Restaurant COO Executive Search
COO Leadership That Defines Operational Excellence
Operational excellence defines success in the restaurant industry. From multi-unit execution to margin optimization, the Chief Operating Officer plays a central role in translating strategy into performance.
At Wray Executive Search, we specialize in identifying restaurant COOs who bring structure to complexity, discipline to growth, and leadership to every level of the organization. Our focus is not simply filling a role. We help build leadership teams that support long-term performance and scalability.
The Role of a Restaurant COO Has Evolved
Today’s restaurant COO is more than an operator. The role requires a leader who can balance execution with strategy while navigating an increasingly complex operating environment.
We consistently see organizations searching for COOs who can:
Lead multi-unit and multi-brand operations with consistency
Drive margin improvement across labor, food cost, and supply chain
Build and develop field leadership teams at scale
Partner with CEOs and boards on growth strategy and execution
Implement systems and processes that support expansion
Align operations with brand, marketing, and financial performance
As growth accelerates, the gap between average and exceptional operational leadership becomes more visible. The right COO does not maintain performance. They elevate it.
Trusted By The Worlds Top Restaurant Brands
Why is Wray Search The Top Restaurant COO Search Firm?
For more than 50 years, Wray Executive Search has specialized in restaurant and franchise executive search, building leadership teams for multi-unit and growth-focused brands.
That experience has created something most firms cannot replicate: trusted relationships with the industry’s top operational leaders. Many of the strongest restaurant COO candidates are not actively in the market. They engage through relationships, and often, those relationships are with Wray.
Our access goes beyond a database. We connect clients with proven COOs and operations leaders who have led at scale and delivered measurable results across complex restaurant environments.
Every restaurant COO executive search is led by experienced partners who understand the realities of multi-unit operations, margin pressure, and growth. We focus on identifying leaders who align with your strategy, culture, and long-term goals.
For organizations hiring a restaurant COO, the difference is not just who is available. It is who you can access.
Our Approach to Restaurant COO Executive Search
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Our Leadership
Our leading consultants bring substantial senior-level experience.
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Wide Scope
Wray Executive Search offers a wide scope of industry knowledge and experience. We provide a wide array of services and have an extensive network in these arenas.
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Impactful Expertise
The cross-functional, wide-reaching expertise our company provides can have a deep impact on your business. We serve client needs internationally, nationally, regionally and locally.
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Unique Guarantees
We offer a full one-year replacement guarantee ensuring that our candidates will bring value long term. If, for some reason, the hired candidate does not work out, we will find a replacement.
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Diverse Consultants
Our consultants bring varied experience from all segments of the industry. We offer broad-based, cross-functional expertise to enhance our partnership.
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Competitive, Comprehensive Rates
There are no surprises when it comes to our fees. We maintain highly competitive performance-based rates founded upon our robust executive search record.
Executive Search Case Study: CEO for Growing Multi-Unit Restaurant Group
Executive Search Case Study: VP Operations for Multi-Concept Casual Dining
Executive Search Case Study: COO Multi-Brand Restaurant Group
Our Team
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Kevin Stockslager
Managing Partner
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Ray Kelley
Managing Partner
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Rebecca Patt
SVP & Partner
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Bob Gershberg
Executive Advisor
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Joe Radice
Advisor
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Jonathan Kelley
Vice President of Recruiting
Build the Right Operational Leadership Team
A strong COO brings clarity, accountability, and performance to every level of your organization. The right hire can accelerate growth, strengthen execution, and position your business for long-term success.
If you are evaluating a Restaurant COO hire, Wray Executive Search can provide insight into the market and access to the leaders shaping the industry.
If you are looking to be considered for opportunities, go to our candidate page and submit your resume.
Trusted Experts in Restaurant Executive Search
Your leadership team determines the success of your restaurant brand. For decades, Wray Executive Search has been the trusted partner for companies seeking proven executives who can navigate scale, complexity, and constant change. As one of the nation’s most experienced restaurant executive search firms, we understand what it takes to build leadership teams that strengthen operations, inspire teams, and position organizations for sustained growth.
Whether you’re scaling a fast-casual concept, revitalizing a full-service brand, or expanding a franchise platform, we connect you with leaders who understand the pace, accountability, and culture of the restaurant business.
Restaurant COO Hiring Insights
What Sets High-Performing Restaurant COOs Apart
Not all operational leaders are equipped to succeed at the Chief Operating Officer level in restaurant organizations. The most effective COOs bring a combination of strategic perspective and operational discipline, with the ability to translate vision into consistent execution across locations.
In our experience, high-performing restaurant COOs often demonstrate:
Deep experience across multi-unit and multi-brand environments
A track record of scaling operations through periods of rapid growth
Strong financial acumen, with a focus on margin improvement and cost control
The ability to build and develop field leadership teams at scale
Cross-functional alignment with marketing, finance, and development teams
A data-driven approach to decision-making and performance management
These leaders are not only operators. They are architects of performance, capable of building systems and teams that sustain growth over time.
When Restaurant Brands Need a COO
Many restaurant organizations reach an inflection point where operational complexity begins to outpace existing leadership structures. At this stage, hiring a Chief Operating Officer becomes a strategic priority.
Common triggers include:
Rapid unit expansion or entry into new markets
Increasing operational inconsistency across locations
Margin pressure driven by labor, food costs, or supply chain challenges
Founder-led organizations transitioning to professional leadership teams
The need for stronger alignment between operations and overall business strategy
A well-aligned COO provides structure, accountability, and clarity, enabling organizations to scale with confidence.
Key Considerations in Restaurant COO Executive Search
Hiring a COO is one of the most important leadership decisions a restaurant organization will make. The role requires careful evaluation of both experience and leadership capability.
Key considerations include:
Experience within similar operating models (franchise vs. company-owned)
Scale of prior responsibility, including number of units and geographic reach
Leadership style and ability to influence across all levels of the organization
Success in driving measurable operational improvements
Cultural alignment with the organization’s leadership team and long-term vision
At Wray Executive Search, we guide clients through these considerations to ensure each hire supports both immediate needs and long-term growth objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Restaurant COO Search
What does a restaurant COO do?
A restaurant COO oversees day-to-day operations across locations, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and alignment with company strategy. The role often includes responsibility for field leadership, operational systems, and performance management.
How long does a restaurant COO search take?
Most executive searches at the COO level take several months, depending on the complexity of the role and the availability of qualified candidates within the market.
What experience should a restaurant COO have?
Ideal candidates typically have experience leading multi-unit operations, managing large teams, and driving performance across complex restaurant environments.
How is a COO different from a VP of Operations?
While both roles focus on operations, a COO typically operates at a more strategic level, partnering with the CEO and executive team to shape direction and long-term growth.
Restaurant COO Search Trends
Demand for experienced restaurant COOs continues to grow as organizations navigate increasing operational complexity. Companies are placing greater emphasis on leaders who can balance execution with strategic thinking, particularly in environments shaped by labor challenges, evolving consumer expectations, and expansion into new markets.
Organizations that invest in experienced operational leadership are better positioned to maintain consistency, improve margins, and scale effectively.