Executive Chef- Upscale Casual

Our client is a premier hospitality group boasting over 70 locations nationwide and continuing to grow its footprint. Renowned for delivering quality-driven dining experiences, this company operates a variety of upscale casual restaurants and steakhouses designed to meet high standards of culinary excellence and customer satisfaction. They have established a reputation for fostering a structured yet dynamic corporate environment that supports culinary professionals in their career growth while prioritizing operational efficiency and guest experience. With a strong commitment to comprehensive employee benefits and work-life balance, this group offers an inclusive culture where innovation is balanced by rigorous standards.

We are seeking a dedicated Executive Chef to lead a busy, upscale casual restaurant concept located in Raleigh, North Carolina. This high-volume role is designed for a hands-on culinary expert who thrives in managing a sophisticated scratch kitchen and steakhouse operation. The ideal candidate will bring at least two years of current experience as an Executive Chef within a full-service corporate restaurant system generating revenue of $5 million or more. This position demands an expert culinary professional skilled in butchering, including hand-cutting aged steaks and fresh seafood daily, alongside deep expertise in executing standardized recipes to maintain operational consistency rather than experimental menu development.

The Executive Chef will play an essential leadership role overseeing all back-of-house operations, ensuring that all culinary activities meet both brand and food safety standards. Beyond culinary expertise, this role requires strong business acumen with a focus on profit and loss management, food cost control, and labor optimization to maintain financial targets. The corporate structure provides a disciplined, performance-driven environment where coaching, mentoring, and team development are highly valued. The Executive Chef will be responsible for hiring, training, and retaining a high-performing kitchen team aligned with the company’s core values and operational goals.

This position offers a competitive base salary ranging from $75,000 to $85,000 annually, complemented by an uncapped performance-based bonus structure which has historically ranged from $15,000 to $20,000 or more per year, paid every four weeks. In addition to the financial benefits, the company provides comprehensive medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance coverage, as well as a 401(k) plan with discretionary company matching of 3% or more. Quality of life is also a priority with three weeks of paid time off offered in the first year, increasing to four weeks after five years, and holiday closures including Thanksgiving and Christmas, with early closure on Christmas Eve. New hires participate in a 10-week intensive paid training program with accommodations provided to ensure successful integration into the company’s culture and operations.

The ideal candidate has demonstrated stability in their professional tenure with minimal job changes in recent years, and relevant experience within upscale casual corporate concepts such as Bonefish Grill, Cheesecake Factory, or equivalent brands. Candidates from contract food service, country club, or hotel backgrounds will not be considered at this time. This position is tailored for a strategic operational leader who can balance culinary excellence with financial discipline and team development within a large, structured restaurant group.