Restaurant Operating Partner

Restaurant Operating Partner at Goodwin Recruiting summary:

The Restaurant Operating Partner role involves hands-on leadership overseeing both front and back of house operations to elevate guest experience and ensure business growth. The position requires proven experience in managing restaurant performance, team leadership, and maintaining quality standards in a fast-paced environment. Compensation includes profit-sharing, potential equity, health benefits, and a stable, full-time schedule.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a hands-on leadership role with real influence. You will partner directly with ownership to run the business, elevate the guest experience, and shape the future of a growing, hospitality-driven operation.

Operating Partner Benefits and Compensation

• Profit-sharing bonus paid twice per year, with potential earnings up to 10%

• Potential equity or ownership distributorship tied to bottom-line performance

• Health insurance

• Two weeks of paid vacation

• Stable, full-time schedule with consistent hours

Schedule:

• Approximately 50 hours per week

• Typical shifts between 10 AM and 8 PM, up to 9 PM on weekends

• Two days off each week

Operating Partner Requirements & Qualifications

Must-Haves:

• Proven leadership experience in a full-service or high-volume restaurant environment

• Strong culinary background with hands-on kitchen leadership experience

• Front of House leadership experience with direct guest interaction

• Demonstrated ability to balance kitchen execution with guest-facing hospitality

• Experience managing costs, labor, and overall operational performance

• Comfort leading from the floor and working shoulder-to-shoulder with the team

Day-to-Day Focus:

• Oversee both BOH and FOH operations with equal confidence

• Maintain high standards for food quality, service, and cleanliness

• Lead, coach, and develop managers and hourly team members

• Act as the primary ambassador for guest experience and community presence

• Drive financial performance with an ownership mindset

Operating Partner Preferred Background & Skills

• Experience in scratch kitchens or chef-driven concepts

• Prior exposure to profit sharing, equity, or partnership models

• Strong local community engagement or brand-building experience

• Entrepreneurial mindset with long-term growth goals

• Ability to think like an owner, not just a manager

Keywords:

restaurant management, operating partner, food service leadership, guest experience, profit sharing, culinary management, front of house, back of house, team leadership, restaurant operations