Top 10 Director of Restaurant Operations Jobs in NYC, NY – July 2024 Job Listings

Best Director of Restaurant Operations Jobs in New York City (Hiring Now!)

In New York City, Directors of Restaurant Operations earn an average salary of $110,220 a year, which is 7.33% more than the nationwide average of $102,697 a year.

The map below shows the average Director of Restaurant Operations salaries across the U.S.

[Calculated using Indeed, Salary.com and ZipRecruiter data]

This map is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the map to see detailed data. 

NYC offers plenty of opportunities for those looking to advance their career as a Director of Restaurant Operations. Here, hospitality industry professionals can immerse themselves in various dining establishments — from world-famous fast-food chains to Michelin-starred restaurants.

Here is a list of the 10 high-paying Director of Restaurant Operation jobs in NYC that you can apply for right now.

1. Goodwin Recruiting | $140,000–$175,000 per year

[Source: Goodwin Recruiting]

• Position: Restaurant Director of Operations – Fine Dining
• About: Goodwin Recruiting is an award-winning, full-service recruiting firm. It originally focused on hospitality, but has since expanded into other industries.
• Requirements: At least four years of experience as a multi-unit operations director for high-volume restaurants; at least 10 years of overall experience working for upscale restaurant groups in NYC
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Advancement opportunities, paid time off, health, dental and vision insurance
• Where to apply: Visit Goodwin Recruiting’s career page

2. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group | $135,000–$155,000 per year

[Source: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group]

• Position: Director of Food and Beverage
• About: Headquartered in NYC, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group owns and operates over 40 five-star properties in more than 25 countries and territories.
• Requirements: Minimum of five years of experience in food and beverage (F&B) and/or luxury hospitality in a senior management role
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: 401(k)/retirement plan, employee discounts, healthcare benefits, company-sponsored MBA program
• Where to apply: Visit Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s career page

3. Restaurant Associates | $110,000–$115,000 per year

[Source: Restaurant Associates]

• Position: Operations Director, Restaurant Services
• About: Restaurant Associates is a hospitality company that provides F&B services across various settings in the United States — including opera houses, museums, airport lounges and corporate offices.
• Requirements: Minimum of six years of managerial experience; at least eight years’ overall experience working in upscale food service
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Health, critical illness and accident insurance, flexible spending account, commuter benefits
• Where to apply: Visit Restaurant Associates’ career page

4. One Haus Recruiting | $150,000–$175,000 per year

[Source: One Haus Recruiting]

• Position: Opening Director of F&B | Chef-Driven High Volume NYC
• About: One Haus is a hospitality-focused recruitment agency that specializes in servicing restaurants and hotel groups across the U.S.
• Requirements: Minimum of five years of experience in a high-volume, fine dining restaurant, with at least four years of leadership experience; able to frequently lift up to 40 pounds
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Dining allowance, 401(k)/retirement plan, medical, dental and vision insurance, bonus plan
• Where to apply: Visit One Haus Recruiting’s career page

5. Pollo Campero | $170,000–$200,000 per year

[Source: Pollo Campero]

• Position: Restaurant Senior Director
• About: Pollo Campero is a Guatemalan fast-food chain with nearly 400 locations across the globe — including more than 95 stores in the U.S.
• Requirements: Minimum of 10 years of overall restaurant experience; at least five years of executive-level experience within the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry; bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering or related field
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Bonus plan, flexible schedule, employee discount, paid training, 401(k)/retirement plan
• Where to apply: Visit Pollo Campero’s career page

6. Levy Restaurants | $110,000–$115,000 per year

[Source: Levy Restaurants]

• Position: Director of Restaurants & Cafes – Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
• About: Levy Restaurants provides F&B services to multiple U.S. sports, cultural and entertainment venues — such as the Javits Center in Manhattan.
• Requirements: Previous leadership experience in hospitality or retail; bachelor’s degree in hospitality management or related field is preferred
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Flexible spending account, commuter benefits, bonus plan, life insurance, health and wellness programs
• Where to apply: Visit Levy Restaurants’ career page

7. Mina Group | $150,000–$180,000 per year

[Source: Mina Group]

• Position: Director of Food & Beverage
• About: Mina Group is a restaurant management company specializing in developing and operating full-service dining concepts. It was founded by Michael Mina, a James Beard Award-winning chef.
• Requirements: Minimum of four years of leadership experience, preferably in a high-volume, upscale restaurant; previous experience in handling operations with annual revenues exceeding $15 million
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Advancement opportunities, medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off
• Where to apply: Visit Mina Group’s career page

8. CulinArt Group | $100,000–$110,000 per year

[Source: CulinArt Group]

• Position: Director of Dining Services
• About: CulinArt Group delivers dining services for more than 250 clients in various industries like corporate, education, leisure and healthcare.
• Requirements: Minimum of three years of experience in food service operations; previous experience in catering and budget management
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Healthcare and disability insurance, commuter benefits, 401(k)/retirement plan, flexible spending account, employee discount
• Where to apply: Visit CulinArt Group’s career page

9. The Chef Agency | $150,000–$175,000 per year

[Source: The Chef Agency]

• Position: Director of Restaurant Operations
• About: The Chef Agency is a hospitality recruitment firm headquartered in NYC.
• Requirements: Minimum of 10 years of overall experience in hospitality; previous F&B management experience; bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, business administration or related field
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: Relocation assistance, paid time off, 401(k)/retirement plan, medical, dental and vision insurance
• Where to apply: Visit The Chef Agency’s career page

10. Flik Hospitality Group | $85,000–$90,000 per year

[Source: Flik Hospitality Group]

• Position: Dining Services Director
• About: Flik Hospitality Group provides hospitality and corporate dining services in more than 800 locations. It is a division of Compass Group North America.
• Requirements: Minimum of three years of experience in food service operations; culinary or hospitality degree is preferred
• Job type: Full-time
• Benefits: 401(k)/retirement plan, healthcare, disability and life insurance, employee assistance program, commuter benefits
• Where to apply: Visit Compass Group’s career page

Compare the Average Salaries Directors of Restaurant Operations Make in Major US Cities

Among the four major cities in the U.S., NYC offers the highest average salary for Directors of Restaurant Operations at $110,220 per year or $8,558.08 a month. In contrast, Chicago has the lowest average salary at $101,125 per year.

Miami

Annual mean wage

$102,694

New York City

Annual mean wage

$110,220

Chicago

Annual mean wage

$101,125

Los Angeles

Annual mean wage

$109,566

[Calculated using Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter and Talent.com data]

Meanwhile, New York State has the highest average salary for Directors of Restaurant Operations among the 50 states and Washington, D.C. The average Director of Restaurant Operations salary in this state is $109,282 per year.

Visit our Director of Restaurant Operations Salary page for other essential information — such as state-specific figures and factors that affect average salaries.

Director of Restaurant Operations Salary Compared to Other High-Level Positions in NYC

Directors of Restaurant Operations in NYC have a slightly lower average salary compared to Hotel General Managers. However, the NYC Directors of Restaurant Operations do often receive higher pay than other hospitality roles like Executive Chef, Restaurant Consultant and Event Manager.

[Calculated using Indeed, Talent.com, Salary.com, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter and Zippia data]

This bar graph is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data. 

This is because Directors of Restaurant Operations typically hold either a senior management- or executive-level position within the hospitality industry.

For more information on what this role entails, visit our Director of Restaurant Operations Career Overview page.

Factors That Affect Director of Restaurant Operations Earnings

Several factors influence the overall earnings of Directors of Restaurant Operations working in NYC. The most common ones are:

• Experience level: Directors of Restaurant Operations with more industry experience and a track record of success are likely to earn more due to their proven expertise.
• Education and qualifications: A Director of Restaurant Operations with a degree in hospitality management, business administration, culinary arts or a similar field may command higher salaries. Those with certifications or completed training relevant to restaurant operations may also have a similar advantage.
• Local economic conditions: Cost of living, consumer spending and increased competition within the area could lead to more competitive salaries for Director of Restaurant Operations jobs in NYC.
• Company size, type and budget: Companies or establishments with larger-scale operations (e.g., a restaurant group of fine dining concepts) are more likely to have a bigger budget for Director of Restaurant Operations salaries than an independent, single-unit restaurant.
• Scope of responsibilities: Directors of Restaurant Operations who are in charge of larger teams and/or more locations can potentially earn a higher salary through negotiation, particularly if they demonstrate effectiveness despite the added workload.
• Bonuses and other benefits: Beyond their base salary, Directors of Restaurant Operations can increase their overall earnings through other components of their compensation package. This may include executive healthcare plans, performance bonuses, car allowance and other incentives like equity or stock options.
• Negotiation skills: Directors of Restaurant Operations typically have more room for negotiating their overall compensation package, especially if they demonstrate effective skills, credentials and contributions. Negotiations can either be during the hiring process, performance reviews or both.

If you are a Director of Restaurant Operations in NYC, you can try out our New York Paycheck Calculator.

The calculator above is designed to help you accurately determine your take-home pay.

Quiz: Is Director of Restaurant Operations the Right Role for You?

Find out if you have what it takes to be a Director of Restaurant Operations by taking our quiz below.

Legal Requirements for Director of Restaurant Operations Jobs in NYC

A Director of Restaurant Operations must know and adhere to federal, state and city laws on employment, labor and F&B establishment operations.

The important rules and regulations applicable to Director of Restaurant Operations jobs in NYC include:

• Executive employee exemptions: Under federal and state law, Directors of Restaurant Operations in NYC are classified as “executive employees” if they earn at least $1,200 per week. If so, they are exempt from overtime pay and minimum wage regulations.
• Illegal wage deductions: According to New York State’s Division of Labor Standards, it is illegal to deduct restaurant employees’ wages for breakages, cash shortages, fines, losses to the business and/or charges for check replacement.
• Minimum age for employment: Directors of Restaurant Operations and managerial staff can hire applicants who are at least 14 years old, provided that the applicant has an employment certificate or permit. However, the legal work hours for minors (employees aged 14 to 18) vary depending on their age.
• Automated employment decision tools (AEDT): To prevent discrimination, the use of AEDT at any stage of a hiring or promotion process is allowed only if the AEDT has undergone a bias audit within one year of usage and results of the audit are publicly available.
• Pay transparency: Under the Pay Transparency Law, businesses in NY State with four or more employees must disclose compensation ranges for job opportunities, promotions and transfers. This law also protects workers from employer retaliation, should they discuss their compensation with their coworkers.
• Food establishment permit: Directors of Restaurant Operations in NYC are typically responsible for the obtaining of and/or compliance with Food Service Establishment Permits, which must be renewed annually.
• Dram Shop liability: Under the New York Dram Shop Law, any alcohol-serving establishment must refuse to serve alcohol to individuals who are under 21 and/or are “significantly intoxicated.” An establishment may be held liable for injuries and damages caused by these individuals to third parties — such as in altercations or driving accidents.

For a more comprehensive look at state-specific rules and regulations, read our New York Labor Law Guide.