Restaurant Operations Manager

OverviewOur YOU FIRST PhilosophyIn addition to no night shifts and our fully chef-curated menu, our #1 priority has always been our people. We care about our customers, and we care about you! That’s where our YOU FIRST culture begins – each day, we put our employees first and strive to make them happy. They are empowered with an independence to make decisions that will help provide an exceptional breakfast, brunch, or lunch experience for their customers. In fact, we like to say, we love our employees more than bacon. And that says a lot.A Few of The Perks (and not just the coffee!)All employees are eligible for the following:One Shift - No Night Shifts. Ever. Opportunity to grow your career with a great company and great people!24/7 Employee Assistance Program401(K) Retirement Savings Program (must be employed for 60 days and must be 21 years of age to participate)*As a Restaurant Operations Manager, you will be eligible for quarterly bonus payment based on restaurant's performance. Life Insurance*Short Term Disability*Long-Term Disability*Dental*Vision*Health Insurance*Bright Horizon - back up child and elder care*Spot Insurance*Supplemental Insurance (accident, critical illness, indemnity) *Meal DiscountComplimentary premium access to the Calm App, plus 5 gift subscriptionsUnlimited access to medical and behavioral telemedicine through Cirrus MD Tuition Reimbursement & High School Diploma ProgramPerks at Work (over 30,000 discounts on purchases for travel, fitness, auto event tickets & more)Childcare Discount ProgramPaid Time Off (PTO)Employees must enroll within 30 days for hire and the benefit begins the 1st of the month following 60 days of employmentResponsibilitiesAbout the PositionFirst Watch Managers love mornings and the smell of bacon, and most importantly, they have an innate passion for serving others. We’re not just talking great customer service or amazing food (although customers and food are also high on our list). We hire managers that coach and develop team members who, in turn, fall in love with serving others – and thus the beautiful cycle of restaurant life continues.We have immense pride in our food which is why we don’t subscribe to the old BOH versus FOH management structure. At First Watch, each manager is responsible for supervising both kitchen operations and the overall dining experience.Key ResponsibilitiesLearns and supports our You First culture and core valuesPuts their supervisory skills to work, making sure daily operations runs according to plan and with high standardsUnderstands that we source great food for a reason and that our recipes must be followedKnows the restaurant sales and traffic goals – and works to exceed themCoaches and observes the First Watch Five Steps of Service being implemented at every tableUnderstands the background story of our 10 Commitments – and puts them into actionResponds with a sense of urgency to both customer and employee concerns Communicates and takes immediate ownership of repair and maintenance issuesIs certified in food safety – and identifies and coaches in all areas of safe food handlingIs continuously scouting for and interviewing candidates to join our teamKeeps our company assets secure; including computers, point of sale, security systems and equipmentUnderstands the key responsibilities of every position in the restaurantPuts an immediate stop to any inappropriate behavior, investigates as neededTrains, coaches, and develops team members dailyRecognizes performance that goes above and beyondAccounts for all daily revenues and depositsCompletes our admin duties – and gets required paperwork in on timeWho We AreFirst Watch is the leading Daytime Dining concept serving made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch using the freshest ingredients available. Guided by its “Follow the Sun” culinary philosophy, First Watch’s chef-driven menu rotates multiple times per year to feature the highest-quality flavors at their peak, offering elevated executions of classic favorites, fresh juices like the Kale Tonic, and fan favorites such as the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Quinoa Power Bowl and signature Million Dollar Bacon. For every kid’s meal served, First Watch proudly donates a portion to organizations and causes making a positive impact to our communities – raising approximately $2.0 million to date. A recipient of many “Best Breakfast” and “Best Brunch” awards, First Watch was voted #1 Best Breakfast by Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2025, and also named 2025 and 2024’s #1 Most Loved Workplace in America by the Best Practice Institute – an accolade most recently featured in The Wall Street Journal – after appearing on the list in 2022 and 2023, as well. With a commitment to quality, hospitality and community, First Watch is redefining Daytime Dining across more than 630 First Watch restaurants in 32 states. For more information, visit www.firstwatch.com.First Watch is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, First Watch will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.