Restaurant Operations Manager-Quick Hire! Position in Cary,NC,USA

First Watch is the leading daytime dining restaurant concept dedicated to serving made-to-order breakfast, brunch, and lunch with the freshest ingredients available. Guided by its unique "Follow the Sun" culinary philosophy, First Watch offers a rotating chef-driven menu that features high-quality flavors at their peak throughout the year. From classic favorites to fresh and innovative dishes like the Kale Tonic, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Quinoa Power Bowl, and its signature Million Dollar Bacon, First Watch prides itself on delivering an exceptional food experience. The company operates over 600 restaurants across 32 states and has earned numerous local awards for "Best Breakfast" and "Best Brunch." Notably, First Watch was voted the number one Best Breakfast by Newsweek's Readers' Choice Awards for 2025 and was named the most loved workplace in America in both 2024 and 2025 by the Best Practice Institute, highlighting its outstanding company culture and commitment to employee satisfaction. First Watch strongly emphasizes its YOU FIRST philosophy, putting employees ahead to create a supportive and empowering work environment. The company avoids night shifts, ensuring that employees work during daytime hours only, and offers fully chef-curated menus to maintain the highest culinary standards. With a focus on staff happiness, First Watch empowers team members and managers alike to make decisions that enhance the customer experience during breakfast, brunch, or lunch service. This culture fosters a close-knit team atmosphere where employees feel valued and motivated to deliver quality service consistently. As a Restaurant Operations Manager at First Watch, you will play a critical leadership role in overseeing both front-of-house and back-of-house operations, embodying the company's commitment to quality food and exceptional customer service. This position requires a passion for morning dining environments, a dedication to coaching and developing team members, and a hands-on approach to restaurant management. You will be responsible for ensuring daily operations run smoothly, adhering to established recipes and brand standards, and driving the restaurant’s sales and traffic goals beyond expectations. The Restaurant Operations Manager is expected to lead by example, championing First Watch’s core values and implementing their unique Five Steps of Service. This role includes promptly responding to customer and employee concerns, managing maintenance issues, securing company assets, and enforcing food safety protocols. You will be influential in team recruitment, performance recognition, training, and conflict resolution, helping create a positive workplace culture where every employee knows their role and feels supported. In addition to a rewarding career path with room for growth, First Watch offers a comprehensive benefits package for all employees. These perks include access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Program, a 401(k) retirement plan for eligible participants, various types of insurance coverage including health, dental, vision, life, short and long-term disability, and supplemental insurance options. Employees also benefit from meal discounts, wellness programs including premium access to the Calm App, unlimited medical and behavioral telemedicine services, tuition reimbursement, childcare discounts, and a generous Paid Time Off policy. This benefits package supports employee well-being both on and off the job. First Watch operates with a strong sense of community responsibility as well, contributing portions of proceeds from kids’ meals to impactful organizations nationwide, having raised over $1.7 million to date. They seek to create a workplace where diversity is embraced, and accommodations are provided to individuals with disabilities, ensuring an inclusive environment for all staff. Overall, working at First Watch means being part of a dynamic and innovative restaurant brand that values its employees profoundly and is committed to redefining daytime dining experiences with excellence in food, hospitality, and community engagement. If you are passionate about mornings, food, and leading vibrant teams, this role offers a fulfilling opportunity to advance your career in restaurant management while enjoying meaningful benefits and a supportive culture.

• high school diploma or equivalent
• minimum 2 years of restaurant management experience
• certification in food safety
• ability to work mornings and weekends
• strong leadership and organizational skills
• effective communication abilities
• capacity to manage multiple tasks and priorities
• willingness to uphold company values and policies