Area Director

Area Director of Operations

Reports to: Director of Operations

Job Type: Full-time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Company Background - Flynn Group

Founded by Chairman and CEO Greg Flynn in 1999, Flynn Group LP (formerly Flynn Restaurant Group) is the largest franchise operator in the world, and the third largest operator of restaurants, after only Starbucks and Chipotle, in the United States. Flynn Group owns and operates more than 2,600 restaurants and fitness clubs across Applebee’s, Arby’s, Taco Bell, Panera, Pizza Hut, Wendy’s, and Planet Fitness brands spanning 44 states, and Australia, generating $4.6 billion in sales and employing more than 75,000 people. More information is available at www.flynn.com.

Company Background - Flynn Panera

Flynn Group | Panera owns and operates over 130 Panera Bread Café’s in 8 states. With annualized sales of over $350M and over 6,000 employees, Flynn Group | Panera is the third largest Panera Bread franchisee. Flynn Group | Panera is a part of Flynn Group, the largest franchise operator in the world, and the third largest operator of restaurants, after only Starbucks and Chipotle, in the United States. More information is available at www.flynn.com/panera.

Position Description

The Area Director provides strategic direction and acts as a primary support for the café management team. Utilizes strong business knowledge to oversee the profitability and customer service of a group of cafes, encompassing several areas. The Area Director manages the daily operations of the area to achieve sales and profit goals, customer satisfaction, and human capital management objectives. Ensures objectives are achieved while operating within all company guidelines, cultural values and following ethical business practices.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Oversees all aspects of the areas business- human capital, operations, finance, facilities, marketing and regulatory compliance.
• Participates in annual budgeting and capital planning process and manages on-going processes.
• Achieves sales, profitability, guest and team member goals. 
• Analyzes all aspects of the business; financial, guest relations, employee relations, marketing, competition.
• Attracts, develops and retains top talent; leverages resources and HR partnership to develop and maintain a robust talent pipeline to minimize open positions and maximize performance, including new hire training and on-boarding, succession planning and development programs. 
• Ensures quality recruitment of management candidates, by participating in the interview process, and approving all management hires.
• Proactively manages performance through regular one-on-one coaching, assistance in developing and reviewing progress on development plans and recognizing accomplishments.
• Accurately appraises the strengths and weaknesses of direct reports, provides specific, timely, behavioral feedback to help identify areas in which improvement is needed  
• Manages the succession process by identifying high performers, delegating projects and development opportunities. 
• Acts as a role model for championing Brand standards. Embraces the "Own It" mentality 
• Shares the company’s strategy and plans, including effective implementation and timely integration of designated tactics.
• Encourages team to seek and share process improvement and innovation opportunities. 
• Participates in cross-functional teams and projects. 
• Follows company policies, upholds professional standards, and performs all work in a manner respectful of others.
• Exhibits a professional image. Promotes and embodies our Values and Beliefs as outlined on the Gold Card.
• Holds, leads, conducts monthly General Manager meetings.

Desired Skills and Experience

• High School Diploma required; College Degree preferred 
• Three to five plus years of multi-unit level restaurant experience
• Three to five plus years of supervision of direct reports 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite of software
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated attention to detail, organization and deadline sensitivity skills
• Demonstrated ability to effectively handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated positive team oriented attitude
• Demonstrated analytical, mathematical and reasoning skills

Additional Position Requirements:

Must live within geographic area being supported; ability to work extra hours (exempt), weekend hours, holiday hours, evening hours, as required; ability to accommodate the likelihood of a variable work schedule from week to week; travel within assigned area and throughout the organization as requested; driving on company business (requires valid driver’s license and auto insurance coverage meeting or exceeding state requirements for property damage and bodily injury).

Compensation Range: $83,200 - $110,000 / year, Plus Monthly Profit Share.

Why Work for Flynn Panera?

Flynn Panera is a growing franchise that offers stability, opportunity for advancement as well as a great environment, training and benefits. We are committed to helping each employee work and live to his or her fullest potential.

For a copy of Flynn Group’s Workplace Privacy Notice, please visit

https://flynn.com/privacy-policy/