Store Manager in Van Nuys, California at Zankou Chicken, Van Nuys

JOB DESCRIPTION – Operations Manager

Position

Manager

Reports to

General Manager

Department

Operations

Classification

Non-Exempt

Travel

Minimal

Date

May 6, 2026

Hourly Range

$24-$26 / hour | 47.5 hours a week

Location

Stores – LA + Orange County

Who We Are

Zankou Chicken is a family-owned, fast-casual Mediterranean brand built on tradition, quality, and heart. What began as a small family restaurant has grown into one of Southern California’s most loved brands — and we’re just getting started.

Everything we do is guided by a clear vision:

Our Vision

To create the best fast-casual experience in Taste, Convenience, and Value — inspiring excellence worldwide.

That vision comes to life through our four pillars:

1. Perfect Product
2. Fast
3. Amazing Atmosphere
4. 5-Star Hospitality

We’re building a brand that delivers on these pillars every day, in every restaurant, and in every guest interaction.

The Role

The Operations Manager is responsible for supporting the General Manager in leading day-to-day restaurant operations while delivering exceptional hospitality, operational excellence, and strong financial performance.

This role is accountable for running effective shifts, leading and developing team members, protecting profitability, ensuring food quality, and maintaining compliance with all company standards and legal requirements.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on hospitality leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, leads with accountability, and is passionate about food quality and team development.

Key Responsibilities

Shift Leadership & Operations

• Lead and execute high-performing shifts that drive same store sales, operational excellence, and guest satisfaction.
• Ensure the restaurant operates efficiently while maintaining Zankou Chicken standards for hospitality, cleanliness, food quality, and speed of service.
• Deploy team members effectively to ensure the right people are in the right positions at the right times.
• Actively manage shift flow, labor deployment, and operational priorities throughout each shift.
• Serve as a visible and engaged floor leader during peak business periods.
• Inspire the team to deliver 5 star hospitality and deliver an exceptional guest experience.
• Responsible for all aspects of the Team Member experience and ensure that they are being coached, developed, recognized and valued.

Financial & Business Management

• Support the achievement of restaurant financial goals including sales, labor management, and protection of Cost of Goods Sold (COGS).
• Monitor labor usage and staffing levels to support profitability while maintaining hospitality and operational standards.
• Support driving great food execution (perfect product) and quality through the AvT process.
• Support inventory controls and operational processes that minimize waste and protect product quality.
• Assist with order placement and inventory management to ensure proper product levels and operational readiness.

Food Quality & Execution

• Ensure all recipes, food preparation procedures, and presentation standards are executed consistently and correctly.
• Conduct and oversee line checks to verify food quality, freshness, and readiness standards.
• Protect the integrity of Zankou Chicken’s culinary standards and guest experience.
• Partner with kitchen and front-of-house teams to deliver consistent execution across all shifts.

Training & Team Development

• Support all aspects of the team member lifecycle including hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, performance management, and separations.
• Own and champion the restaurant’s training and development culture.
• Ensure team members receive effective onboarding and ongoing operational training.
• Provide consistent coaching, feedback, and recognition to develop strong individual and team performance.
• Help create a positive, accountable, and hospitality-focused work environment.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all company policies, food safety standards, labor laws, and local, state, and federal regulations.
• Maintain a safe and clean environment for both guests and team members.
• Ensure all required safety and food safety procedures are followed consistently.
• Support accident prevention and operational risk management initiatives.

Leadership & Culture

• Serve as an active and collaborative member of the store leadership team.
• Support the General Manager in building a culture rooted in hospitality, accountability, operational discipline, and respect.
• Lead by example and uphold the values and standards of Zankou Chicken.
• Foster strong communication and teamwork across all restaurant departments.

Qualifications

• Previous restaurant leadership experience required, 1year at a minimum.
• Strong understanding of restaurant operations and shift execution.
• Ability to lead teams in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Strong communication, coaching, and organizational skills.
• Basic understanding of labor management, inventory, and restaurant financial performance.
• Passion for hospitality, team development, and food quality.
• Flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Success in This Role Looks Like

• Consistently strong shift execution and guest experience
• Well-trained and properly deployed teams
• Strong operational discipline and compliance
• Effective labor and cost management
• High food quality standards
• Positive team culture and leadership presence

Why Join Zankou?

• Be part of an iconic and growing Southern California brand
• Work directly with the CEO and executive leadership team
• Opportunity to shape and elevate a beloved brand at scale
• Competitive salary, bonus, and benefits (including 95% employer-paid medical)
• Free delicious and healthy meals
• Opportunity to build something meaningful and lasting

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day. The team member may lift and/or move items up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

*Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the team member for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Team Member Signature: _________________________ Date: ________________

Team Member Name: ____________________________