthen accountability, and help create a team that takes pride in doing things the right way.

We want someone who can earn the team's respect, bring energy and structure to the operation, and consistently raise the standard.

If you are a hands-on leader who loves developing people, solving operational challenges, and turning a good team into a great one, we want to hear from you.

Come lead with purpose, build a stronger team, and help us make every shift better than the last.

Chick-fil-A is an equal opportunity employer. Employment details, benefits, and scholarship eligibility are subject to applicable restaurant policies and program requirements.