About the Role:

One of the most popular QSR chains from America is entering the Indian market with a vision to build the countrys most loved American Chinese QSR brand. We are looking for a dynamic and entrepreneurial Brand Head / Head of F&B Operations to lead the India business launch, operational excellence, customer experience, and scalable growth. This leader will be responsible for building the India operating model from the ground up, including store operations, people capability, SOPs, customer experience, food quality, profitability, and multi-city expansion. The role requires a strong blend of strategic thinking, execution rigor, brand-building capability, and deep understanding of the Indian QSR ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Business & Brand Leadership:

- Lead the India market launch and scale-up strategy for Panda Express.

- Build and execute the annual business plan, revenue targets, and operational KPIs.

- Drive brand positioning while adapting global standards to Indian consumer preferences.

- Partner with leadership teams on expansion roadmap, growth strategy, and market penetration.

2. Operations Excellence:

- Set up and oversee end-to-end restaurant operations across all India locations.

- Develop SOPs, operational playbooks, audit systems, and quality controls.

- Ensure consistency in food quality, service standards, hygiene, and customer experience.

- Monitor operational KPIs including sales, food cost, labor cost, throughput, wastage, and profitability.

3. New Store Openings & Expansion:

- Lead pre-opening and launch activities for new stores.

- Coordinate with design, procurement, training, and supply chain teams for seamless execution.

- Build scalable operational frameworks for rapid expansion across metros and tier-1 cities.

4. Team Building & Capability Development:

- Hire, train, and mentor high-performing operations and restaurant leadership teams.

- Build a strong culture of accountability, ownership, and guest-first service.

- Develop succession planning and leadership pipelines for regional operations.

5. Customer Experience & Brand Growth:

- Drive customer satisfaction, loyalty, and repeat business metrics.

- Work closely with marketing teams on promotions, launches, digital campaigns, and delivery partnerships.

- Leverage consumer insights and analytics to improve menu performance and guest engagement.

6. Financial & Commercial Ownership:

- Own P&L for India operations.

- Drive store-level profitability and operational efficiency.

- Identify opportunities for revenue growth and cost optimization.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

Experience:

- 10-18+ years of experience in QSR, restaurant chains, or large-format F&B operations.

- Strong experience in scaling multi-unit restaurant operations across India.

- Prior experience with international QSR brands preferred.

- Experience in launch/start-up environments is highly desirable.