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Restaurant Operations Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

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Restaurant Operations information

See Kentucky salary details

$27.8K

$55.2K

$80.8K

How much do restaurant operations jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for restaurant operations in Kentucky is $55,218.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,800.00 and $59,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are restaurant operations?

Restaurant operations refer to the day-to-day activities required to run a restaurant efficiently and profitably. This includes managing staff, overseeing food preparation, ensuring customer satisfaction, maintaining inventory, adhering to health and safety regulations, and handling financial aspects such as budgeting and cost control. Effective restaurant operations are essential for delivering quality dining experiences and achieving business goals.

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

To thrive in Restaurant Operations, you need experience in food service management, knowledge of health and safety regulations, and often a degree in hospitality or business. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management software, and scheduling tools is typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication skills set top performers apart in this field. These abilities are essential for ensuring smooth daily operations, high-quality customer service, and profitability in a dynamic restaurant environment.

What are some common challenges faced in restaurant operations and how are they typically addressed?

Restaurant operations professionals often encounter challenges such as managing fluctuating customer demand, ensuring consistent food quality, and maintaining efficient staff scheduling. These challenges are typically addressed through effective communication, use of restaurant management software, and regular staff training. Additionally, strong leadership and adaptability are key to resolving unexpected issues, such as supply shortages or equipment breakdowns, while still providing excellent customer service.

What is the difference between Restaurant Operations vs Restaurant Managers?

AspectRestaurant OperationsRestaurant Managers
Primary FocusOverseeing overall restaurant functions, processes, and efficiencyManaging daily staff, customer service, and shift operations
CredentialsExperience in restaurant management, certifications like ServSafeExperience in hospitality, leadership skills, certifications like ServSafe
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, coordination across departmentsFrontline management, direct interaction with staff and customers
Employer UsageRestaurants, hospitality companies, franchise chainsRestaurants, food service establishments

Restaurant Operations roles focus on the overall efficiency and strategic management of restaurant functions, often involving planning and coordination. In contrast, Restaurant Managers handle daily staff supervision, customer service, and shift management. Both roles require similar credentials and work in similar environments, but their scope and responsibilities differ significantly.

What do restaurant operations do?

Restaurant operations involve managing daily activities to ensure smooth service, including overseeing staff, inventory, and customer experience. Operations managers coordinate tasks, maintain quality standards, and implement procedures to optimize efficiency and profitability.

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

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

Restaurant Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Restaurant Operations job openings in Kentucky as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 7% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,218 per year, or $26.5 per hour.

Restaurant Operations Manager

First Watch Restaurants, Inc.

KY • On-site

$65K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 hours ago

First Watch rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 130 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

35th of 88 rated restaurants

Job description

Overview
Our YOU FIRST Philosophy
In addition to no night shifts and our fully chef-curated menu, our #1 priority has always been our people. We care about our customers, and we care about you! That's where our YOU FIRST culture begins - each day, we put our employees first and strive to make them happy. They are empowered with an independence to make decisions that will help provide an exceptional breakfast, brunch, or lunch experience for their customers. In fact, we like to say, we love our employees more than bacon. And that says a lot.
A Few of The Perks (and not just the coffee!)
All employees are eligible for the following:
  • One Shift - No Night Shifts. Ever.
  • Opportunity to grow your career with a great company and great people!
  • 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
  • 401(K) Retirement Savings Program (must be employed for 60 days and must be 21 years of age to participate)*
  • As a Restaurant Operations Manager, you will be eligible for quarterly bonus payment based on restaurant's performance.
  • Life Insurance*
  • Short Term Disability*
  • Long-Term Disability*
  • Dental*
  • Vision*
  • Health Insurance*
  • Bright Horizon - back up child and elder care*
  • Spot Insurance*
  • Supplemental Insurance (accident, critical illness, indemnity) *
  • Meal Discount
  • Complimentary premium access to the Calm App, plus 5 gift subscriptions
  • Unlimited access to medical and behavioral telemedicine through Cirrus MD
  • Tuition Reimbursement & High School Diploma Program
  • Perks at Work (over 30,000 discounts on purchases for travel, fitness, auto event tickets & more)
  • Childcare Discount Program
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)

*Employees must enroll within 30 days for hire and the benefit begins the 1st of the month following 60 days of employment
Responsibilities
About the Position
First Watch Managers love mornings and the smell of bacon, and most importantly, they have an innate passion for serving others. We're not just talking great customer service or amazing food (although customers and food are also high on our list). We hire managers that coach and develop team members who, in turn, fall in love with serving others - and thus the beautiful cycle of restaurant life continues.
We have immense pride in our food which is why we don't subscribe to the old BOH versus FOH management structure. At First Watch, each manager is responsible for supervising both kitchen operations and the overall dining experience.
Key Responsibilities
  • Learns and supports our You First culture and core values
  • Puts their supervisory skills to work, making sure daily operations runs according to plan and with high standards
  • Understands that we source great food for a reason and that our recipes must be followed
  • Knows the restaurant sales and traffic goals - and works to exceed them
  • Coaches and observes the First Watch Five Steps of Service being implemented at every table
  • Understands the background story of our 10 Commitments - and puts them into action
  • Responds with a sense of urgency to both customer and employee concerns
  • Communicates and takes immediate ownership of repair and maintenance issues
  • Is certified in food safety - and identifies and coaches in all areas of safe food handling
  • Is continuously scouting for and interviewing candidates to join our team
  • Keeps our company assets secure; including computers, point of sale, security systems and equipment
  • Understands the key responsibilities of every position in the restaurant
  • Puts an immediate stop to any inappropriate behavior, investigates as needed
  • Trains, coaches, and develops team members daily
  • Recognizes performance that goes above and beyond
  • Accounts for all daily revenues and deposits
  • Completes our admin duties - and gets required paperwork in on time

Who We Are
First Watch is the leading Daytime Dining concept serving made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch using the freshest ingredients available. Guided by its "Follow the Sun" culinary philosophy, First Watch's chef-driven menu rotates multiple times per year to feature the highest-quality flavors at their peak, offering elevated executions of classic favorites, fresh juices like the Kale Tonic, and fan favorites such as the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Quinoa Power Bowl and signature Million Dollar Bacon. For every kid's meal served, First Watch proudly donates a portion to organizations and causes making a positive impact in our communities - raising approximately $2.3 million to date. A recipient of many "Best Breakfast" and "Best Brunch" awards, First Watch was voted #1 Best Breakfast by Newsweek's Readers' Choice Awards 2025, and also named 2025 and 2024's #1 Most Loved Workplace® in America by the Best Practice Institute - an accolade most recently featured in The Wall Street Journal - after appearing on the list in 2022 and 2023, as well. With a commitment to quality, hospitality and community, First Watch is redefining Daytime Dining across more than 660 restaurants in 33 states. For more information, visit www.firstwatch.com.
First Watch is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, First Watch will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

What First Watch employees say

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About First Watch

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

First Watch is an award-winning Daytime Dining concept serving made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch using fresh ingredients. A recipient of hundreds of local "Best Breakfast" and "Best Brunch" accolades, First Watch's chef-driven menu includes elevated executions of classic favorites along with First Watch specialties such as the protein-packed Quinoa Power Bowl®, Farmstand Breakfast Tacos, Avocado Toast, Chickichanga, Morning Meditation (juiced in-house daily), Vodka Kale Tonic and its famous Million Dollar Bacon. In 2022, First Watch was awarded a sought-after MenuMasters honor by Nation's Restaurant News for its seasonal Braised Short Rib Omelet, recognized with ADP's coveted Culture at Work award and named a Top 100 Most Loved Workplace® by Newsweek and the Best Practice Institute. In 2021, First Watch was recognized as FSR Magazine's Best Menu and as the fastest-growing full-service restaurant chain based on unit growth. There are more than 470 First Watch restaurants in 29 states and the restaurant concept is majority owned by Advent International, one of the world's largest private-equity firms.

Industry

Food and beverage stores

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Bradenton, FL, US

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