Area Director

Area Director - Popeyes

Location: Oklahoma - Multi-Unit / 5-Market Area

Position Type: Full-Time

Travel: Extensive travel between assigned locations required

Position Overview

The Area Director is responsible for leading the overall performance and operational success of multiple Popeyes restaurants across five Oklahoma markets. This position provides strategic leadership to General Managers and restaurant teams while maintaining accountability for sales growth, labor management, food cost, profitability, guest experience, team development, and operational execution.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on, results-driven leader who understands that strong restaurant performance comes from developing great people, maintaining operational standards, controlling costs, and creating an exceptional guest experience. This role requires a leader who is comfortable traveling frequently between locations and can effectively manage multiple restaurants, markets, and leadership teams while maintaining consistent standards and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Profitability

• Develop and execute strategies to drive sales growth and profitability across all assigned restaurants.
• Analyze sales trends, traffic, average check, promotions, and local market opportunities.
• Establish clear sales goals and hold General Managers accountable for achieving results.
• Identify underperforming restaurants and develop action plans to improve performance.
• Monitor restaurant-level P&L performance and ensure financial targets are met.

Labor Management

• Maintain accountability for labor percentage, staffing levels, scheduling, and productivity.
• Ensure restaurants are appropriately staffed based on sales volume and business needs.
• Coach General Managers on effective scheduling and labor-management practices.
• Monitor overtime, manager hours, staffing gaps, and productivity.
• Develop strategies to improve retention and reduce unnecessary labor costs.

Food Cost & Inventory

• Maintain accountability for food cost, waste, portion control, inventory, and ordering practices.
• Review food-cost performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure proper inventory controls and accurate food ordering.
• Hold restaurant leadership accountable for minimizing waste, theft, and unnecessary food expenses.
• Ensure adherence to Popeyes food preparation, quality, and safety standards.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure consistent execution of Popeyes operational standards across all assigned restaurants.
• Conduct regular restaurant visits, operational audits, and performance reviews.
• Maintain accountability for speed of service, food quality, cleanliness, guest service, and overall restaurant execution.
• Identify operational gaps and implement corrective action plans.
• Ensure restaurants are properly prepared for inspections, promotions, and high-volume periods.
• Lead by example and maintain a strong presence in the restaurants.

Scorecards & Performance Management

• Own the overall performance of the assigned area and regularly review restaurant scorecards and key performance indicators.
• Track sales, labor, food cost, profitability, guest satisfaction, operational metrics, staffing, and other key performance indicators.
• Establish measurable goals and timelines for improvement.
• Conduct regular performance reviews with General Managers.
• Recognize high-performing teams while addressing performance issues quickly and effectively.
• Create accountability at every level of the organization.

Leadership & Team Development

• Recruit, train, coach, and develop high-performing General Managers and restaurant leadership teams.
• Build a strong leadership pipeline and identify future management talent.
• Establish clear expectations and provide consistent coaching and feedback.
• Develop General Managers to become strong business leaders who understand their restaurant's financial and operational performance.
• Create a culture of accountability, teamwork, urgency, and continuous improvement.
• Recognize and reward team members who deliver exceptional results.

Guest Experience & Brand Standards

• Ensure every restaurant delivers a consistent, high-quality Popeyes guest experience.
• Monitor guest feedback, complaints, and satisfaction trends.
• Address recurring guest concerns and develop solutions to improve overall satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with Popeyes brand standards, food safety requirements, and company policies.

Area Accountability

The Area Director will be directly accountable for the overall performance of theassigned restaurants, including:

• Sales & Sales Growth
• Restaurant-Level Profitability
• Labor Cost & Productivity
• Food Cost & Inventory Control
• Guest Satisfaction
• Operational Scorecards
• Speed of Service
• Food Quality
• Cleanliness & Restaurant Standards
• Employee Retention & Staffing
• Manager Development
• Food Safety & Compliance
• Overall Restaurant Execution

Travel Requirements

This is a multi-market leadership position covering five towns in Oklahoma. The Area Director must be willing and able to travel regularly between assigned restaurants.

The successful candidate should be comfortable spending significant time in restaurants, working alongside General Managers and restaurant teams, and adjusting their schedule based on business needs.

A valid driver's license and reliable transportation are required.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of multi-unit restaurant management experience preferred.
• Previous experience managing multiple restaurants or locations strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of improving sales, profitability, labor, and food-cost performance.
• Strong understanding of restaurant P&Ls and financial performance.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and develop General Managers.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
• Ability to hold teams accountable while building strong relationships.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Willingness to travel extensively throughout the assigned Oklahoma markets.

What Success Looks Like

A successful Area Director will build a team of high-performing General Managers who consistently deliver strong results. The Area Director will create

accountability around the numbers while ensuring that operational standards, guest experience, and team culture remain strong.

The ultimate goal is to create five markets of consistently profitable, well-run Popeyes restaurants with strong leadership teams and a culture of accountability and excellence.

Leadership Expectations

Lead the people. Own the numbers. Protect the brand. Improve every restaurant.

The Area Director is expected to be visible, proactive, and results-oriented - spending time where the business happens and taking ownership of both the

opportunities and the results.