Director of Operations

Hardee's is a well-established fast-food restaurant chain that has been serving communities for over 60 years with quality and delicious food. With a footprint of more than 1,800 restaurants across the United States and presence in 14 countries, Hardee's has built a strong reputation by offering distinctive menu items such as Made From Scratch™ Biscuits and Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders™. The brand is committed to delivering a high-quality dining experience that resonates with its guests and stands out in the competitive fast-food industry. Hardee's dedication to flavor and community creates an inviting atmosphere for customers while continually striving to innovate and expand its market reach.

The Director of Franchise Operations is a pivotal leadership role responsible for overseeing all franchise restaurant operations within a specified geographic region. This dynamic position focuses on driving business growth, improving restaurant performance, and ensuring the achievement of key sales and profitability targets. The Director plays a strategic role by contributing insights and feedback to the brand’s overall strategy, supporting the continued expansion and success of Hardee's franchise locations.

This role requires a visionary leader to provide guidance and accountability to the field and franchise leadership teams. The Director of Franchise Operations ensures alignment and execution of company initiatives by setting clear expectations, coordinating efforts, and monitoring progress through careful follow-up. Working closely with franchise partners, this individual fosters strong, ongoing communication to build lasting relationships based on trust and collaboration.

In addition to leadership responsibilities, the Director oversees the implementation of strategic initiatives, carefully monitoring outcomes to assess effectiveness and make real-time adjustments as needed. They are accountable for developing and driving long-term growth strategies that target both revenue enhancements and profitability improvements, ensuring that operational processes are optimized to meet customer needs effectively and consistently.

The role also involves interaction with multiple internal departments, including Finance, Operations, Marketing, and Human Resources, to create a cohesive approach to business growth and brand development. The Director is an active participant in executive presentations, negotiations, operational meetings, and conferences, representing the franchise network and contributing to high-level decision-making.

This position demands a strong analytical mindset coupled with excellent organizational skills to manage simultaneous projects and priorities successfully. It requires a proactive approach to process improvements that deliver measurable business benefits. The ideal candidate is comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and exhibits strong work ethics, confidentiality, and a collaborative spirit.

Travel is an integral part of this role, with approximately 50% of time spent visiting restaurants and interacting with franchise partners and executive team members. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and a solid understanding of restaurant operations concepts, practices, and procedures are essential to the role's success.

Overall, the Director of Franchise Operations at Hardee's is a strategic and operational leader committed to nurturing the brand’s growth and ensuring the highest standards of franchise performance. This role offers the unique opportunity to impact a nationally recognized brand with a strong history and exciting growth potential.