Chicago Market Director of Operations

At Call Your Mother we believe that great food is made even better with amazing service and having fun together. CYM is a neighborhood bagel shop and deli with locations in the DMV area, Colorado, Chicago, and Philadelphia on the way! We're looking for new team members with positive attitudes and an eagerness to learn who are as excited about good food & GOOD VIBES.

We’re hiring a Director of Operations based in Chicago!

As we expand into Chicago, we're looking for a dynamic Director of Operations to help build something special from the ground up. This is a hands-on field leadership role for someone who loves restaurant operations, thrives in developing people, and is energized by the opportunity to grow a market.

As the operational leader for Chicago, you'll be responsible for launching new shops, developing exceptional leaders, driving business results, and building a culture that brings Call Your Mother's values to life every day. You'll spend your time where the action is—in our shops, shoulder-to-shoulder with General Managers and team members—coaching, teaching, problem-solving, celebrating wins, and ensuring both our people and our business thrive.

Reporting to the VP of Operations, you'll lead the growth and success of the Chicago market while helping shape the future of Call Your Mother. You'll inspire teams, develop the next generation of leaders, and champion our Core Values (“VIBES”) as we continue to grow our presence in the city.

Company Core Values & Expectations:

• Vibrant – You are abundantly happy, fun, passionate, playful, and kind
• Integrity – You are honest, caring, real, and always strive to do the right thing and take pride in what you do
• Belonging – You will work as a team to make people feel welcome
• Energy – You are active, proactive, and work hard to make things happen
• Seize the Moment – You make the most of every guest opportunity by saying yes and by trying new things, and by being original

• Mentoring and developing future leaders through hands-on coaching
• Creating extraordinary experiences for guests and teams
• Building a culture where people love coming to work
• Strengthening the neighborhoods and communities we serve
• Helping shape the future growth of Call Your Mother

• Serve as the senior operational leader for all Chicago-area shops and future growth
• Build and scale a high-performing market while preserving the culture, hospitality, and quality that define Call Your Mother
• Act as the connective tissue between shop teams and the Support Team, ensuring alignment, communication, and execution
• Be the face of Call Your Mother leadership in Chicago—visible, accessible, and deeply invested in the success of every shop

• Spend significant time working in shops alongside leaders and teams, at times this will look like managing a shop
• Coach in real time on hospitality, food quality, labor management, systems, and leadership
• Roll up your sleeves during openings, staffing challenges, high-volume periods, and key business initiatives
• Lead by example and model the standards you expect from others

• Recruit, hire, onboard, coach, and develop General Managers, Shop Leaders, and Team Members
• Identify high-potential talent and create development plans that prepare future leaders for growth opportunities
• Foster accountability while creating an environment where people feel supported, challenged, and empowered
• Build strong succession plans across the market

• Ensure consistent execution of Call Your Mother's standards for food quality, cleanliness, safety, hospitality, and culture
• Partner with shop leaders to create schedules, manage labor, control inventory, and drive profitability
• Conduct regular business reviews, analyzing financial performance, guest feedback, operational metrics, and growth opportunities
• Lead successful implementation of new initiatives, technology, menu rollouts, and operational improvements

• Lead operational readiness for new shop openings throughout the Chicago market
• Partner cross-functionally with People,…