Managing Partner

We're seeking an entrepreneurial hospitality leader to help launch and operate a new, privately funded restaurant concept in Dayton, Ohio.

The vision: a vibrant, European-inspired neighborhood café, kitchen, and wine market offering exceptional coffee, approachable food, thoughtfully selected wines, and curated specialty goods.

This is not a traditional General Manager position. We're looking for a founding operating partner who wants to build a business, lead a team, and share in its long-term success.

With an existing restaurant property identified and significant kitchen infrastructure in place, the venture is entering its development phase. The selected candidate will play a central role in shaping the concept, guiding the opening, and building a profitable, enduring business.

Restaurant Development & Launch

• Partner with ownership to refine the concept, menu, service model, and guest experience.

• Lead preopening planning, including budgeting, staffing, vendor selection, and operational readiness.

• Provide input on restaurant design, kitchen layout, equipment, and workflow.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive restaurant opening plan.

Operations & Financial Performance

• Own day-to-day operations and overall restaurant P&L performance.

• Drive revenue growth, profitability, cost management, and operational efficiency.

• Establish operating standards across food, beverage, service, and retail.

• Manage inventory, purchasing, labor, scheduling, and vendor relationships.

• Develop performance reporting, operating budgets, and financial forecasts.

Team & Guest Experience

• Recruit, train, and lead a high-performing hospitality team.

• Build a culture of accountability, exceptional service, and genuine hospitality.

• Deliver a consistently outstanding guest experience.

• Establish a strong neighborhood presence and loyal customer base.

• 5+ years of progressive restaurant leadership experience, preferably as a General Manager, Director of Operations, Managing Partner, or Owner/Operator.

• Demonstrated ownership of restaurant financial performance, including labor, food costs, and profitability.

• Experience building, developing, and leading successful teams.

• Strong understanding of restaurant operations, systems, purchasing, and service standards.

• Experience with restaurant openings or concept development strongly preferred.

• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to balance creativity, hospitality, and financial discipline.

• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Above all, we're looking for someone who thinks and operates like an owner. 

• Competitive base salary of $85,000–$100,000.

• Meaningful equity ownership opportunity, subject to agreed terms and vesting.

• Significant autonomy to shape and lead the business.

• Direct partnership with an investor providing startup capital and strategic support.

• Opportunity to build a distinctive hospitality concept from the ground up.

The venture is currently in predevelopment, with property acquisition pending. The selected candidate will have an opportunity to influence key decisions before final design and construction.

This search is confidential. Additional details regarding the concept, location, investment, and ownership structure will be shared with qualified candidates.

Interested candidates should submit a resume and a brief introduction highlighting their restaurant leadership experience and interest in an ownership-oriented opportunity.