VP of Finance / Controller – Multi-Unit Restaurant Operations

Hands-on VP of Finance / Controller role overseeing financial operations across a multi-unit quick-service restaurant (QSR) franchise portfolio in Nashville.

Responsibilities

• Personally review and approve all vendor payments before disbursement (typically twice weekly or more frequently as needed).
• Verify invoices, vendor details, payment amounts, and supporting documentation; ensure no payments are released without proper review and approval.
• Set and maintain financial controls, including dual authorization for new vendors, vendor banking changes, and payments above established thresholds.
• Monitor accounts payable, vendor terms, cash balances, and banking activity.
• Detect duplicate payments, discrepancies, unnecessary expenses, and potential financial risks.
• Oversee an outsourced accounting firm and ensure timely, accurate financial reporting.
• Review monthly financial statements, general ledger activity, reconciliations, and multi-entity reporting.
• Ensure timely month-end and year-end financial reporting.
• Analyze restaurant-level and consolidated profit and loss statements, including restaurant-level performance drivers.
• Track food and paper costs, labor percentages, occupancy expenses, operating margins, and restaurant-level EBITDA.
• Evaluate financial performance across multiple restaurant locations and legal entities.
• Analyze budget variances, expense trends, and operational performance; identify cost reduction and profitability improvement opportunities.
• Partner with restaurant and regional operations leadership to strengthen financial accountability.
• Oversee franchise royalty reporting, advertising charges, and required franchisor reporting.
• Maintain rolling cash flow forecasts and annual operating budgets.
• Oversee banking relationships, lender reporting, loan schedules, and covenant compliance.
• Monitor debt obligations, working capital, and capital expenditures.
• Support financial evaluations for acquisitions, new restaurant development, renovations, and expansion opportunities.
• Identify financial risks and recommend corrective actions.
• Report directly to the President of Operations; maintain consistent communication on financial performance, vendor payments, cash flow, and operational priorities.
• Maintain 24/7 phone availability for time-sensitive communications and urgent matters from the President of Operations, including evenings, weekends, and holidays; answer calls when possible and return missed calls promptly.
• Implement directives and requested changes from the President of Operations promptly while maintaining appropriate accounting standards and internal controls.
• Adjust priorities and responsibilities as business needs evolve; take ownership and follow through without repeated reminders.
• Proactively communicate financial concerns and solutions; align financial operations with company objectives.
• Travel periodically across seven operating markets to support financial oversight and operational accountability.

Requirements

• Minimum 12 years of progressive accounting or finance experience.
• At least 5 years in a senior financial leadership position (Controller, VP of Finance, or CFO) required.
• Direct multi-unit QSR franchise financial experience is mandatory.
• Proven experience overseeing multiple restaurant locations and legal entities.
• Strong knowledge of restaurant-level P&Ls, food costs, labor expenses, franchise royalties, and operating margins.
• Experience overseeing outsourced accounting firms and reviewing financial statements.
• Demonstrated experience managing vendor payment approvals, financial controls, and banking activities.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, budgeting, financial reporting, cash flow forecasting, and lender compliance.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and financial analysis skills.
• Familiarity with restaurant POS, reporting, and multi-entity accounting systems.
• Excellent organizational, communication, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently without an internal accounting team.
• Ability and willingness to maintain 24/7 availability for urgent communications.
• Based in or willing to relocate to Nashville, TN; available to travel regularly across seven operating markets.
• Education: Master’s degree required.

Technology

• Microsoft Excel
• GAAP

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location and Travel

• Work location: In person, Nashville, TN 37204 (required)
• Travel: Travel periodically across all seven operating markets

Reporting Structure

• Reports directly to the President of Operations.
• No internal accounting staff or direct reports.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or advanced degree in accounting, finance, or business.
• Experience with multi-brand restaurant franchise portfolios.
• Experience working directly with ownership and senior operations leadership.
• Background in restaurant acquisitions, financing, and development.