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Restaurant Concept Development Jobs in California

Corporate Executive Chef

Los Angeles, CA

$120K - $130K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

Proven success with restaurant openings, training, and concept development. * Experience in upscale casual, lifestyle hospitality, or high-volume restaurant groups preferred. Responsibilities

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Showing results 1-20

Restaurant Concept Development information

What is a restaurant concept development?

A Restaurant Concept Development job involves creating and refining a unique restaurant concept, including its theme, menu, target market, and overall dining experience. Professionals in this role conduct market research, develop branding strategies, and collaborate with chefs, designers, and investors to bring the vision to life. They focus on ensuring the concept is both appealing to customers and financially viable. This job requires creativity, industry knowledge, and strong business acumen to develop a successful and sustainable restaurant brand.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of someone in restaurant concept development?

A typical day in Restaurant Concept Development involves researching industry trends, analyzing competitor offerings, and collaborating with culinary teams to brainstorm innovative menu ideas. Professionals also work closely with branding, operations, and finance teams to shape the concept and ensure feasibility. Responsibilities may include developing business plans, overseeing prototype launches, and refining concepts based on feedback. This multifaceted role combines creative vision with practical project management to bring new dining experiences to market.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in restaurant concept development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Restaurant Concept Development, you need a blend of creativity, market research expertise, culinary knowledge, and strong business acumen, often supported by experience in hospitality, marketing, or culinary management. Familiarity with industry analytics tools, menu engineering software, and trend analysis platforms is highly beneficial, and some professionals may hold certifications in hospitality management or restaurant operations. Exceptional communication, project management, and collaboration skills help professionals excel when working cross-functionally. These abilities are crucial for transforming innovative ideas into viable, market-ready restaurant concepts that resonate with target audiences.

What are the most commonly searched types of Restaurant Concept Development jobs in California?

The most popular types of Restaurant Concept Development jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Restaurant Concept Development jobs in California?

For Restaurant Concept Development jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Restaurant Concept Development jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Restaurant Concept Development jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Restaurant Concept Development job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Assistant Restaurant Manager | Casual dining restaurant concept

The Restaurant Zone

Palm Desert, CA • On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

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Job description

Assistant Restaurant Manager

Locations: Palm Desert, CA | Santa Barbara, CA | San Fernando Valley, CA

Compensation

  • $60,000–$70,000 Base Salary
  • Quarterly Bonus Program
  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • 401(k) with Company Match
  • Paid Vacation & Sick Time
  • Long-Term Career Growth

About the Opportunity

An established, high-volume casual dining restaurant concept is seeking experienced Assistant Restaurant Managers to join its leadership team in Orange County, Santa Barbara, and the San Fernando Valley.

This is a true restaurant leadership position where you'll gain experience overseeing both Front-of-House and Back-of-House operations while working alongside a supportive leadership team. The company has built a reputation for promoting from within, maintaining exceptional employee tenure, and investing in the long-term success of its managers.

If you're a hands-on leader who enjoys coaching teams, delivering exceptional guest experiences, and growing your career with a stable organization, we'd love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

  • Lead daily Front-of-House and Back-of-House restaurant operations.
  • Recruit, train, coach, and develop hourly team members.
  • Help manage labor, food cost, inventory, and overall restaurant profitability.
  • Ensure exceptional guest service and maintain high operational standards.
  • Oversee opening and closing procedures.
  • Maintain food safety, sanitation, and company standards.
  • Foster a positive, team-oriented culture while leading by example.

Qualifications

  • At least 2 years of restaurant management experience.
  • Experience leading both FOH and BOH operations.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and coaching skills.
  • Experience managing labor, food cost, scheduling, and guest satisfaction.
  • Must be 21 years of age or older.
  • Reliable transportation and ability to commute within your assigned market.
  • Must currently reside in California.
  • Experience in casual dining or high-volume fast casual concepts is preferred.

Training

  • Comprehensive 8-week Manager-in-Training program
  • Hands-on operational and leadership development
  • Ongoing coaching and advancement opportunities

Schedule

  • Typically five 10-hour shifts per week.
  • Two consecutive days off.
  • Weekend availability required.
  • Hands-on operating environment with opening and closing responsibilities.

Why Join Us?

  • Established, people-first restaurant company with decades of success.
  • Strong promote-from-within culture.
  • Performance-based career advancement.
  • Stable leadership and excellent employee retention.
  • Supportive team environment with long-term growth opportunities.

If you're looking to grow your restaurant management career with a respected casual dining brand that values leadership, teamwork, and operational excellence, we'd love to hear from you.

Company Description

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.