Specialty Restaurants is hiring: Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Restaurants / Hos
Specialty Restaurants, Costa Mesa, CA, United States, 92626
With over 15 iconic restaurants-and more on the horizon- Specialty Restaurants Corporation is a privately-owned company with a proud legacy and an exciting future. Our portfolio includes beloved destinations such as Rusty Pelican, Whiskey Joe's, and Castaway , where guests come to celebrate life's best moments against unforgettable backdrops. Recognized time and again for excellence-through OpenTable's Most Scenic Restaurants , Diner's Choice Awards , and numerous regional "Best Of" honors-our commitment to hospitality and memorable dining experiences runs deep.
As we continue to expand and evolve, we're seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who will bring strategic vision, financial leadership, and operational insight to help shape the next chapter of our growth story. This is a unique opportunity to join a passionate, entrepreneurial leadership team and make a lasting impact on a respected brand that continues to define elevated dining experiences across the country.
W hy join Specialty Restaurants Corporation Executive Team?
Top-notch Benefits :
- Competitive salary plus additional incentives including bonus, long-term incentive plan, car allowance etc. Base salary in the range of $290,000-$310,000 depending on experience
- Benefits including vacation pay, medical, dental and vision insurance
- Lifestyle Spending Account, this benefit supports you and your family in numerous ways such as through gym memberships, child care, groceries, student loans & more!
- Company dining package with allotted spending amount each month
- Variety of Supplemental Benefit Plans for life's unknowns
- 401k with annual employer match after 12 months (ER match 25% of the first 5% contribution)
- Employer paid life Insurance throughout the length of employment
- Paid / Floating holidays for 5 major holidays
- Education Assistance Program (EdAP) for hospitality related education growth
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to assist with work life balance
- Management Referral Program with up to a $4,000 payout for qualifying management positions
As Chief Financial Officer, you will serve as a key strategic partner to the CEO, Board of Directors, and executive leadership team-providing vision, stewardship, and data-driven insight to guide sustainable growth across our multi-unit restaurant portfolio and real-estate development pipeline. You will oversee all areas of financial management, capital strategy, risk, and compliance while ensuring operational excellence, fiscal discipline, and long-term enterprise value creation.
This role requires a dynamic and hands-on leader capable of navigating complex, multi-entity environments-balancing restaurant operations, new unit growth, and real-estate investment initiatives under a unified strategic framework.
Job Functions
Strategic & Financial Leadership
- Partner with the CEO, Board, and senior leadership to shape long-term financial strategy, capital allocation, and growth priorities across both operating and development portfolios.
- Lead enterprise financial planning, analysis, and reporting, ensuring alignment between corporate objectives and unit-level performance.
- Drive M&A activity-including financial due diligence, valuation modeling, transaction structuring, and integration execution.
- Oversee cash management, debt structures, and banking relationships to optimize capital efficiency and liquidity.
- Develop and execute financing and capital allocation strategies for new restaurant and real-estate projects.
- Manage external financial audit, financial shareholder relations including dividend distribution, and long-term incentive plan (LTIP) programs
Operational & Analytical Excellence
- Partner with operations to monitor and enhance unit-level profitability, labor efficiency, food and beverage costs, and other margin improvement initiatives.
- Deliver clear and timely financial insights, KPIs, and dashboards that enable proactive data-driven decision-making at both the executive and field levels.
- Implement scalable systems and processes that streamline reporting, forecasting, and close cycles across multiple entities.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and performance management across restaurants, real-estate holdings, and corporate functions.
Governance, Risk, and Compliance
- Oversee all accounting, audit, and tax functions, ensuring compliance with GAAP, state / federal regulations, and industry standards.
- Strengthen internal controls and financial governance across decentralized operations.
- Co-manage insurance strategy and broker relationships, ensuring comprehensive property and casualty coverage and proactive risk mitigation while reducing premium costs.
- Support legal and risk teams in lease negotiation, claims management, and compliance oversight for both operating and development assets.
People & Culture
- Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing finance, accounting, and IT organization focused on accuracy, agility, and accountability.
- Foster a culture of transparency, continuous improvement, and operational partnership across departments.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, President, and Board-translating complex financial data into actionable strategy.
Qualifications
- 15+ years of progressive finance leadership experience, including 5+ years in a senior financial executive and / or CFO role.
- Proven experience in multi-unit restaurant, hospitality, or retail environments; familiarity with real-estate development and asset management strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to oversee multiple P&Ls, entity structures, and growth-oriented portfolios.
- Deep understanding of restaurant unit economics, labor management, and operational KPIs.
- Record of accomplishment leading M&A, capital markets, or structured financing initiatives.
- Hands-on ability in systems transformation, ERP optimization, and business intelligence / data-warehouse environments. Experience implementing and using A.I. solutions a plus.
- Effective communication and relationship-building skills; able to influence across all levels of the organization and external partners.
- Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or related field; CPA and / or MBA preferred.
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic thinker with strong analytical rigor and commercial acumen.
- Entrepreneurial mindset, capable of balancing long‑term vision with tactical execution.
- Skilled in managing cross‑functional collaboration between finance, operations, development, and IT.
- Committed to continuous improvement and organizational scalability.
- Adept at leveraging technology to drive efficiency and organizational scalability.
All job offers are contingent upon successfully passing pre‑employment background check.