Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Restaurants/HospitalitySpecialty Restaurants • Costa Mesa, CA, USA

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Restaurants / Hospitality

Specialty Restaurants • Costa Mesa, CA, USA

2 days ago

Job type

Full-time

Quick Apply

Job description

With over 15 iconic restaurants-and more on the horizon- Specialty Restaurants Corporation is a privately-owned company with a proud legacy and an exciting future. Our portfolio includes beloved destinations such as Rusty Pelican, Whiskey Joe's, and Castaway , where guests come to celebrate life's best moments against unforgettable backdrops. Recognized time and again for excellence-through OpenTable's Most Scenic Restaurants , Diner's Choice Awards , and numerous regional "Best Of" honors-our commitment to hospitality and memorable dining experiences runs deep.

As we continue to expand and evolve, we're seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who will bring strategic vision, financial leadership, and operational insight to help shape the next chapter of our growth story. This is a unique opportunity to join a passionate, entrepreneurial leadership team and make a lasting impact on a respected brand that continues to define elevated dining experiences across the country.

W hy join Specialty Restaurants Corporation Executive Team?

Top-notch Benefits :

Competitive salary plus additional incentives including bonus, long-term incentive plan, car allowance etc. Base salary in the range of $290,000-$310,000 depending on experience
Benefits including vacation pay, medical, dental and vision insurance
Lifestyle Spending Account, this benefit supports you and your family in numerous ways such as through gym memberships, child care, groceries, student loans & more!
Company dining package with allotted spending amount each month
Variety of Supplemental Benefit Plans for life's unknowns
401k with annual employer match after 12 months (ER match 25% of the first 5% contribution)
Employer paid life Insurance throughout the length of employment
Paid / Floating holidays for 5 major holidays
Education Assistance Program (EdAP) for hospitality related education growth
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to assist with work life balance
Management Referral Program with up to a $4,000 payout for qualifying management positions

As Chief Financial Officer, you will serve as a key strategic partner to the CEO, Board of Directors, and executive leadership team-providing vision, stewardship, and data-driven insight to guide sustainable growth across our multi-unit restaurant portfolio and real-estate development pipeline. You will oversee all areas of financial management, capital strategy, risk, and compliance while ensuring operational excellence, fiscal discipline, and long-term enterprise value creation.

This role requires a dynamic and hands-on leader capable of navigating complex, multi-entity environments-balancing restaurant operations, new unit growth, and real-estate investment initiatives under a unified strategic framework.

Job Functions :

Strategic & Financial Leadership

Partner with the CEO, Board, and senior leadership to shape long-term financial strategy, capital allocation, and growth priorities across both operating and development portfolios.

Lead enterprise financial planning, analysis, and reporting, ensuring alignment between corporate objectives and unit-level performance.

Drive M&A activity-including financial due diligence, valuation modeling, transaction structuring, and integration execution.

Oversee cash management, debt structures, and banking relationships to optimize capital efficiency and liquidity.

Develop and execute financing and capital allocation strategies for new restaurant and real-estate projects.

Manage external financial audit, financial shareholder relations including dividend distribution, and long-term incentive plan (LTIP) programs

Operational & Analytical Excellence

Partner with operations to monitor and enhance unit-level profitability, labor efficiency, food and beverage costs, and other margin improvement initiatives.

Deliver clear and timely financial insights, KPIs, and dashboards that enable proactive data-driven decision-making at both the executive and field levels.

Implement scalable systems and processes that streamline reporting, forecasting, and close cycles across multiple entities.

Lead budgeting, forecasting, and performance management across restaurants, real-estate holdings, and corporate functions.

Governance, Risk, and Compliance

Oversee all accounting, audit, and tax functions, ensuring compliance with GAAP, state / federal regulations, and industry standards.

Strengthen internal controls and financial governance across decentralized operations.

Co-manage insurance strategy and broker relationships, ensuring comprehensive property and casualty coverage and proactive risk mitigation while reducing premium costs.

Support legal and risk teams in lease negotiation, claims management, and compliance oversight for both operating and development assets.

People & Culture

Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing finance, accounting, and IT organization focused on accuracy, agility, and accountability.

Foster a culture of transparency, continuous improvement, and operational partnership across departments.

Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, President, and Board-translating complex financial data into actionable strategy.

Qualifications :

15+ years of progressive finance leadership experience, including 5+ years in a senior financial executive and / or CFO role.

Proven experience in multi-unit restaurant, hospitality, or retail environments; familiarity with real-estate development and asset management strongly preferred.

Demonstrated ability to oversee multiple P&Ls, entity structures, and growth-oriented portfolios.

Deep understanding of restaurant unit economics, labor management, and operational KPIs.

Record of accomplishment leading M&A, capital markets, or structured financing initiatives.

Hands-on ability in systems transformation, ERP optimization, and business intelligence / data-warehouse environments. Experience implementing and using A.I. solutions a plus.

Effective communication and relationship-building skills; able to influence across all levels of the organization and external partners.

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or related field; CPA and / or MBA preferred.

Leadership Competencies

Strategic thinker with strong analytical rigor and commercial acumen.

Entrepreneurial mindset, capable of balancing long-term vision with tactical execution.

Skilled in managing cross-functional collaboration between finance, operations, development, and IT.

Committed to continuous improvement and organizational scalability.

Adept at leveraging technology to drive efficiency and organizational scalability.

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