Sr. Director, Equity Field Operations
KFC Corporation, Irvine, California, United States, 92713
Taco Bell was born and raised in California and has been around since 1962. We went from selling everyone’s favorite Crunchy Tacos on the West Coast to a global brand with 8,500+ restaurants, 350 franchise organizations, that serve 42+ million fans each week around the globe. We’re not only the largest Mexican-inspired quick service brand (QSR) in the world, we’re also part of the biggest restaurant group in the world: Yum! Brands.
Much of our fan love and authentic connection with our communities are rooted in being rebels with a cause. From ensuring we use high quality, sustainable ingredients to elevating restaurant technology in ways that hasn’t been done before… we will continue to be inclusive, bold, challenge the status quo and push industry boundaries.
We’re a company that celebrates and advocates for different, has bold self-expression, strives for a better future, and brings the fun while we’re at it. We fuel our culture with real people who bring unique experiences. We inspire and enable our teams and the world to Live Más.
At Taco Bell, we’re Cultural Rebels. Want to join in on the passion-fueled fun? Learn more about the career below.
About the Job:
Taco Bell’s $1 Billion Equity Restaurant business spans coast to coast and is a pivotal piece to bringing the legendary brand to life not only for our guests but by leading the system and inspiring our Franchise Operating Partners. With significant presence in an emerging digital market, new elevating assets that are bigger and bolder, and leading the way on the largest capital investments such as Times Square, the portfolio of 600+ restaurants delivers the third largest profit contribution for Yum! Brands.
The Brand is looking for someone who can inspire big leaders to dream bigger and deliver more. A leader who can assess the evolving marketplace and not only identify but develop talent to deliver the business results that truly make Taco Bell a “1 of 1” business and have this transpire at every level of the field, from Regional Directors to Restaurant General Managers. This position reports to the COO of Taco Bell.
Responsibilities
The Day-to-Day: Team Leadership: Lead and develop a leading high performing team of Regional Directors, Above Restaurant Leaders, and Restaurant General Managers while transforming the industry standards for restaurant level operations Operations Strategy & Execution: Create and drive the operational strategy across the equity portfolio to maximize efficiency, profitability, and guest satisfaction by ensuring the seamless implementation of new technologies, streamlined processes, and innovative restaurant solutions. Cross Functional Collaboration: Build strong, productive relationships with cross-functional partners and equity operators to align organizational priorities, vision, and execution. Financial Performance & Operational KPIs: Oversee P&L management for the equity portfolio, ensuring optimal cost management and resource allocation while directing strategies to enhance restaurant performance against operational KPIs, including labor optimization, cost management, and guest satisfaction. Change Management: Lead and manage large-scale organizational changes, ensuring smooth transitions in processes, technology, and operations by effectively communicating and engaging with teams to embrace change, minimizing disruption and maximizing adoption. Culture & Values: Ensure the Taco Bell values of innovation, inclusivity, and guest-centricity are reflected in every facet of restaurant operations and leadership development by driving a culture that prioritizes guest service, team collaboration, and high performance. Qualifications
Is This You? The Sr. Director, Equity Field Operations will possess the following: • Deep operational expertise, financial acumen, data-driven decision-making skills, process optimization experience and leadership & culture stewardship • 15+ years minimum experience • Experience in restaurant operations with a focus on strategy and execution • Experience leading multiple directors and a team of 10k+ team members In addition to exhibiting future stretch, the Sr. Director, Equity Field Operations will possess the following abilities: Leading & Influencing Others • Prove n leadership ability with the capability to motivate, manage and develop others (both direct and indirect). Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of Regional Directors, Restaurant General Managers, and field leaders. Ability to provide clear direction and business solutions to maximize individual and broader team performance. Ability to engage, motivate and inspire others and create an environment where people want to do their very best. Strong presence, organizational agility and ability to lead by example. Build strong relationships with others, demonstrating emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. Serve as a key liaison between Field Operations and RSC-based support functions, ensuring partnership and alignment on priorities and impact. Represent the voice of the Field in cross-functional strategy and planning sessions. 2) Strategic Skills • A creative, conceptual thinker who has a record of building competency and driving breakthrough business results through strategic planning and implementation. Ability to balance the need for change with the understanding of how much change restaurants are capable of realizing in the field. 3) Business / Commercial Acumen • A strong business acumen of the field organization, restaurant operations and key stakeholders. Understand operational drivers to deliver both immediate and long-term results. Focus on delivering margin while simultaneously delivering operational KPIs. Possess strong understanding of industry trends and macro factors that will necessitate a strategic change or approach to teams and consumers. Ability to prioritize issues and opportunities and allocate resources accordingly. 4) Building Relationships • In addition to being a collaborative team player, demonstrate ability to build and sustain relationships across all functions and through all levels in an organization to ensure seamless integration and flawless execution of business plans. Strong cultural sensitivity and a track record of building relationships. Able to champion ideas and influence and motivate key stakeholders by sharing vision with a shared sense of purpose and passion. A good listener who can connect easily with others. Work-Hard, Play-Hard: Hybrid work schedule (onsite expectation Tues, Wed, Thurs) and year-round flex day Friday Onsite childcare through Bright Horizons Onsite dining center and game room (yes, there is a Taco Bell inside the building) Onsite dry cleaning, laundry services, carwash, Onsite gym with fitness classes and personal trainer sessions Up to 4 weeks of vacation per year plus holidays and time off for volunteering Generous parental leave for all new parents and adoption assistance program 401(k) with a 6% matching contribution from Yum! Brands with immediate vesting Comprehensive medical & dental including prescription drug benefits and 100% preventive care Salary Range: $232,000 to $290,000 annually + bonus eligibility + benefits The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we'll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors. At Taco Bell, we Live Más and invite you to do the same. Take a seat at our table. Bring your voice. Bring you, just as you are, a Cultural Rebel. We want you to be your best self! Taco Bell is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all dimensions of diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other protected characteristic. Taco Bell is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities or special needs. US Job Seekers/Employees - To view the "Know Your Rights" poster,
click here
. You may also access Taco Bell’s Pay Transparency Policy Statement. Employment eligibility to work with Taco Bell in the U.S. is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for this position. California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect from you and how we use, sell, and share that information, please see our
Privacy Notice for California Employees
here
. Job Info
Job Identification 4814 Posting Date 02/20/2026, 07:20 PM Job Schedule Full time Locations Irvine, CA, United States (Hybrid)
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Day-to-Day: Team Leadership: Lead and develop a leading high performing team of Regional Directors, Above Restaurant Leaders, and Restaurant General Managers while transforming the industry standards for restaurant level operations Operations Strategy & Execution: Create and drive the operational strategy across the equity portfolio to maximize efficiency, profitability, and guest satisfaction by ensuring the seamless implementation of new technologies, streamlined processes, and innovative restaurant solutions. Cross Functional Collaboration: Build strong, productive relationships with cross-functional partners and equity operators to align organizational priorities, vision, and execution. Financial Performance & Operational KPIs: Oversee P&L management for the equity portfolio, ensuring optimal cost management and resource allocation while directing strategies to enhance restaurant performance against operational KPIs, including labor optimization, cost management, and guest satisfaction. Change Management: Lead and manage large-scale organizational changes, ensuring smooth transitions in processes, technology, and operations by effectively communicating and engaging with teams to embrace change, minimizing disruption and maximizing adoption. Culture & Values: Ensure the Taco Bell values of innovation, inclusivity, and guest-centricity are reflected in every facet of restaurant operations and leadership development by driving a culture that prioritizes guest service, team collaboration, and high performance. Qualifications
Is This You? The Sr. Director, Equity Field Operations will possess the following: • Deep operational expertise, financial acumen, data-driven decision-making skills, process optimization experience and leadership & culture stewardship • 15+ years minimum experience • Experience in restaurant operations with a focus on strategy and execution • Experience leading multiple directors and a team of 10k+ team members In addition to exhibiting future stretch, the Sr. Director, Equity Field Operations will possess the following abilities: Leading & Influencing Others • Prove n leadership ability with the capability to motivate, manage and develop others (both direct and indirect). Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of Regional Directors, Restaurant General Managers, and field leaders. Ability to provide clear direction and business solutions to maximize individual and broader team performance. Ability to engage, motivate and inspire others and create an environment where people want to do their very best. Strong presence, organizational agility and ability to lead by example. Build strong relationships with others, demonstrating emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. Serve as a key liaison between Field Operations and RSC-based support functions, ensuring partnership and alignment on priorities and impact. Represent the voice of the Field in cross-functional strategy and planning sessions. 2) Strategic Skills • A creative, conceptual thinker who has a record of building competency and driving breakthrough business results through strategic planning and implementation. Ability to balance the need for change with the understanding of how much change restaurants are capable of realizing in the field. 3) Business / Commercial Acumen • A strong business acumen of the field organization, restaurant operations and key stakeholders. Understand operational drivers to deliver both immediate and long-term results. Focus on delivering margin while simultaneously delivering operational KPIs. Possess strong understanding of industry trends and macro factors that will necessitate a strategic change or approach to teams and consumers. Ability to prioritize issues and opportunities and allocate resources accordingly. 4) Building Relationships • In addition to being a collaborative team player, demonstrate ability to build and sustain relationships across all functions and through all levels in an organization to ensure seamless integration and flawless execution of business plans. Strong cultural sensitivity and a track record of building relationships. Able to champion ideas and influence and motivate key stakeholders by sharing vision with a shared sense of purpose and passion. A good listener who can connect easily with others. Work-Hard, Play-Hard: Hybrid work schedule (onsite expectation Tues, Wed, Thurs) and year-round flex day Friday Onsite childcare through Bright Horizons Onsite dining center and game room (yes, there is a Taco Bell inside the building) Onsite dry cleaning, laundry services, carwash, Onsite gym with fitness classes and personal trainer sessions Up to 4 weeks of vacation per year plus holidays and time off for volunteering Generous parental leave for all new parents and adoption assistance program 401(k) with a 6% matching contribution from Yum! Brands with immediate vesting Comprehensive medical & dental including prescription drug benefits and 100% preventive care Salary Range: $232,000 to $290,000 annually + bonus eligibility + benefits The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we'll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors. At Taco Bell, we Live Más and invite you to do the same. Take a seat at our table. Bring your voice. Bring you, just as you are, a Cultural Rebel. We want you to be your best self! Taco Bell is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all dimensions of diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other protected characteristic. Taco Bell is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities or special needs. US Job Seekers/Employees - To view the "Know Your Rights" poster,
click here
. You may also access Taco Bell’s Pay Transparency Policy Statement. Employment eligibility to work with Taco Bell in the U.S. is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for this position. California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect from you and how we use, sell, and share that information, please see our
Privacy Notice for California Employees
here
. Job Info
Job Identification 4814 Posting Date 02/20/2026, 07:20 PM Job Schedule Full time Locations Irvine, CA, United States (Hybrid)
#J-18808-Ljbffr