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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations for a vibrant street-food brand and drive national expansion.
- Company: Fast-growing, culturally rich street-food brand with entrepreneurial leadership.
- Benefits: Up to £110,000 salary, performance bonuses, and hybrid working.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and shape the future of a unique food brand.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-site leadership and franchise operations.
- Other info: Opportunity for career progression to Group COO or Managing Director.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
A fast-growing, culturally rich street-food brand is gearing up for major national expansion and is looking for an experienced Operations Director to help lead the next stage of its journey. This is one of the UK’s most exciting modern street-food success stories. It is a vibrant, youth-focused, design-led concept inspired by contemporary Asian flavours. With bold dishes, playful branding and a loyal customer base, the brand has quickly become a go-to destination for people who want authentic, city-inspired dining.
The business already operates multiple high-performing company-owned sites and is now building a franchise model. The goal is to open more than 25 new locations in the next two years and grow to over 100 sites nationwide. This is not a typical QSR chain. It is a category-defining concept with strong cultural roots, serious momentum and an entrepreneurial leadership team focused on smart, sustainable growth.
The Opportunity
As Operations Director, you will play a crucial role in taking the business from a founder-led organisation to a professionally structured franchise operation. You will build systems, support teams, strengthen culture and inject operational rigour while protecting the creativity and energy that make the brand special. You will lead nationwide performance, work closely with franchise partners and oversee a pipeline of 10 to 15 openings in the next two years. This is a rare chance to join a small, highly impactful leadership team at a pivotal moment. It is ideal for someone who enjoys building, shaping and scaling, not just maintaining what already exists.
What You’ll Do
- Franchise Operations
- Build the full franchise operating framework, including manuals, training, onboarding and audit processes.
- Support franchise partner recruitment, onboarding and ongoing performance.
- Develop strong and commercially focused relationships with franchisees.
- Operational Leadership
- Lead day-to-day operations across the entire network.
- Introduce KPIs covering labour, service speed, food quality, customer experience and profitability.
- Oversee operational readiness for all new openings, from planning to post-launch stabilisation.
- Strengthen supply chain performance and cost control as the network expands.
- People and Culture
- Lead and develop Area Managers, Store Managers and the franchise support team.
- Build a culture that combines hospitality, creativity and high performance.
- Work with HR on recruitment, training, development and retention.
- Commercial and Strategic
- Share P&L accountability with senior leadership.
- Identify opportunities to improve performance and implement action plans.
- Introduce scalable systems and technology to support growth and consistency.
About You
- Multi-site leadership experience in QSR, casual dining or franchise-led environments.
- Strong understanding of franchise operations, ideally with experience on both the franchisor and franchisee side.
- Experience scaling a brand from around 10 sites to significantly more.
- Hands-on involvement with new openings and supporting stores through early trading.
- Commercially sharp, data-driven and operationally disciplined.
- Comfortable building structure, processes and teams from the ground up.
- Calm, pragmatic and energised by fast-paced growth environments.
- A genuine interest in modern Asian food, culture and hospitality is a bonus.
What Success Looks Like
- A consistent and profitable nationwide network.
- 10 to 15 successful openings within 24 months.
- Strong operational metrics and reporting embedded across the estate.
- A high-performing operations team in place and developing.
- A brand widely recognised for operational excellence and franchise readiness.
What’s on Offer
- Up to £110,000 base salary.
- Performance bonus linked to openings and network performance.
- Hybrid working from a London headquarters.
- Clear progression opportunities, with potential to grow into Group COO or Managing Director as the business scales.
Key Details
- Seniority level: Director.
- Employment type: Full-time.
- Job function: Management.
- Industries: Restaurants.
Director of Operations employer: CORElevate
Contact Detail:
CORElevate Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend events, and engage with potential employers on social media. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission, especially in the vibrant street-food scene.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've built teams and improved operations in previous roles. This is your chance to shine as a future Operations Director.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Operations Director role. Highlight your multi-site leadership experience and any relevant franchise operations knowledge to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for modern Asian food and culture, and explain how your background makes you the perfect fit for our vibrant street-food brand.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've successfully scaled operations or improved performance in previous roles to demonstrate your impact.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at CORElevate
✨Know the Brand Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the brand's story, values, and menu. Understanding their unique approach to street food and what sets them apart will show your genuine interest and help you connect with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Multi-Site Leadership Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous roles in multi-site operations. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully scaled a brand, managed teams, and improved operational metrics. This is crucial for demonstrating your fit for the Operations Director role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in franchise operations or new openings, and be ready to explain how you tackled them while maintaining a strong team culture.
✨Highlight Your Data-Driven Approach
Since the role requires a commercially sharp mindset, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to drive decisions. Discuss KPIs you've implemented and how they impacted performance, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
