Operating Partner - Virginia

POSITION SUMMARY 

As an Operating Partner at IHOP, you are the senior business leader responsible for one flagship restaurant. This executive-level role is reserved for accomplished restaurant operators who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, financial acumen, and operational excellence. 

Unlike a traditional General Manager, the Operating Partner operates with a high degree of autonomy while partnering directly with the Chief Executive Officer and executive leadership team to drive long-term growth, profitability, and organizational excellence. You serve as both the General Manager and senior business leader for your restaurant, creating meaningful connections with guests, team members, and the community while building a high-performing culture that delivers exceptional financial and operational results. 

Success in this role is rewarded through a highly competitive Operating Partner Profit Sharing Program designed to recognize leaders who consistently create outstanding business performance. 

OUR PURPOSE AND VALUES 

Our purpose is to create meaningful connections with our people, partners, and communities, leading to continued growth and success. 

Every decision we make supports our purpose and reflects our SHINE Values: 

• Selfless Service 

• Heroic Courage 

• Impressive Results 

• Nurturing Generosity 

• Exceptional Work Ethic 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

Business Leadership 

• Own full P&L accountability, including sales growth, labor management, food cost, controllable expenses, operating profit, and overall profitability. 

• Develop and execute annual business plans in partnership with the CEO and CFO. 

• Analyze financial and operational data to identify trends, opportunities, risks, and continuous improvement initiatives. 

• Build a culture of ownership, accountability, and disciplined execution throughout the restaurant. 

Operations Execution 

• Ensure consistent execution of IHOP brand standards, food quality, hospitality, cleanliness, speed of service, and guest experience. 

• Lead all dayparts with discipline, urgency, and care while maintaining a clean, safe, fully staffed, and fully operational restaurant. 

• Maintain compliance with food safety, health, labor, regulatory, and company requirements. 

• Protect company assets through strong inventory, cash handling, security, and operational controls. 

Leadership and Talent Development 

• Recruit, hire, onboard, coach, develop, and retain exceptional leaders and team members. 

• Build a strong succession bench capable of supporting future restaurant and organizational growth. 

• Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, recognition, accountability, and career development. 

• Mentor other General Managers and future Operating Partners outside the assigned restaurant and throughout the organization. 

Culture and Engagement 

• Bring the company purpose and SHINE Values to life through visible, consistent leadership. 

• Lead Alley Ralleys that align, motivate, and energize the team. 

• Create an inclusive, respectful, high-performance workplace where people feel valued, challenged, developed, and recognized. 

• Drive team member engagement, retention, and leadership effectiveness through consistent coaching and accountability. 

Guest Experience 

• Champion an exceptional hospitality culture that consistently exceeds guest expectations. 

• Maintain industry-leading standards for food quality, cleanliness, speed of service, and overall guest satisfaction. 

• Resolve guest concerns professionally while strengthening long-term guest loyalty. 

• Monitor guest feedback and online reputation and implement action plans for continuous improvement. 

Community and Brand Leadership 

• Represent IHOP and Peachtree Partners throughout the local community. 

• Build meaningful relationships with schools, churches, businesses, hotels, hospitals, chambers of commerce, and community organizations. 

• Lead local marketing initiatives that strengthen brand awareness, community connection, and restaurant sales. 

• Serve as the primary owner of the restaurant's local reputation, culture, and business results. 

Strategic Partnership 

• Collaborate directly with the CEO and executive leadership team on strategic initiatives. 

• Participate in quarterly business reviews and long-range planning discussions. 

• Identify opportunities to improve operational systems, guest experience, profitability, and organizational effectiveness. 

• Contribute insights, innovation, and proven practices that can strengthen performance across the broader organization. 

SUCCESS MEASURES 

• Sales growth 

• Restaurant profitability 

• Labor management 

• Food cost performance 

• Guest satisfaction 

• Team member engagement 

• Leadership development 

• Employee retention 

• Operational excellence 

• Food safety and compliance 

• Community engagement 

• Overall business performance 

SKILLS 

Executive restaurant leadership; entrepreneurial business ownership mindset; advanced financial acumen, including P&L ownership, labor optimization, food cost control, forecasting, and profitability improvement; strategic planning and business execution; executive decision making; organizational leadership; talent assessment and leadership development; succession planning; guest experience leadership; community engagement; executive communication; operational excellence; and proficiency with POS systems, reporting platforms, Microsoft Office, business analytics, and enterprise communication tools. 

CORE COMPETENCIES 

Leading Self 

Executive Presence; Personal Accountability; Strategic Agility; Learning Agility; Communication; Integrity. 

Leading Others 

Executive Decision Making; Business Acumen; Stakeholder Management; Influence Without Authority; Change Leadership; Innovation; Financial Leadership. 

Leading Organizations 

Culture Leadership; Organizational Development; Talent Strategy; Performance Leadership; Operational Excellence; Succession Planning; Enterprise Thinking. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• High school diploma or equivalent required. 

• Minimum of eight years of progressive restaurant leadership experience. 

• Minimum of five years leading high-volume, full-service restaurant operations. 

• Minimum of one year in a multi-unit restaurant leadership role, such as Area Director or equivalent. 

• Demonstrated responsibility for full restaurant P&L ownership and sustained profitability. 

• Proven ability to recruit, develop, coach, and retain exceptional leadership teams. 

• Strong financial, operational, and strategic business acumen. 

• Demonstrated success improving performance through data-driven decision making. 

• Ability to operate independently with executive-level judgment and minimal supervision. 

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Hospitality Management, or a related field. 

• Experience with IHOP or another nationally recognized family dining brand. 

• ServSafe Manager Certification. 

• Experience leading restaurants with annual revenue exceeding $4 million. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Work in the restaurant as the acting General Manager for a minimum of 50 hours per week, unless using approved Paid Time Off or an approved Leave of Absence. 

• Stand and walk for extended periods, typically eight to twelve hours per shift. 

• Frequently lift up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds. 

• Frequently bend, reach, twist, stoop, kneel, climb, and perform repetitive motions. 

• Work in high-temperature kitchen environments and fast-paced dining room conditions. 

• Work safely around wet floors, noise, moving equipment, cleaning chemicals, and variable restaurant conditions. 

• Work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as business needs require. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

This is an executive restaurant leadership role with complete business accountability for one flagship restaurant. The position requires consistent in-restaurant leadership presence and active floor leadership during peak periods and critical shifts. The Operating Partner works with a high degree of autonomy while partnering directly with executive leadership and receiving administrative and functional support from the Peachtree Partners Support Center. 

BENEFITS 

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage based on eligibility. 

• 401(k) retirement plan with company participation based on plan rules. 

• Paid Time Off based on tenure and role. 

• Employee Assistance Program. 

• Additional voluntary benefits, including life, disability, and supplemental coverage where offered. 

• State and local mandated benefits, including paid sick leave and other protected leave programs, in accordance with applicable law. 

• Ongoing support from a dedicated Peachtree Partners Support Center. 

COMPENSATION 

The salary range for this position varies by state, market, and experience. For roles located in STATE, the annual base salary range is $80,000 to $130,000, with final compensation determined based on experience, skills, performance, and business needs. 

In addition to base salary, this position participates in the Operating Partner Profit Sharing Program, a highly competitive performance-based incentive plan. Profit sharing is designed to reward Operating Partners for building exceptional businesses through sustained financial performance, operational excellence, leadership development, guest experience, and long-term organizational success. 

Program eligibility, performance metrics, payout opportunities, and plan provisions are governed by company policy and may be modified at the company's discretion. Participation in the program does not provide legal ownership or equity in the restaurant or company. 

WHY THIS ROLE IS DIFFERENT 

This is not a traditional restaurant management position. It is an opportunity to lead one restaurant as its General Manager with the autonomy, accountability, business influence, and financial upside typically associated with an owner-operator, without the personal capital investment required to purchase a restaurant. 

As an Operating Partner, you will not simply manage operations. You will build a culture, develop leaders, strengthen your community, grow a business, and share directly in the success you create through one of the industry's most rewarding profit-sharing programs. 

If you are an accomplished multi-unit restaurant leader with an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for building exceptional teams and exceptional businesses, we invite you to join us. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY 

Peachtree Partners is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

JOB DESCRIPTION NOTICE 

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Responsibilities may change based on business needs, with or without notice, in accordance with applicable law.