Operations Director

Parlor Doughnuts Knoxville & Farragut

We are seeking an Operational Director to lead high-volume restaurant operations in East Tennessee.

This is not a traditional Restaurant Manager role. We are not looking for "just a supervisor"

About the Role

The Operational Director will have full P&L oversight and operational control of two of our Knoxville-area restaurant locations (Downtown Knoxville, TN location and Farragut, TN Location), with opportunity to grow into multi-unit leadership as we expand throughout the East Tennessee market. We are actively planning additional locations in the region and are looking for a long-term operator who wants to build something meaningful and scalable.

This leader must be hands-on, disciplined, and performance-driven. We are looking for someone who can:

• Drive operational excellence
  
• Build and coach strong teams
  
• Protect food safety and brand standards
  
• Execute systems consistently
  
• Manage labor and cost controls
  
• Lead from the front during peak volume
  

This is a leadership-from-the-floor role. You will not sit in an office. You will be expected to get "your hands dirty" by frying doughnuts, working barista shifts, running the kitchen line, washing dishes, etc. Not all the time, but enough to set the standard by example. Remember, you are the leader.

Operational Scope

• Full P&L responsibility
  
• EBITDA accountability
  
• Profitability optimization
  
• Labor management and scheduling strategy
  
• Food cost and waste reduction
  
• Catering sales growth and local store marketing
  
• Revenue expansion initiatives
  
• Hiring, training, and leadership development
  
• Performance management and accountability systems
  
• Health department and ServSafe compliance
  
• Cash handling, POS oversight, and financial reporting
  
• Fully trained in all departments on the store level
  
• Ability to successfully run a shift at the store

Compensation Structure

• Competitive level salary based on experience.
  
• Very aggressive bonus structure. (profit share tied directly to EBITDA and P&L performance).
  

This is a high-upside compensation model for leaders who can drive measurable financial results. If you increase revenue, control labor, reduce waste, and grow EBITDA, you will be rewarded accordingly.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years of restaurant management or hospitality leadership required.
  
• 5+ years preferred for senior candidates
  
• Experience in high-volume restaurant, QSR, hotel food & beverage, or hospitality operations
  
• Strong financial acumen and understanding of P&L statements
  
• Open and flexible availability including weekends
  
• Reliable personal vehicle required
  
• Willingness to work 45-55 hours as business demands, and ability to work in high paced/high pressure environments
  
• Proven ability to build culture and hold teams accountable
  

Ideal Backgrounds

• Chick-fil-A Director
  
• Hilton or Marriott F&B Leader
  
• Restaurant General Manager
  
• Multi-Unit Supervisor
  
• Hospitality Operations Manager
  
• High-Volume QSR Executive
  

Growth Vision: We are expanding in the Knoxville and East Tennessee market. We need a leader to take us there. This role has a clear path toward:

• Multi-Unit Director
  
• Area Director
  
• Market Leader
  

We are building a leadership bench for regional expansion. This is a rare opportunity in the East Tennessee restaurant and hospitality job market for a disciplined operator who wants executive-level responsibility with profit participation.

If you are searching for:

• Operational Director jobs in Knoxville TN
  
• Executive Restaurant Leadership East Tennessee
  
• Hospitality Director Knoxville
  
• General Manager jobs with profit share TN
  
• Restaurant Executive careers East Tennessee
  

Parlor Doughnuts is building the next generation of hospitality leadership in Knoxville and Farragut. Serious, high-performance candidates only.