About the Role

Hot Chicken is looking for a Corporate Area Director to be the driving force behind our Company Owned locations in the Utah market. You'll act as a trusted business partner and supervise all Company locations in Utah — helping them grow, sharing best practices, and coaching teams to bring our brand to life every single day. If you love building relationships, solving problems, and helping others win, this is your seat at the table.

You'll support restaurants, managers and team members through everything from new restaurant openings to day-to-day operational excellence, all while protecting what makes our brand special.

What You'll Do:

• Bring the HHC brand to life every single day — making sure our guests feel the energy, passion, and quality we’re known for
• Be the go-to person for all things guest service — because happy guests make our world go ‘round
• Ensure every meal that leaves the kitchen is top-notch and adheres to recipe and plating standards
• Ensure consistent execution of brand standards, food quality, and guest experience
• Conduct regular restaurant visits, audits, and performance reviews
• Lead new store openings, reopens, and operational turnarounds
• Recruit, develop, and retain strong General Managers and restaurant leadership teams
• Coach leaders on performance, accountability, and team development
• Build management bench strength and succession plans across the region
• Foster a culture of engagement, ownership, and continuous improvement
• Drive sales growth and profitability across all locations
• Drive growth in catering, off-premise, loyalty, and local restaurant sales initiatives
• Own and drive key financial metrics including sales growth, labor, prime cost, EBITDA, controllable expenses, and restaurant-level profitability
• Analyze trends and implement action plan to improve performance as needed
• Conduct structured restaurant visits and provide clear action plans, coaching, and follow-up
• Ensure execution of all operating systems, training programs, and company standards
• Identify operational opportunities and implement solutions that improve guest experience and restaurant profitability
• Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a strong field presence
• Champion a guest-first culture across all restaurants
• Monitor guest feedback, online reviews, and NPS scores
• Ensure consistent delivery of fast, friendly, and accurate service
• Hold General Managers accountable to performance standards
• Ensure compliance with HHC policies, procedures, and safety standards
• Jump in wherever needed — because teamwork makes the dream work!

What You Bring:

• 7–12+ years of restaurant operations experience
• 3–5+ years in multi-unit leadership (Area Director, District Manager, etc.)
• Proven success leading high-volume QSR or fast casual restaurants
• Strong understanding of P&L, KPIs, and operational drivers
• Demonstrated ability to develop leaders and improve performance
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills
• Willingness to travel frequently within assigned region
• A track record of driving same-store sales growth, improving profitability, and coaching P&L performance
• Sharp attention to detail and top-tier communication skills
• A collaborative, growth-minded approach — you lift others up while continuing to learn
• Natural leadership presence with the ability to motivate and inspire teams
• Strong business acumen and the ability to juggle multiple priorities without losing focus
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Suite, tablets, and POS systems