Leap Brands is hiring: Chief Restaurant Officer in Dallas

About the Role

The Chief Restaurant Officer (CRO) is a key member of the executive leadership team responsible for driving performance across all restaurant operations. This leader will oversee operations, training, guest experience, and sales initiatives to ensure consistent execution, profitability, and brand growth.

The CRO will build a culture of operational discipline, leadership development, and accountability while aligning teams with the company’s long-term strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership: Oversee all day-to-day restaurant operations across corporate and franchise locations, ensuring world-class hospitality, food quality, and brand consistency.
• Profitability & Performance: Drive P&L ownership at every level. Lead cost-control strategies, labor optimization, and margin improvement while supporting top-line sales initiatives.
• Sales Growth: Partner with marketing and field leadership to identify and implement strategies that grow same-store sales, increase traffic, and enhance guest loyalty.
• Training & Development: Build and oversee training programs for all restaurant levels — from hourly team members to field leaders focusing on culture, leadership, and operational excellence.
• People & Culture: Attract, develop, and retain high-performing leaders. Create clear career paths and succession plans for field operations.
• Strategic Planning: Collaborate with the CEO and executive team to define growth objectives, new market development, and brand expansion strategies.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify operational inefficiencies and implement systems, technology, and process improvements that increase speed, consistency, and profitability.
• Guest Experience: Maintain an unwavering focus on the customer — ensuring the brand delivers exceptional, consistent experiences across all locations.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in multi-unit restaurant operations (QSR, fast casual, casual dining, or franchise systems).
• Proven success leading regional or national operations teams and improving profitability at scale.
• Strong financial acumen deep understanding of P&L, forecasting, and operational KPIs.
• Experience leading training, people development, and culture initiatives.
• Track record of improving unit economics and same-store sales growth.
• Strategic thinker with hands-on leadership style and exceptional communication skills.
• Comfortable in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment.

What Success Looks Like

• Consistent operational excellence across every location.
• Strong restaurant-level leadership pipeline and improved retention.
• Sustainable growth in sales, EBITDA, and guest satisfaction.
• A scalable, people-first operating model that fuels long-term brand expansion.