Restaurant Operations Manager

First Watch is a prominent and award-winning daytime dining concept that focuses on serving made-to-order breakfast, brunch, and lunch dishes crafted from the freshest ingredients. Embracing the "Follow the Sun" culinary philosophy, First Watch's chef-curated menu undergoes seasonal rotations to showcase the finest flavors at their peak. The menu features elevated versions of classic breakfast favorites alongside innovative dishes like the Kale Tonic juice, Quinoa Power Bowl, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, and the signature Million Dollar Bacon. With over 630 locations across 32 states, First Watch is dedicated to redefining the daytime dining experience by blending quality food with exceptional hospitality. The company proudly supports local communities by donating portions of proceeds from kids' meals to various impactful causes, raising around $2 million to date.

First Watch is not only a leader in daytime dining but also a celebrated employer, having been named the #1 Most Loved Workplace in America in 2024 and 2025 by the Best Practice Institute, accolades that have been recognized and featured in The Wall Street Journal. The company's culture of care and empowerment is encapsulated in its YOU FIRST philosophy, which prioritizes employee happiness and autonomy. This philosophy is reflected in the operational practices, including no night shifts, giving employees control over their decision-making to deliver excellent customer service and memorable dining experiences. The company supports its staff comprehensively with 24/7 employee assistance programs, tuition reimbursement, wellness resources, and many other benefits designed to promote work-life balance.

The role of the Restaurant Operations Manager at First Watch is integral to maintaining the high standards of both front-of-house and back-of-house operations. Managers at First Watch are passionate about mornings, food, and exceptional service, embracing responsibility for the entire restaurant's operation. They are more than supervisors; they are leaders who coach and cultivate their team, ensuring every staff member embodies the company's service principles and operational guidelines. This includes direct oversight of food preparation processes to honor the integrity of the menu recipes, hands-on involvement in daily sales and traffic goals, swift resolution of customer and employee concerns, and stringent adherence to food safety standards.

A Restaurant Operations Manager is not confined to traditional front-of-house duties but instead takes ownership of the whole dining experience while ensuring the kitchen operates smoothly. They are responsible for upholding the YOU FIRST culture, supervising daily workflow, recruiting talented individuals, managing restaurant assets, enforcing company policies, and fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment. Part of their duties also includes training and development of team members, recognizing outstanding performance, managing financial accountability such as daily revenues and deposits, and completing necessary administrative paperwork timely. First Watch offers its managers quarterly bonus opportunities tied to restaurant performance, reflecting the company's commitment to rewarding leadership and success.

Joining First Watch as a Restaurant Operations Manager offers a unique chance to be part of a company that not only values culinary excellence and customer satisfaction but also deeply invests in employee well-being and career growth. The company's comprehensive benefits package features health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings programs, life insurance, disability coverage, childcare discounts, paid time off, wellness apps, and many other perks that support staff both professionally and personally. Those interested in this leadership role will find themselves working in a supportive, dynamic environment designed to cultivate passion, pride, and professional achievement in the bustling world of daytime dining.