Director of Restaurant Operations Salary in 2025

How Much Does a Director of Restaurant Operations Make in the United States?

Using our salary estimate methodology, we've determined the average base salary for a Director of Restaurant Operations in the U.S. to be $102,697 per year.

How Much Does a Director of Restaurant Operations Earn Monthly?

On average, Directors of Restaurant Operations get a monthly salary of $8,558.08.

How Much Does a Director of Restaurant Operations Make Per Week?

The average weekly pay for Directors of Restaurant Operations in the U.S. is $2,053.94.

That said, Directors of Restaurant Operations are generally considered "executive employees" under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

This category covers employees who have a weekly salary of at least $684 and whose primary role is managing either an entire enterprise or a department within the enterprise.

Executive employees may be exempt from overtime pay and minimum wage regulations, as per the FLSA. So, it is advisable to inquire about the compensation structure of the company you intend to work for to maximize your earnings as a Director of Restaurant Operations.

How Much Does a Director of Restaurant Operations Make Hourly?

The average wage for a Director of Restaurant Operations is $49.37 per hour.

Director of Restaurant Operations Salary by Location

The average salaries for Directors of Restaurant Operations in specific states or districts vary due to several factors.

For example, in states like New York and Connecticut that have higher costs of living, Directors of Restaurant Operations are more likely to receive higher pay to keep up with those costs.

In contrast, Directors of Restaurant Operations might earn relatively lower salaries in states with lower costs of living like Oklahoma and West Virginia.

They may also receive competitive salaries in areas with reputable tourism industries — such as the District of Columbia and Hawaii.

Explore the table below for the Director of Restaurant Operations salary averages in each state and district.

High-Paying Cities for Directors of Restaurant Operations

Among the four major U.S. cities shown below, NYC is where Directors of Restaurant Operations are most likely to receive the highest salaries.

Los Angeles comes in at a close second, followed by Miami and Chicago.

What Factors Affect Director of Restaurant Operations Salary?

Besides geographic location and living costs, there are a few more factors that often determine how much a Director of Restaurant Operations can make.

Let's go through each of these five other factors.

1. Industry experience

Employers are more likely to offer a higher Director of Restaurant Operations salary who have more years of experience in the restaurant industry — especially in particular types of establishments.

For instance, someone applying to be a Director of Restaurant Operations for a high-volume, luxury hotel and has prior managerial experience in a similar setting may receive a larger offer.

2. Education and additional qualifications

Directors of Restaurant Operations with formal education in hospitality, food service management, business administration, culinary arts or a similar field have higher chances of earning competitive salaries.

Similarly, those who have obtained certifications or completed workshops relevant to restaurant operations may also have more advantages. This is because such additional qualifications serve as further proof to employers that one has acquired the skills and knowledge essential to the role.

3. Company size, type and budget

The scale and type of restaurant operations can also impact Director of Restaurant Operations salary levels.

For example, a Director of Restaurant Operations working for a nationwide restaurant chain is likely to earn more than one who works in an independently owned, single-location restaurant.

Additionally, companies with better financial health are likely to have higher budget allocations for salaries of high-level employees such as a Director of Restaurant Operations.

4. Scope of responsibilities

In conjunction with the previously mentioned factor, Directors of Restaurant Operations who oversee larger teams and/or more locations may also have better room to negotiate higher pay. Directors of Restaurant Operations usually earn more than Managers.

Employers tend to place more value on Directors of Restaurant Operations with the ability to take on a heavier workload. This is especially true for establishments that have higher product and service standards or more complex operations.

So, let's say a Director of Restaurant Operations is in charge of 10 or more locations. This person is more likely to have a higher salary compared to one who oversees fewer locations.

5. Negotiation skills

Given the level of their role, Directors of Restaurant Operations can negotiate higher salaries in various stages, from the hiring process to performance reviews.

Directors of Restaurant Operations play a crucial role in the success of an establishment or company. As such, employers may be willing to offer higher pay to candidates who have effectively proven their skills, experience and contributions.

Benefits and Perks for Directors of Restaurant Operations

Aside from their base salary, Directors of Restaurant Operations also receive job benefits and perks as part of their compensation package.

Some of these help in shouldering expenses or boosting one's overall income; others are designed to foster work-life balance.

Paid time off, health insurance and 401(k) plans are among the most common benefits for full-time employees of various roles in the U.S. hospitality industry.

However, higher-level employees like Directors of Restaurant Operations are more likely to be offered these additional benefits and perks:

• Performance-based bonuses: Bonuses are often given to Directors of Restaurant Operations who have delivered exceptional results that further contribute to the restaurant's success. These bonuses are often tied to team or individual performance metrics that may include operational efficiency goals, revenue targets or customer satisfaction scores.
• Profit-sharing or equity programs: These typically involve giving Directors of Restaurant Operations a share of the company's profits or ownership in the business. They would then benefit directly from the company or establishment's financial success.
• Company car or transportation allowance: These are especially applicable to Directors of Restaurant Operations who travel between establishment locations or business meetings. In most cases, they are also provided a secured parking space.
• Relocation assistance: This may be offered to attract top talent from outside the local area or to facilitate the relocation of a current Director of Restaurant Operations to a new location.
• Education assistance: Some companies offer education support to Directors of Restaurant Operations. These may come in the form of tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance or subsidized access to courses from partner educational institutions.
• Professional development opportunities: Directors of Restaurant Operations could also receive reimbursement for professional certifications or access to leadership training programs. Additionally, the company may send them as a representative at industry conferences.
• Flexible work schedule or arrangement: Directors of Restaurant Operations may be allowed more control over their schedules through flexible work hours or even the option to work remotely on certain days.

As mentioned earlier, Directors of Restaurant Operations are exempt from minimum wage regulations. That said, if you're working in this role, keep in mind that some benefits and perks might directly affect your base salary.

How To Estimate Your Take-Home Pay as a Director of Restaurant Operations

Are you currently working as a Director of Restaurant Operations in the U.S.?

If the answer is "yes," we recommend using the Paycheck Calculator below — which is designed to help you accurately determine your take-home pay on a regular basis.