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Director Restaurant Operations Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

... daily restaurant operations - Coach, train, and develop your management team and team members ... Strong leadership skills -- ability to coach, direct, and motivate a team * Strong attention to ...

Restaurant General Manager

Mason City, IA · On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

... daily restaurant operations - Coach, train, and develop your management team and team members ... Strong leadership skills -- ability to coach, direct, and motivate a team * Strong attention to ...

Restaurant General Manager

Waukee, IA · On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

... daily restaurant operations - Coach, train, and develop your management team and team members ... Strong leadership skills -- ability to coach, direct, and motivate a team * Strong attention to ...

Restaurant General Manager

Mason City, IA · On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

... daily restaurant operations - Coach, train, and develop your management team and team members ... Strong leadership skills -- ability to coach, direct, and motivate a team * Strong attention to ...

Team Member

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

$11 - $14.50/hr

Able to supervise and perform closing and/or opening activities as directed by restaurant ... Ability to look at the restaurant operations from a guests point of view * Ability to meet ...

Team Member

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

$11 - $14.50/hr

Able to supervise and perform closing and/or opening activities as directed by restaurant ... Ability to look at the restaurant operations from a guests point of view * Ability to meet ...

Team Member

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$11.75 - $15.25/hr

Able to supervise and perform closing and/or opening activities as directed by restaurant ... Ability to look at the restaurant operations from a guests point of view * Ability to meet ...

Team Member

Ames, IA · On-site

$10 - $13/hr

Able to supervise and perform closing and/or opening activities as directed by restaurant ... Ability to look at the restaurant operations from a guests point of view * Ability to meet ...

Team Member

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$14/hr

... with the Restaurant Managers and other Team Members to maintain operational standards and ... This position has direct interactions with Guests and members of the field operations team. Summary ...

Team Member

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$14/hr

... with the Restaurant Managers and other Team Members to maintain operational standards and ... This position has direct interactions with Guests and members of the field operations team. Summary ...

... with the Restaurant Managers and other Team Members to maintain operational standards and ... This position has direct interactions with Guests and members of the field operations team. Summary ...

Team Member

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$14/hr

... with the Restaurant Managers and other Team Members to maintain operational standards and ... This position has direct interactions with Guests and members of the field operations team. Summary ...

Shift Leader

West Des Moines, IA

$12.50 - $15.50/hr

Able to supervise and perform closing and/or opening activities as directed by restaurant ... Ability to look at the restaurant operations from a guests point of view * Ability to meet ...

Shift Leader

Ames, IA · On-site

$11.50 - $14/hr

Able to supervise and perform closing and/or opening activities as directed by restaurant ... Ability to look at the restaurant operations from a guests point of view * Ability to meet ...

Showing results 41-60

Director Restaurant Operations information

See Iowa salary details

$31.9K

$101.1K

$168.6K

How much do director restaurant operations jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for director restaurant operations in Iowa is $101,140.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,900.00 and $127,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director restaurant operations do?

A Director of Restaurant Operations oversees the daily operations and strategic direction of multiple restaurant locations within a company or franchise. Their responsibilities include managing budgets, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, optimizing operational efficiency, and leading teams to meet sales and profitability targets. They also work on staff training, customer satisfaction, and implementing company policies across all restaurants under their supervision. This role requires strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills, as well as substantial experience in the food service industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director restaurant operations?

To excel as a Director of Restaurant Operations, you need extensive experience in restaurant management, a strong understanding of food safety regulations, and a relevant degree in hospitality or business. Familiarity with POS systems, inventory management software, and financial analysis tools is typically required. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills help you guide teams and drive operational excellence. These abilities are crucial for optimizing efficiency, ensuring compliance, and achieving profitability across multiple restaurant locations.

What are some of the common challenges faced by a director restaurant operations, and how are they typically addressed?

A Director of Restaurant Operations often faces challenges such as maintaining consistent quality across multiple locations, managing labor costs, and adapting to shifting customer preferences. To address these, directors implement standardized operating procedures, invest in staff training, and use data analytics to monitor performance and spot trends. Regular communication with location managers and fostering a culture of accountability are also key strategies for overcoming these challenges and ensuring operational excellence.

What is the difference between Director Restaurant Operations vs Restaurant General Manager?

AspectDirector Restaurant OperationsRestaurant General Manager
Primary FocusOversees multiple restaurant locations, strategic planning, and overall brand performanceManages daily operations of a single restaurant, staff, and customer service
Required CredentialsExperience in multi-unit management, leadership skills, industry knowledgeExperience in restaurant management, customer service, team leadership
Work EnvironmentCorporate offices, multi-location oversightOn-site at individual restaurant
Scope of ResponsibilityHigh-level strategic decisions, brand growth, financial performanceOperational efficiency, staff management, customer satisfaction

The main difference between a Director Restaurant Operations and a Restaurant General Manager is the scope of responsibility. The Director oversees multiple locations and focuses on strategic growth, while the General Manager manages daily operations of a single restaurant. Both roles require industry experience, but the Director's role is more strategic and broad in scope.

What are the most commonly searched types of Restaurant Operations jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Restaurant Operations jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Director Restaurant Operations jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Director Restaurant Operations job openings:

Infographic showing various Director Restaurant Operations job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,140 per year, or $48.6 per hour.

Restaurant General Manager

Freddy's of Iowa

Dubuque, IA

$60K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

WHY JOIN FREDDY'S OF IOWA?

At MLY Investments, LLC, we are passionate about building a true Freddy's Family — where leaders thrive, team members grow, and careers are made. We invest heavily in training and development and promote from within — many of our General Managers started as Shift Supervisors or Assistant Managers!
If you are ready to take your leadership career to the next level in a positive, growing company, we'd love to meet you.

PERKS & BENEFITS

Salary Range: $60,000 to $75,000 base plus bonus

  • Highly competitive salary
  • Monthly & quarterly bonus program
  • Net Profit Partnership Program
  • Next-Day Pay available
  • Flexible scheduling
  • No late nights or overnights
  • Paid time off
  • 401(k) program (for eligible employees — must be age 21+ with 3 months of service)
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 100% manager meal discount
  • Partial gym membership reimbursement — support for a healthy lifestyle
  • Company outings and seminars
  • Opportunities for advancement — we promote from within!
  • Fun, supportive team culture
RESPONSIBILITIES

As a General Manager, you will:
- Lead all aspects of daily restaurant operations
- Coach, train, and develop your management team and team members
- Build a culture of excellence in guest service and food quality
- Drive sales growth and profitability
- Manage financial reporting, inventory, labor, and scheduling
- Ensure compliance with food safety, cleanliness, and operational standards
- Recruit, interview, and hire top talent
- Create a fun, fast-paced, and fulfilling work environment
- Foster a culture of pride, service, and attention to detail


WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
  • Prior experience in restaurant general management or multi-unit leadership
  • Proven success in guest service, team building, and people development
  • Strong leadership skills — ability to coach, direct, and motivate a team
  • Strong attention to detail, quality standards, and organizational skills
  • Financial acumen — experience with inventory, scheduling, labor management, P&Ls, and spreadsheets
  • Aptitude for learning, coaching, and collaboration
  • Focus on driving sales and profitability
  • Positive attitude, team-first mindset, and eagerness to grow
  • Flexible availability — including evenings, nights, and weekends
  • Dependable and punctual
  • Ability to stand/walk for shifts (up to 8-10 hours if needed)
  • Ability to lift up to 55 lbs
  • Comfortable with bending, stooping, and occasional ladder use
  • Ability to communicate effectively with guests and team members
  • Background check required
REQUIREMENTSABOUT MLY INVESTMENTS, LLC - FREDDY'S OF IOWA

At MLY Investments, LLC, we operate multiple Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers locations across Iowa and Illinois — and we are growing!
We believe in creating a true Freddy's Family where every team member is valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. We invest heavily in comprehensive training at every level and are passionate about promoting from within — many of our leaders started as Team Members and grew into management roles.
Our Freddy's Family delivers fresh, made-to-order, craveable food with genuine hospitality, creating a fun and inclusive environment for both our guests and our team.
If you want to be part of a workplace where you can grow your career, make a positive impact, and have fun along the way, we would love to meet you.