Executive Chef – Multi-Unit Track

The hiring establishment is a well-established restaurant group known for its legacy fine dining brand with a loyal, multigenerational guest base. This restaurant group reopened in 2021 with a refreshed and elevated dining environment, providing a stable and fully staffed back of house (BOH) team under the experienced leadership of a General Manager for the front of house (FOH). Owned by growth-focused entrepreneurs, this group emphasizes a clear roadmap to multi-unit executive authority, making it a distinguished environment for ambitious culinary professionals. It operates not only a flagship fine dining restaurant but also a newly launched catering program with plans to expand into a boutique hotel food and beverage (F&B) operation.

The role on offer is a high-level Executive Chef position designed for a disciplined operator eager to ascend a clearly defined career path toward multi-unit executive leadership. The employment type is full-time and on-site in Quincy, Illinois, with a salary starting at $55,000 base plus a $15,000 housing package comprising a Brownstones apartment situated directly above the restaurant. This position offers quarterly profit sharing when agreed-upon economic targets are met and includes an additional relocation stipend if necessary. The estimated first-year total compensation package exceeds $70,000, which combines base pay, housing, and profit share potential.

In Phase One, the Executive Chef will have comprehensive culinary authority and operational accountability for the flagship restaurant and the catering program. This performance-driven role demands excellence in execution and growth to directly influence income, emphasizing the importance of effective leadership, menu development, cost control, strict adherence to SOPs, and maintaining food safety and sanitation standards. The successful candidate will be responsible for hiring, training, scheduling, and developing a stable and capable culinary team, ensuring a positive kitchen culture and seamless back-of-house operations.

Phase Two of the role, targeted for 2027, anticipates expansion into executive multi-unit leadership. The Executive Chef will assume culinary oversight of a second restaurant located in a new boutique hotel concept, guiding the culinary identity development, establishing a new culinary team, and protecting margins and operational performance across both locations. This phase offers an increased base salary range of $70,000 to $80,000, continued profit participation, and a documented path toward multi-unit executive authority, elevating the candidate’s influence and reach within the restaurant group.

This opportunity stands out for several reasons including on-site housing provided above the restaurant, performance-based profit-sharing tied to real business metrics, and a well-defined compensation progression from single unit to multi-unit leadership. The established market position with a loyal clientele and strong brand equity ensures a supportive environment for the Executive Chef to flourish. There is direct and regular access to ownership and decision-makers, enhancing the ability to influence strategy and operational decisions. The successful candidate is expected to relocate to Quincy, Illinois, with relocation assistance offered to qualified applicants. Work schedules will require evenings, weekends, and holidays in alignment with restaurant and event operations, alongside the physical demands typical of a culinary leadership role such as standing for extended periods and working in hot kitchen environments.

This role is ideal for culinary professionals with a passion for quality, operational excellence, financial discipline, and strategic growth ambition. It offers a unique blend of autonomy, leadership responsibility, and an attractive growth trajectory within a stable yet expanding operation.