Area Director

Job Description

Job Description

About Us

At Cafe Rio, we don't just run restaurants. We build leaders, develop teams, and create experiences that turn customers into lifelong brand advocates.

We hire operators with the heart of a teacher, the mindset of an entrepreneur, and the discipline to deliver excellence every day. We believe world-class operations begin with world-class people, and we invest heavily in developing leaders who can inspire teams, elevate performance, and create lasting impact.

Our restaurants are built on scratch-made food, genuine hospitality, and an unwavering commitment to quality. As we continue to grow, we remain focused on doing things the right way: developing great people, building strong culture, and delivering operational excellence in every market we serve.

About the Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity to join one of the fastest-growing and most respected brands in the fast-casual restaurant industry.

As an Area Director , you will serve as the senior operational leader for a portfolio of 6 to 10 restaurants within a defined market or geographic region. You will be responsible for driving business results, developing exceptional leaders, strengthening culture, and ensuring consistent execution of Cafe Rio's standards across all locations.

The Area Director is much more than a multi-unit operator. This role requires a strategic business leader capable of balancing financial performance, talent development, operational excellence, and market growth. You will partner closely with Regional and Executive Leadership while coaching Restaurant General Managers to achieve exceptional results.

We are seeking a leader who is passionate about developing people, obsessed with delivering an outstanding guest experience, and driven to build high-performing teams that consistently exceed expectations.

Position Summary

The Area Director leads and develops a portfolio of restaurants while driving profitability, operational excellence, talent development, and customer satisfaction. This role serves as the primary coach and business partner for General Managers and is accountable for delivering sustainable growth through strong leadership, disciplined execution, and effective decision-making.

The Area Director reports directly to the Regional Vice President or Regional Director of Operations.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Drive operational excellence across all assigned restaurants.
• Ensure execution of Cafe Rio standards for food quality, food safety, cleanliness, hospitality, and brand consistency.
• Conduct regular restaurant visits to assess performance, identify opportunities, and provide coaching.
• Lead corrective action planning and follow-up to ensure sustainable improvements.
• Promote a culture of accountability and continuous operational improvement.

Financial Performance

• Own the Profit & Loss performance for assigned restaurants.
• Analyze sales, labor, food cost, controllable expenses, and profitability trends.
• Develop and execute strategies to achieve sales growth and margin objectives.
• Identify business opportunities and implement action plans that drive financial results.
• Ensure disciplined execution of budgeting and forecasting processes.

Talent Development & Leadership

• Recruit, develop, and retain top-performing General Managers and leadership teams.
• Build leadership capability through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.
• Create individualized development plans for high-potential leaders.
• Foster a culture focused on accountability, engagement, recognition, and continuous learning.
• Lead performance management processes that support team growth and business objectives.

Culture & Employee Engagement

• Champion Cafe Rio's values, culture, and leadership expectations.
• Create an inclusive environment where team members feel respected, supported, and empowered.
• Drive emplo