Chief Financial Officer (CFO) - Fast-Growing Restaurant Chain

Job Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for the overall financial health and strategic direction of our rapidly expanding restaurant chain. This role requires a dynamic and experienced finance professional with a deep understanding of the restaurant and hospitality industry. The CFO will manage all aspects of financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and capital management. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, a strong leader, and a hands-on operator who can drive profitability and support the company's aggressive growth trajectory.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Financial Leadership & Planning:

• Strategic Planning:

  Partner with the CEO and executive team to develop and execute the company's long-term strategic plan, including new unit growth, market expansion, and concept development.

• Financial Modeling:

  Develop and maintain sophisticated financial models to support strategic decisions, evaluate new opportunities, and forecast performance.

• Capital Management:

  Manage and optimize the company's capital structure. Lead efforts to secure financing, manage investor relations, and plan for future capital needs to support expansion.

• M&A and Due Diligence:

  Evaluate potential acquisition targets, lead financial due diligence, and integrate acquired businesses.

2. Financial Operations & Reporting:

• Financial Oversight:

  Oversee all financial functions, including accounting, treasury, payroll, tax, and audit.

• Reporting:

  Prepare and present accurate and timely financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) to the executive team, board of directors, and investors.

• Budgeting & Forecasting:

  Lead the annual budgeting process and create rolling forecasts. Monitor performance against budget and provide insightful variance analysis.

• Internal Controls:

  Establish and maintain a strong system of internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure the integrity of financial data.

3. Performance Management & Analysis:

• KPI Tracking:

  Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) specific to the restaurant industry, such as prime cost, labor percentage, food cost, average ticket, and unit-level profitability.

• Operational Analysis:

  Partner with the operations team to analyze unit-level performance, identify areas for cost optimization, and drive profitability improvements.

• Technology & Systems:

  Lead the selection and implementation of financial management systems (e.g., ERP, POS integration) to support scalability and data-driven decision-making.

4. Leadership & Team Management:

• Team Leadership:

  Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing finance and accounting team. Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:

  Serve as a key business partner to all departments (Operations, Marketing, HR, Supply Chain, etc.) to ensure financial considerations are integrated into all business decisions.

5. Investor & Stakeholder Relations:

• Investor Relations:

  Manage relationships with current and potential investors, preparing materials for board meetings and investor presentations.

• Banking & Legal:

  Maintain strong relationships with banks, auditors, lawyers, and other external partners.

Qualifications

• Education:

  CA.

• Experience:

  10+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience, with at least 3-5 years in a senior leadership role (VP of Finance, CFO) within a multi-unit, high-growth environment.

• Industry Knowledge:

  Essential to have experience in the restaurant, hospitality, or multi-unit retail industry.

  Must have a deep understanding of restaurant P&L, key metrics, and operational drivers.

• Financial Acumen:

  Strong proficiency in financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting, and data analysis.

• Strategic Thinking:

  Proven ability to think strategically and translate business goals into a clear financial strategy.

• Leadership Skills:

  Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Ability to influence and collaborate with diverse teams.

• Technical Skills:

  Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Experience with financial planning software (e.g., Vena, Anaplan) and ERP systems is a plus.

• Personal Attributes:

  High integrity, results-oriented, proactive, and adaptable. Must thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Reporting Structure

The CFO reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is a member of the executive leadership team.

Compensation

Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience, including a base salary, performance-based bonus, and equity participation.