We are seeking an experienced, hands-on VP of Finance / Controller to oversee the financial operations of our multi-unit quick-service restaurant (QSR) franchise portfolio.
This position reports directly to the President of Operations and plays a critical role in maintaining financial accountability, strengthening internal controls, managing cash flow, ensuring accurate financial reporting, and improving restaurant-level profitability.
The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, proactive, highly responsive, and adaptable to changing business needs and operational priorities.
All bookkeeping and accounting functions are performed by an outsourced accounting firm. This position is responsible for overseeing the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of that work rather than performing daily bookkeeping. There are no internal accounting staff or direct reports.
This is a hands-on financial leadership position requiring direct involvement in vendor payment approvals, financial oversight, and implementation of operational improvements.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Controls & Vendor Payments
- Personally review and approve all vendor payments before disbursement, generally twice weekly or more frequently as needed.
- Ensure no vendor payments are released without proper review and approval.
- Verify invoices, vendor information, payment amounts, and supporting documentation.
- Establish and maintain strong financial controls, including dual authorization for new vendors, vendor banking changes, and payments exceeding established thresholds.
- Monitor accounts payable, vendor terms, cash balances, and banking activity.
- Identify duplicate payments, discrepancies, unnecessary expenses, and potential financial risks.
Financial Reporting & Accounting Oversight
- Oversee the 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.
- Coordinate with external accountants and tax advisors regarding tax filings and financial compliance.
- Provide accurate and actionable financial reports to the President of Operations.
Restaurant Financial Performance
- Monitor 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, expenses, and operational trends.
- Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve profitability.
- Partner with restaurant and regional operations leadership to strengthen financial accountability.
- Oversee franchise royalty reporting, advertising charges, and required franchisor reporting.
Cash Flow, Banking & Growth
- 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.
Reporting Structure, Communication & Availability
- Report directly to the President of Operations and maintain consistent communication regarding financial performance, vendor payments, cash flow, and operational priorities.
- Maintain 24/7 phone availability for time-sensitive communications and urgent business matters from the President of Operations, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Be expected to answer calls from the President of Operations whenever possible and return any missed calls promptly.
- Maintain a high level of responsiveness, accountability, and professionalism in all communications.
- Work closely with the President of Operations to implement financial and operational improvements.
- Execute directives and requested changes established by the President of Operations promptly and effectively, while maintaining appropriate accounting standards and financial controls.
- Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to adjust priorities, responsibilities, financial procedures, and reporting requirements as company needs evolve.
- Take ownership of assigned responsibilities and follow through without repeated reminders.
- Proactively communicate financial concerns, recommend solutions, and ensure financial operations align with company objectives.
- Travel periodically across all seven operating markets to support financial oversight and operational accountability.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 12 years of progressive accounting or finance experience, including at least 5 years in a senior financial leadership position such as Controller, VP of Finance, or CFO.
- 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.
- Willingness and ability to maintain 24/7 availability for urgent communications from the President of Operations.
- Must be based in or willing to relocate to Nashville, TN, and available to travel regularly across seven operating markets.
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.
Ideal Candidate
We are seeking an experienced, hands-on financial leader who is adaptable, accountable, detail-oriented, highly responsive, and execution-focused.
The successful candidate will be comfortable personally reviewing vendor payments, overseeing outsourced accountants, analyzing restaurant performance, and implementing financial and operational improvements.
This individual must understand that direct communication with the President of Operations is a critical requirement of the position, including maintaining availability for urgent calls outside normal business hours.
The candidate must be comfortable working in an environment with high expectations for communication, accountability, responsiveness, and flexibility as business needs change.
This is not a traditional CFO position focused solely on strategic oversight or managing a finance department. We are seeking a senior financial professional who is willing to remain directly involved in financial oversight and support the continued growth of the organization.
Direct multi-unit QSR franchise financial experience is mandatory. Candidates without this experience will not be considered.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Education:
Experience:
- Controller, VP of Finance, or CFO: 5 years (Required)
- Finance or accounting: 10 years (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Nashville, TN 37204 (Required)
Work Location: In person
