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Restaurant Controller Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Thompson Hospitality Corporation

Controller

Reston, VA · On-site

We're seeking an experienced Controller to join our Finance team and partner with business leaders ... Thompson Hospitality is of the largest restaurants, food service, and facilities management ...

Jose Andres Group

Corporate Controller

Washington, DC · On-site

Corporate Controller Location: Washington, D.C. (In-Office) Salary Range: $180,000 - $230,000 ... With a portfolio of award-winning restaurants and hospitality concepts across multiple markets, JAG ...

José Andrés Group

Corporate Controller

Washington, DC · On-site

Corporate Controller Location: Washington, D.C. (In-Office) Salary Range: $180,000 - $230,000 ... With a portfolio of award-winning restaurants and hospitality concepts across multiple markets, JAG ...

Jetro Restaurant Depot

Inventory Controller

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$19 - $19.64/hr

JOB DETAILS Job Summary The Inventory Controller is responsible for maintaining accurate inventory records, supporting effective stock management, and ensuring alignment between system data and ...

The Stratagem Group

Controller {S}

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Overall, its historic sites, museums, breweries, restaurants, music and many family fun activities ... This position requires the incumbent to access export-controlled information. If you are not a U.S.

ARKA Group

Controller {S}

Chantilly, VA

Overall, its historic sites, museums, breweries, restaurants, music and many family fun activities ... This position requires the incumbent to access export-controlled information. If you are not a U.S.

ARKA Group

Controller {S}

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Overall, its historic sites, museums, breweries, restaurants, music and many family fun activities ... This position requires the incumbent to access export-controlled information. If you are not a U.S.

Colony Grill

Restaurant Manager

Potomac, MD · On-site

$58K - $65K/yr

Restaurant Manager positions available in our DC market locations in Arlington, VA and Cabin John ... Also optimize profits by controlling food, beverage, and labor costs. Increases sales by ensuring ...

Colony Grill

Restaurant Manager

Mclean, VA · On-site

$58K - $65K/yr

Restaurant Manager positions available in our DC market locations in Arlington, VA and Cabin John ... Also optimize profits by controlling food, beverage, and labor costs. Increases sales by ensuring ...

Street Pizza - D.C.

Restaurant Manager

Washington, DC

$65K - $75K/yr

Ensuring the supply chain and stock control is effectively managed and controlled in keeping with the concept and in line with Gordon Ramsay Restaurant standards * Effective management of targets set

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Restaurant Controller information

See Washington salary details

$62.3K

$135.3K

$198.8K

How much do restaurant controller jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for restaurant controller in Washington is $135,342.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,900.00 and $156,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a restaurant controller?

Restaurant controllers are financial professionals responsible for managing the accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting of a restaurant or hospitality group. They oversee bookkeeping, payroll, inventory management, and compliance with financial regulations. Their main goal is to ensure profitability and financial health by analyzing costs, managing expenditures, and providing financial insights to restaurant management. They often work closely with owners, managers, and external accountants to support business decisions and growth.

What is the difference between Restaurant Controller vs Restaurant Manager?

AspectRestaurant ControllerRestaurant Manager
Primary FocusFinancial oversight, budgeting, and accountingDaily operations, staff management, customer service
Required CredentialsAccounting or finance certifications, degree in business or financeHospitality management, experience in restaurant operations
Work EnvironmentOffice-based, finance departmentsFront-of-house and back-of-house restaurant settings
Employer UsageCorporate restaurants, hospitality groupsIndividual restaurant locations, hospitality industry

The Restaurant Controller primarily handles financial management, budgeting, and accounting tasks, ensuring the restaurant's financial health. In contrast, the Restaurant Manager oversees daily operations, staff, and customer experience. While both roles are essential in the restaurant industry, they focus on different aspects—financial versus operational management.

What are the main challenges a restaurant controller faces in managing financial operations within a busy restaurant environment?

A Restaurant Controller often deals with the complexities of balancing tight margins, fluctuating inventory costs, and labor expenses. One major challenge is ensuring accurate and timely reporting while coordinating with kitchen, front-of-house, and management teams to track sales, control costs, and prevent waste. Controllers must also stay updated on regulatory compliance and implement financial controls that adapt to peak service periods and seasonal changes. Effective communication and a hands-on approach are key to overcoming these challenges and supporting the restaurant's profitability.

What does a restaurant controller do?

A restaurant controller performs accounting duties for an eatery or food service company. As a controller, you oversee all accounting and reporting activities within the business. Your responsibilities include handling financial reporting tasks and ensuring compliance with financial regulations, working on tasks such as tax preparation, payroll, invoicing, accounts payable, and bookkeeping. Controllers also help with budget planning and financial strategizing with restaurant executives or ownership. You can undertake cost comparison activities, perform financial forecasting, and conduct other assessments to improve the financial performance of the restaurant.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a restaurant controller, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Restaurant Controller, you need a solid background in accounting, financial analysis, and hospitality management, often supported by a degree in finance or accounting. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management software, and proficiency in Excel or accounting platforms like QuickBooks is typically required. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with both management and kitchen staff are crucial soft skills. These competencies ensure accurate financial oversight, cost control, and efficient operations within a fast-paced restaurant environment.
More about Restaurant Controller jobs
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Restaurant Controller jobs near you
Infographic showing various Restaurant Controller job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,342 per year, or $65.1 per hour.

Controller

Thompson Hospitality Corporation

Reston, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Thompson Hospitality rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Overview
Thompson Hospitality | Corporate Office
At Thompson Hospitality, we believe strong financial leadership is the foundation of operational excellence. We're seeking an experienced Controller to join our Finance team and partner with business leaders to drive financial accuracy, operational performance, and strategic decision-making across our company.
If you're a collaborative accounting professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys mentoring others while improving financial processes, we'd love to hear from you.
Responsibilities
What You'll Do
As Controller, you will support the Senior Controller in overseeing all financial activities within the Retail Division while ensuring compliance, accuracy, and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
  • Prepare accurate, complete, and timely financial statements.
  • Ensure all accounting activities comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
  • Review and reconcile balance sheet accounts each accounting period.
  • Ensure financial reporting complies with contractual requirements.
  • Analyze income statements and balance sheets to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for improvement.
  • Assist with month-end and period-end close processes and financial reporting.
  • Support the annual budgeting and forecasting process in partnership with operations leaders.
  • Provide financial guidance to business leaders to support sound operational decisions.
  • Educate operational teams on interpreting and utilizing financial statements.
  • Help optimize working capital through effective accounts receivable collection, inventory management, and vendor payment practices.
  • Train and mentor new and existing accounting team members on company policies, procedures, and best practices.
  • Participate in process improvement initiatives and complete special projects as assigned.

Qualifications
What We're Looking For
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
  • Equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience will also be considered.
  • Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting principles.
  • Experience preparing financial statements and performing account reconciliations.
  • Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present financial information to various audiences.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, along with Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license preferred.
  • MBA preferred.
  • Previous supervisory or team leadership experience.

Leadership
This position includes direct supervisory responsibilities and plays an important role in developing and coaching members of the accounting team.
Physical Requirements
This position primarily works in an office environment and requires prolonged periods of sitting, frequent computer use, and regular communication with team members and business partners. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Background Check
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable background and/or security screening.
Who We Are:
Thompson Hospitality is of the largest restaurants, food service, and facilities management companies in the country. We are highly built upon our values, do the right thing, do the best you can, and treat others how you want to be treated, which are shaped by more than 33 years of relationships with our clients, guests, and communities. We offer competitive benefits, see our website for more. https://www.thompsonhospitality.com/
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

What Thompson Hospitality employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Thompson Hospitality

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Thompson Hospitality is the nation's largest minority-owned food and facilities management company. Our services include hospitality, full dining and quick service restaurants, campus dining, diversity consultation, facility operations and maintenance management. We are a family-run organization with more than twenty-five years providing services built on our core mission to provide a positive experience to every relationship we are involved in: one guest, one client, one team member at a time. As a fast growing company, we have a growth plan to more than double in size over the next three years. We are looking for team members who are interested in developing their careers to the next level while joining our team of over 4,000 employees, serving clients in over 40 states to include more than 1.9 million guests each year.

Industry

Hospitality services

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

Year founded

1992

Social media

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