Area Director — Restaurant Operations

Job overview

The Area Director — Restaurant Operations role is based in Salt Lake City, UT, and supports a portfolio of six to ten restaurants in an assigned market. Compensation is not specified. Cafe Rio describes its restaurants as focused on scratch-made food, hospitality, and quality. The Area Director leads restaurant performance by coaching General Managers, strengthening teams, and overseeing operational and financial results. The role helps ensure consistent standards, guest satisfaction, and sustainable growth across assigned locations.

What you'll do

• Drive operational standards for food quality, safety, cleanliness, hospitality, and brand consistency
• visit restaurants and coach leaders
• lead corrective action plans
• own profit-and-loss performance
• analyze sales, labor, food costs, expenses, and profitability
• develop sales and margin strategies
• recruit, develop, and retain General Managers
• support succession planning and engagement
• execute company initiatives and growth strategies
• monitor guest feedback and compliance.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

area director

salt lake city ut

cafe rio

restaurant operations

multi-unit leadership

general manager coaching

p&l management

talent development

guest experience

food safety

market travel

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Why this role

Requires eight or more years of restaurant operations experience and three or more years of multi-unit leadership experience. Extensive travel throughout assigned markets is required; flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, may be needed.

About the employer

Cafe Rio is hiring for this role. Industry: Full-Service Restaurants. Sector: 72.