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Restaurant Operations Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Restaurant Shift Lead

Louisville, KY ยท On-site

$17 - $21/hr

The Restaurant Shift Lead follows standard operational procedures for living the QDOBA Brand Values and helping the brand thrive. Focus is on influencing guest-centric culture that consistently ...

Restaurant Shift Lead

Louisville, KY ยท On-site

$17 - $21/hr

The Restaurant Shift Lead follows standard operational procedures for living the QDOBA Brand Values and helping the brand thrive. Focus is on influencing guest-centric culture that consistently ...

Restaurant Shift Lead

Louisville, KY ยท On-site

$17 - $21/hr

The Restaurant Shift Lead follows standard operational procedures for living the QDOBA Brand Values and helping the brand thrive. Focus is on influencing guest-centric culture that consistently ...

Restaurant Shift Lead

Louisville, KY ยท On-site

$17 - $21/hr

The Restaurant Shift Lead follows standard operational procedures for living the QDOBA Brand Values and helping the brand thrive. Focus is on influencing guest-centric culture that consistently ...

Restaurant Shift Lead

Georgetown, KY ยท On-site

$17 - $21/hr

The Restaurant Shift Lead follows standard operational procedures for living the QDOBA Brand Values and helping the brand thrive. Focus is on influencing guest-centric culture that consistently ...

Restaurant Shift Lead

Louisville, KY ยท On-site

$17 - $21/hr

The Restaurant Shift Lead follows standard operational procedures for living the QDOBA Brand Values and helping the brand thrive. Focus is on influencing guest-centric culture that consistently ...

Restaurant Shift Lead

Lexington, KY ยท On-site

$17 - $21/hr

The Restaurant Shift Lead follows standard operational procedures for living the QDOBA Brand Values and helping the brand thrive. Focus is on influencing guest-centric culture that consistently ...

Restaurant Shift Lead

Richmond, KY ยท On-site

$17 - $21/hr

The Restaurant Shift Lead follows standard operational procedures for living the QDOBA Brand Values and helping the brand thrive. Focus is on influencing guest-centric culture that consistently ...

Restaurant Shift Lead

Frankfort, KY ยท On-site

$17 - $21/hr

The Restaurant Shift Lead follows standard operational procedures for living the QDOBA Brand Values and helping the brand thrive. Focus is on influencing guest-centric culture that consistently ...

Restaurant Manager

Richmond, KY ยท On-site

$52K - $61K/yr

As a Restaurant Manager, you will be responsible for leading restaurant operations with a focus on delivering high quality seafood and beverage service while maximizing our guest satisfaction. You ...

Restaurant Manager

Richmond, KY ยท On-site

$52K - $61K/yr

As a Restaurant Manager, you will be responsible for leading restaurant operations with a focus on delivering high quality seafood and beverage service while maximizing our guest satisfaction. You ...

Restaurant Manager

Bowling Green, KY ยท On-site

$56K - $65K/yr

As a Restaurant Manager, you will be responsible for leading restaurant operations with a focus on delivering high quality seafood and beverage service while maximizing our guest satisfaction. You ...

Restaurant Manager

Richmond, KY ยท On-site

$52K - $61K/yr

As a Restaurant Manager, you will be responsible for leading restaurant operations with a focus on delivering high quality seafood and beverage service while maximizing our guest satisfaction. You ...

Restaurant Shift Lead

Louisville, KY ยท On-site

$17 - $21/hr

The Restaurant Shift Lead follows standard operational procedures for living the QDOBA Brand Values and helping the brand thrive. Focus is on influencing guest-centric culture that consistently ...

Restaurant Shift Lead

Louisville, KY ยท On-site

$17 - $21/hr

The Restaurant Shift Lead follows standard operational procedures for living the QDOBA Brand Values and helping the brand thrive. Focus is on influencing guest-centric culture that consistently ...

Restaurant Shift Lead

Louisville, KY ยท On-site

$17 - $21/hr

The Restaurant Shift Lead follows standard operational procedures for living the QDOBA Brand Values and helping the brand thrive. Focus is on influencing guest-centric culture that consistently ...

As a Restaurant Manager, you will be responsible for leading restaurant operations with a focus on delivering high quality seafood and beverage service while maximizing our guest satisfaction. You ...

Restaurant Manager

Bowling Green, KY ยท On-site

$56K - $65K/yr

As a Restaurant Manager, you will be responsible for leading restaurant operations with a focus on delivering high quality seafood and beverage service while maximizing our guest satisfaction. You ...

Restaurant Manager

Bowling Green, KY ยท On-site

$56K - $65K/yr

As a Restaurant Manager, you will be responsible for leading restaurant operations with a focus on delivering high quality seafood and beverage service while maximizing our guest satisfaction. You ...

Showing results 41-60

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 18, 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:

Infographic showing various Restaurant Operations job openings in Kentucky as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,218 per year, or $26.5 per hour.

Restaurant Shift Lead

Qdoba

Louisville, KY โ€ข On-site

$17 - $21/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

RESTAURANT SHIFT LEAD POSITION SUMMARY:

The Restaurant Shift Lead at QDOBA is responsible for executing restaurant operations, in conjunction with the General Manager. The Restaurant Shift Lead follows standard operational procedures for living the QDOBA Brand Values and helping the brand thrive. Focus is on influencing guest-centric culture that consistently delivers excellent guest service and food quality while ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

At Qdoba, we bring flavor to peoples’ lives. This means we highly value the diversity, and flavor, our employees bring to the table.

Pay Range: $17 - $21 per hour including hourly tip pool

Benefits:

  • Free Shift Meals and Employee Discounts
  • Medical, Dental, & Vision for eligible employees
  • PTO (including vacation and sick where eligible)
  • Tuition reimbursement

KEY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Maintains brand image by ensuring restaurant cleanliness, maintenance, and excellent service.
  • Treats all team members with respect and dignity.
  • Follows company guidelines and executes protocols for daily activities to achieve excellence in restaurant operational performance.
  • Encourages restaurant teams to consistently deliver excellent guest service and food quality in adherence with brand systems, procedures, and food safety requirements to provide a craveable guest experience.
  • Work with other team members to deliver long term sales growth initiatives designed to drive profitable sales growth.
  • Reviews, practices, and modifies as needed to continuously improve the guest experience.
  • Supports General Manager to Identify and train internal candidates for Shift Lead positions.
  • Assist in the training, of employees and ensures operations are executed per company operational standards.
  • Interacts with guests and the community; responds to guest questions, concerns, and complaints in a timely and professional manner to ensure positive resolution and guest recovery. Promptly escalates concerns to the General Manager.
  • Assists the General Manager in using management information tools to analyze restaurant operational and financial performance.
  • Helps identify trends and assist actions for improvement.
  • Monitors costs and adherence to budget and restaurant goals.
  • Complies with all State and Federal labor laws and regulations.

The Restaurant Shift Lead will help to support the company by maintaining an outstanding work environment through positive attitude, hospitality to guest and teammates and excellent operational performance.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent required; age requirements may apply in order to remain in compliance with State and Federal laws. Must be at least 18 years old.

Experience:

  • 6+ months of restaurant operations experience.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

  • Must complete Shift Lead training classes, and in certain states, must be ServSafe certified.
  • Ability to communicate in English is required, Spanish comprehension is helpful.
  • Fundamental reading, writing, math and computer/POS skills are required.
  • Must have access to adequate transportation.

Physical Requirements:

  • May be required to reach, bend, stoop, climb, and/or lift up to 50 pounds.
  • May be required to operate/access equipment at standard heights while walking or standing during entire shift.
  • Must be willing to work a variety of shifts, sometimes exceeding beyond eight hours, based on operating hours.
  • Must be able to work weekends and holidays.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

North Fork Fresh Mex LLC Qdoba and its affiliates will make reasonable accommodations to allow a qualified individual with a disability to enjoy equal employment opportunities and to perform the essential functions of the job. This position description should be applied accordingly.

QDOBA takes pride in carefully selecting talented people and mixing them together to discover amazing flavors. We value the diversity that all our employees bring to the table and the new flavors they bring to our team. Employment decisions and rewards recognize job accountabilities, business needs, and performance merit without regard to age, gender, race, religious affiliation, Veteran status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected classification recognized by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Privacy Policy:

https://www.qdoba.com/privacy