Restaurant Operations Manager

First Watch is a leading daytime dining restaurant concept specializing in made-to-order breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Known for its chef-curated menu and commitment to serving fresh, high-quality ingredients, First Watch operates over 630 locations across 32 states, making it a prominent name in daytime dining across the United States. The company prides itself on its strong community involvement, donating a portion of proceeds from every kid's meal to impactful organizations, having raised approximately $2 million to date. Recognized for exceptional food and hospitality, First Watch has garnered numerous awards including "Best Breakfast" and "Best Brunch" accolades, as well as being voted the #1 Best Breakfast by Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards in 2025. Additionally, it has been named the #1 Most Loved Workplace in America by the Best Practice Institute for multiple consecutive years, an honor acknowledged in prominent publications such as The Wall Street Journal.

First Watch's culture centers around its "YOU FIRST" philosophy, which prioritizes employee well-being by fostering an empowering and positive work environment. Notably, the company strictly avoids night shifts, ensuring team members work only day shifts. Employees are granted independence to make decisions that enhance the overall customer experience. The company offers comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision insurance, life insurance, 401(k) plans, employee assistance programs, and a variety of wellness and childcare support programs. This emphasis on employee satisfaction reflects First Watch's belief that happy employees create exceptional dining experiences for guests.

The Restaurant Operations Manager role is designed for passionate leaders who love mornings and delivering excellent customer service. This position is a crucial part of the First Watch team, responsible for guiding daily restaurant operations while embodying the restaurant’s core values and culture. Unlike traditional restaurant management roles that separate front-of-house and back-of-house leadership, this role combines accountability for both kitchen operations and the guest dining experience. The Restaurant Operations Manager supervises team members, ensuring they receive coaching and training to deliver the famous First Watch Five Steps of Service and uphold the company’s ten commitments.

Key responsibilities include maintaining high operational standards, adhering to food safety protocols, working to exceed sales goals, promptly addressing employee and customer concerns, and safeguarding company assets. The manager also handles administrative duties such as revenue accounting, deposits, and timely submission of paperwork. This role offers the opportunity to earn quarterly bonuses based on restaurant performance and supports career growth within a thriving company. Candidates who thrive in this role are dedicated to creating a positive culture, coaching and developing team members, and ensuring a seamless and enjoyable dining experience for customers.

Working at First Watch means joining a community dedicated to quality food, excellent service, and a supportive workplace culture. The company offers various perks such as no night shifts, employee assistance programs, retirement savings plans, tuition reimbursement, meal discounts, wellness apps, telemedicine access, and other employee discount programs. First Watch is committed to equal employment opportunity and provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. This role represents a unique opportunity to be part of a successful, award-winning restaurant brand that values both its customers and employees equally.