Cape Town Region: Chief Operating Officer (Restaurant Group) – Cape Town posted by Phoenix Recruitment

National Restaurant Group is looking for a dynamic Chief Operating Officer (COO) responsible for the overall operational performance , strategic execution and sustainable growth of the restaurant portfolio. This role provides executive oversight of all restaurant operations across the group, ensuring the consistent delivery of exceptional guest experiences , strong financial performance and operational excellence across corporate restaurants and franchise operations. Working closely with the CEO and executive leadership team, the COO will drive operational strategy , oversee expansion initiatives both locally and internationally and ensure that the division continues to grow responsibly while protecting the integrity and reputation of the restaurant brands. The COO is also responsible for building scalable operational systems , strengthening leadership capacity within the business, and ensuring that all restaurants operate efficiently, profitably and in line with brand standards. Duties: Operational Leadership: Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across all Restaurants. Ensure operational excellence across all restaurant locations through the consistent application of policies, procedures, and service standards. Develop and implement operational frameworks, systems, and KPIs that support profitability, efficiency, and scalability. Monitor restaurant performance and ensure corrective action plans are implemented where required. Ensure a consistent and high-quality guest experience across all restaurants in the portfolio. Oversee food quality, service standards, cleanliness, and operational compliance across all sites. Support restaurant leadership teams in achieving operational excellence and sustainable performance. Expansion Oversight (Local and International): The COO plays a central role in the expansion and development of the Restaurants portfolio. Partner with the CEO and New Business Manager to identify, evaluate, and execute expansion opportunities. Contribute to the strategic planning of new restaurant developments, acquisitions, and brand expansion initiatives. Support the evaluation and approval of potential locations, including feasibility studies, financial modelling, and operational readiness. Provide operational guidance in the development of new restaurant concepts or the adaptation of existing brands for new markets. Oversee the operational readiness of new restaurant openings, ensuring successful launches and smooth integration into the portfolio. Assist in identifying opportunities for local, regional, and international growth aligned with the group’s strategic objectives. Franchise Oversight: The COO will oversee the franchise operations within the Restaurant portfolio, ensuring alignment with corporate standards and brand integrity. Ensuring franchise partners operate in line with brand standards, SOPs, and operational guidelines. Supporting franchise partners with operational best practices and performance improvement strategies. Monitoring franchise compliance, service delivery, and financial performance. Assisting in the development and implementation of franchise operating frameworks and support systems. Financial & Performance Management: Work closely with the CFO to ensure financial discipline and operational profitability across all restaurants. Review and monitor restaurant-level financial performance including revenue, cost of sales, labour costs, and profitability. Contribute to budgeting, forecasting, and operational financial planning. Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiencies and margins without compromising service quality. Provide operational insights to support capital investment decisions and expansion planning. People & Talent Leadership: Provide leadership and mentorship to the operations management team, including Area Managers and General Managers. Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and high performance across the organisation. Work closely with the Human Resources and Training Managers to develop training, leadership development, and succession planning initiatives. Support the development of future operational leaders within the restaurant division. Promote a positive and inclusive working environment aligned with group’s values and culture. Strategic Planning & Execution: Support the CEO in the development and implementation of the long-term strategic direction of the Restaurants. Translate strategic priorities into clear operational plans and execution frameworks. Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies. Lead operational change initiatives aimed at improving performance, innovation, and scalability. Ensure that operational systems and structures support the future growth of the business. Governance, Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensure full compliance with all regulatory, labour, health, safety, and hygiene standards across the restaurant portfolio. Maintain strong operational controls and reporting standards. Ensure restaurants remain audit-ready and compliant with industry regulations. Uphold corporate governance principles across both corporate and franchise operations. Promote a culture of accountability, safety, and ethical conduct across all operations. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Achievement of operational performance targets across all restaurants. Revenue growth and profitability improvement across the portfolio. Successful execution of expansion projects and new restaurant openings. Maintenance of strong guest satisfaction/reviews. High compliance standards across health, safety, and regulatory requirements. Strong employee engagement, retention, and leadership development across operations. Effective operational support of franchise partners. Requirements: A qualification in Hospitality Management, Restaurant Operations Management, or a related field. Minimum of 10 years senior leadership experience in multi-site restaurant or hospitality operations. Demonstrated experience managing complex restaurant portfolios or hospitality operations. Proven experience in restaurant expansion, franchise operations, or multi-unit growth strategies is highly advantageous. Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and operational financial analysis. Strong strategic and operational leadership capability. Deep understanding of restaurant operations, service standards, and guest experience management. Excellent financial acumen and analytical decision-making ability. Strong stakeholder management and communication skills. Experience in franchise management and brand compliance frameworks. Ability to manage complex operations across multiple locations. Strong project and expansion management capabilities. High levels of integrity, professionalism, and accountability. Strong leadership presence with the ability to inspire and motivate teams. A passion for hospitality and delivering exceptional guest experiences. Strategic thinking combined with practical operational execution Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, growth-focused environment. A collaborative leadership style that builds strong internal and external relationships