VP, Turnpike Operations (Restaurants)

Job Title: Regional VP of Turnpike Operations

Reports To: CEO

Status: Exempt

Department: Operations

Date: May 2025

Broad Functions: Lead and oversee turnpike operations business, focusing on delivering exceptional financial and operational results while building a strong culture and developing future leaders. Drive the achievement of key objectives including sales, costs, associate retention, guest satisfaction, food quality, and sanitation at Areas USA. Create and monitor action plans to exceed financial targets while maintaining strong client relationships and fostering a best-in-class work environment that ensures sustainable growth and operational success.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Create, develop and execute business strategies to reach organizational financial goals and objectives.

2. Lead business reviews for staffing and budget guidelines in conjunction with annual financial statements.

3. Ability to direct all areas covering rent, store placement, common area charges, advertising and marketing.

4. Work with team members to ensure quality storefronts and timely store openings.

5. Resolve design issues and verify that submittals comply with turnpike and department of transportation design criteria.

6. Responsible for setting strategy and execution of day-to-day operations.

7. Interface with Legal; People, Talent and Culture; Loss & Prevention; Business Development, Finance and other business units in the daily affairs of the operation.

8. Build, Coach and Development a high performing leadership team.

9. Union negotiations experience desirable.

10. Knowledge and experience in employee relations issues including conflict in the workplace and investigations in partnership with the People, Talent and Culture Department.

11. Create an plan for hurricane preparations for the company and in coordination with FDTP.

12. Act as a corporate representative for public relations activities as needed.

Skills and Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Hospitality or related field, Master’s Degree a Plus.

2. Preferred 10+ plus years of experience in progressive management roles in food, beverage and retail operations handling multiple locations.

3. Ability to work effectively with multiple departments and diverse populations.

4. Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and other associated software.

5. Be able to lead a team of employees to reach company goals.

6. Possess excellent strategic management skills.

7. Oral and Written Communication Skills

8. Budget, market, risk, and Business Analysis

9. Time Management, planning and project management abilities.

10. Guest Relations, diplomacy and organization.

11. Personal Attributes: positive attitude, empathy, accountability and honesty

12. Willingness to travel up to 50%

Benefits:

We offer full-time eligible employees affordable medical insurance, dental and vision benefits, along with a variety of voluntary insurance options. Our benefits package includes company-sponsored life insurance, a free employee assistance program, competitive paid time off, company holidays, and a 401k retirement plan with company match. Plus, enjoy access to discount programs for travel and entertainment and a location meal program. In addition, this position is bonus eligible. 

EEOC Statement:

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse team and fostering an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability status, or veteran status.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers, communicate verbally, and hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is also occasionally required to walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and either lift or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and printer.