Business / Operations Manager (Franchising + Growth) – Third Wave BBQ
Why This Role Is a Big Deal
If you’re the type of operator who gets bored “keeping the lights on”, this is the opposite of that.
Third Wave BBQ is in a genuine scale phase: strong venues, brand momentum, franchising underway, and a clear target of 50 venues in 3 years across Australia and internationally. This role puts you right in the middle of that growth. You’ll have real influence, direct access to the founders, and the runway to build systems that get rolled out across dozens of locations.
Most ops roles are about protecting a stable business. This one is about building the machine that scales it.
What you get out of it
Career acceleration: clear pathway to Head of Operations / GM / COO as the group expands
Real autonomy: you’ll own outcomes, not just tasks
Impact you can point to: your work becomes the playbook for every new venue
High performance, high reward: strong base + performance upside tied to results you control (KPIs, new openings, franchise success)
Fast growth environment: you’ll be working at a tempo most hospitality groups never reach
A brand with personality: bold product, loyal customers, and plenty of room to keep raising the bar
If you’re strong and you deliver, your remuneration grows with the business.
About Third Wave BBQ
Third Wave BBQ is a fast-growing hospitality group known for unapologetically bold American BBQ, burgers and smoked meats. We have four standout venues, a franchising engine already in motion, and a clear goal: 50 venues in the next 3 years across Australia and internationally.
We’re also a content and brand powerhouse. Third Wave BBQ is one of the top-performing restaurant brands on social media globally, generating up to 200 million views per month across our channels. That reach gives us a serious edge as we expand, recruit, launch new sites, and build community around every venue we open.
If you love pace, big goals, high standards and building things properly, you’ll feel at home here.
www.thirdwavebbq.com.au
The Role
We’re hiring a hands‑on Business / Operations Manager to help scale the group through world‑class operations, systems and accountability. This is a doer role, not a desk role. You’ll work across BOH and FOH, support and level up venue leaders, and play a key part in opening new corporate and franchise venues.
This role excludes marketing. Everything else operational is in play.
What You’ll Be Doing
Multi‑site operations and performance
Own operational standards across BOH and FOH: speed, service, quality, cleanliness, consistency
Drive KPIs across venues: COGS, labour %, wastage, GP, productivity, profitability
Coach venue managers and department leaders, build accountability rhythms, and lift performance fast
Identify operational bottlenecks, fix them, and make the fix stick
Systems, SOPs and training
Build and enforce scalable systems: SOPs, checklists, training pathways, QA routines
Create “how we do things here” standards that franchisees and corporate teams can follow easily
Set up onboarding for new managers and franchise partners
Run audits and ensure compliance is consistent across sites
Franchise and new venue rollout
Support franchisee onboarding, operational setup, and launch readiness
Lead opening playbooks, pre‑opening timelines, training plans, recruitment coordination and go‑live execution
Work with founders on rollout priorities, resourcing, and operational planning for growth
Coordinate suppliers, equipment, stock, procedures and standards for smooth launches
Suppliers, stock, and compliance
Strengthen supplier relationships, pricing, ordering systems and inventory controls
Improve forecasting, par levels, stocktake accuracy and wastage reduction
Ensure food safety, compliance, and operational risk controls are locked in
What Success Looks Like (First 6 to 12 Months)
KPIs stabilised and improving across all venues (COGS, labour, wastage, profitability)
SOPs and training systems embedded and followed without chasing
Leaders performing stronger with clear cadence and accountability
New venues opening smoother, faster, and more consistently
Franchise partners confident, compliant, and operating to standard
Who This Suits
This role suits someone who’s already operated at a high level and wants to step into a growth rocket ship with real responsibility and upside. You might come from:
Multi‑site Operations / Area / Regional Manager experience (hospitality or QSR)
Franchise Operations (onboarding, compliance, systems, audits, performance coaching)
Senior FOH leadership stepping up: Venue Manager, GM, Regional FOH leader with strong people and service systems
Senior BOH leadership stepping up: Head Chef / Executive Chef who’s built strong teams, systems and cost control
Hospitality executive track (Group Ops, Head of Ops, Performance Manager, Training and Standards lead)
If you’ve run busy venues, led leaders, and you’re great at building structure that actually gets followed, you’ll do well here.
What You Bring
Significant hospitality operations experience, ideally multi‑site
Strong understanding of franchising operations, systems, and standards enforcement
Proven track record improving COGS, labour, wastage and operational performance
Confident leader who can coach, challenge and lift standards without drama
Hands‑on, practical, high tempo, and obsessed with consistency
Why Join Us
Salary: $110,000 to $150,000 + performance‑based bonus
Structured review points with clear performance targets and earning upside
Clear pathway to Head of Operations / GM / COO as we scale to 50 venues
Direct access to founders and real influence over how the business is built
A brand with momentum, personality, and a big runway in Australia and overseas
Unlock job insights
Your application will include the following questions:
* Do you have experience working towards targets and KPIs?
* Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?
* What's your expected annual base salary?
* Do you have experience in a role which requires relationship management experience?
* How much notice are you required to give your current employer?
* Do you have a current Australian driver's licence?
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