Chief Operating Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Department: Executive Leadership

Status: Exempt

Date: July 2026

Broad Functions: The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides operational and financial leadership for the company's portfolio of restaurant and retail concessions located in airports and travel plazas across the United States. Operating nearly 400 locations across 27 airports and 12 travel plazas nationwide, the company is one of the largest privately held travel hospitality operators in the United States and the U.S. division of Areas, a global leader in travel hospitality.

The COO partners with the CEO and executive team to set strategic direction, drives consistent operational excellence across all regions and concepts, and serves as the company's primary executive liaison to airport authorities, travel plaza landlords, and national brand partners. This role is accountable for building and leading a high-performing multi-unit operations organization that delivers a strong operating culture, brand standards, safety, and profitability across a large, geographically dispersed portfolio.

A modern, hands‑on COO in this role is closely engaged in day‑to‑day execution, builds a strong culture of accountability and continuous improvement across the organization, drives operational effectiveness and data‑driven decision‑making, champions sustainability and diversity and inclusion initiatives (including the company's Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) commitments), and partners with Areas' global leadership team to share best practices and support the U.S. division's continued growth through organic expansion and acquisition integration.

• 1. Own full P&L accountability for all restaurant and retail concession operations across airport and travel plaza locations, driving sales growth, cost management, and profitability targets.
• 2. Develop and execute the company's operational strategy in partnership with the CEO and executive leadership team, translating business goals into actionable regional and unit‑level plans.
• 3. Lead and develop the regional and district operations leadership team, build a strong, accountable operating culture and ensuring consistent execution of brand standards guest services and operational excellence across all concepts and locations.
• 4. Maintain a highly visible, hands‑on presence across the portfolio, regularly engaging directly with regional leaders, unit teams, and frontline associates to reinforce culture, accountability, and operational standards.
• 5. Serve as the primary executive point of contact with airport authorities, travel plaza landlords, and concession/property management partners, maintaining relationships that protect and grow the company's footprint.
• 6. Lead the operational integration of newly acquired locations, business units, and concession contracts, ensuring seamless transition of teams, systems, brand standards, and operating culture following mergers and acquisitions.
• 7. Ensure compliance with airport authority requirements, Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program requirements, badging and security regulations, food safety standards, labor laws, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations across all operating locations.
• 8. Partner with FP&A & Finance to build and manage operating budgets, forecasts, and capital plans, and to identify and act on opportunities to improve margins and operational efficiency.
• 9. Drive consistent execution of brand and guest experience standards across all restaurant and retail concepts, ensuring alignment with franchisor and brand partner requirements.
• 10.Partner closely with the People Team (Human Resources) on talent strategy, leadership development, and employee relations, and to build and sustain a strong, values‑driven culture across the organization.
• 11. Drive continuous improvement in operational effectiveness and unit‑level execution through structured performance reviews, standard operating procedures, and hands‑on coaching of regional and unit leadership.
• 12. Partner…