Restaurant Operations Manager Jobs in Arkansas (NOW HIRING)

We're not just another chicken joint-we're one of the fastest-growing brands in the game, built on hand-made food and bold ambition. At Slim Chickens, every tenderloin gets the royal treatment: brined, buttermilk-soaked, hand-breaded, and cooked fresh to order. That same care and craft goes into how we grow our people.

If you've got hustle, heart, and an entrepreneurial spark, this is the place to prove yourself and shape your career. Our team thrives on real connection-working fast, thinking big, and building something that makes an impact every day. Here, you'll be trusted to make decisions, empowered to own your work, and part of a crew that's taking this brand to the next level.

Slim Chickens is growing fast. The only question is-are you ready to grow with us?

To serve as the primary restaurant-level coaching resource within the field operations team, driving operational excellence, brand standards execution, and restaurant capability development across an assigned portfolio of approximately 50 restaurants. The Franchise Operation Coach conducts structured, high-frequency visits to Red and Yellow locations, builds improvement plans, and serves as a day-to-day partner to franchisee operators in the pursuit of moving restaurants from Red to Yellow to Green.

Conduct structured operations visits (4-8 hours each) to assigned restaurants on the approved cadence

Assess restaurant performance across BOH operations, FOH hospitality, food quality, food safety, and brand standards during each visit using the official Slim Chickens ops assessment.

Develop and deliver written improvement plans for all locations following each visit, with clear priorities, timelines, and accountability checkpoints.

Track and report visit scores, trends, and action plan progress to the Field Business Leader on a weekly basis; flag at-risk locations proactively.

Identify recurring operational patterns across the sub-region and surface systemic recommendations to the Field Business Leader for escalation or system-wide consideration.

Validate successful implementation of new menu items, LTOs, system-wide programs, and brand initiatives at the restaurant level during each visit.

Document all visit observations, scores, action items, and follow-up outcomes in the designated field operations tracking platform.

Support new restaurant openings by participating in pre-opening walkthroughs, training support, and initial post-opening visits within assigned territory.

Provide timely, candid, and constructive coaching feedback to GMs, operators, and franchisee principals; recognize and celebrate progress and improvement.

Adhere to Slim Chickens' policies and uphold the highest professional standards across all franchisee, GM, and team member interactions.

Participate in field team huddles, regional planning sessions, and all-hands calls as scheduled by the Field Business Leader.

Slim Chickens systems principles and objectives:Has a thorough understanding of Slim Chickens' established operating systems (e.g., quality, security, office environment, company policies, safety) and recognizes the responsibility to stay updated on these systems and the role this position plays in supporting them.

Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives:This position description is designed to guide the activities of the Franchise Operations Coach. It is not meant to restrict the individual's creativity or limit their thinking, nor does it encompass all the tasks that may be required in this role.

Physical Activities:This role is performed primarily in the field of restaurant environments inside operating. Requires standing for extended periods, navigating BOH and FOH areas, and entering information on a computer or mobile device. May require presenting information to small groups including GMs, operators, and franchisee teams.

Travel:Significant travel required within assigned sub-region, including regular driving and occasional overnight stays. Travel is primarily domestic -Fayetteville, NC, Denver, CO, Austin, TX, Charlotte, NC. A valid driver's license and reliable transportation are required.

Benefits:

• Health insurance

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Flexible Spending Account

• 401(k)

• Parental Leave

• Pet Insurance

• Paid time off

• Life Insurance

• Tuition reimbursement

• Adoption Assistance

Slim Chickens is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all open positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, citizenship status, national origin, marital status, military/veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, and physical or mental disability.

Requirements and Competencies:

Extensive sub-regional travel with regular driving and periodic overnight stays required

Valid driver's license and clean driving record

High-energy, restaurant-level coach who is passionate about developing people, executing standards, and delivering measurable operational results

Demonstrated ability to observe, diagnose, and coach to specific operational gaps at the unit level

Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills; able to establish trust quickly with GMs and operators across diverse franchise groups

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write clear, actionable improvement plans and deliver candid coaching conversations

Highly organized and self-disciplined; able to manage a portfolio of 50 restaurants independently with consistent follow-through

Professionalism and tact in all franchisees, GM, and team member interactions

Technical Experience:Microsoft Office Suite; proficiency with restaurant operations platforms, visit scoring tools, and field reporting dashboards. Ability to quickly learn new systems used across a variety of franchise restaurant environments.

Industry Experience:Minimum of 2 years of restaurant operations experience, experience as a multi-unit or above-restaurant leadership role is preferred (e.g., Area Manager, District Manager, or equivalent). QSR or fast-casual experience strongly preferred.

Minimum Education:Bachelor's degree in Business, Hospitality, or a related field is preferred; or equivalent combination of education and restaurant operations experience.

Preferred Education:Coursework or certifications in coaching, leadership development, or restaurant management.