Restaurant Recruiting and Executive Search

Your Restaurant Recruitment Specialists

We are Bristol Associates, a boutique executive search firm, founded in 1967. Our Restaurant recruitment division has been a leader in its field for over 55 years, and our experienced recruiters excel in placing the best talent at leading eateries and food service companies. What sets our executive search services apart is our comprehensive industry knowledge, extensive network, and ever-expanding database. We recruit key executives for a wide range of clients, both nationwide and globally.

Our Restaurant client base encompasses a wide array of commercial and noncommercial companies including Full Service Restaurant, Fast Casual Restaurant, Quick Service Restaurant (QSR), Catering, Banquets, Clubs, Bars, Wineries, Breweries, and Distilleries. We work with restaurant companies within the lodging, transportation, recreational, educational, health care, and retail industries. We recruit for C-Level, VP, Director, and Manager executive positions within disciplines such as culinary, finance and accounting, facilities, human resources, information technology, marketing, operations, and sales.

The retained search service Bristol offers includes sourcing, screening, submitting qualified candidates, scheduling interviews, and negotiating employment and compensation packages of selected finalists.  Each search is unique, and we provide personalized service to gain an in-depth understanding of our clients at the start of our relationship. Our strategy is mindfully tailored based on each client’s needs and culture. We strive to find the best fit for our client companies as well as our candidates. The connections we form with both our clients and candidates are valued, and we maintain these relationships with great care.

Given our firm’s industry focus and vast database of talent, we have in-depth knowledge of compensation ranges from C-suite executives to mid-level management. We regularly advise clients on current job market conditions and consult on matters of compensation including base salaries, bonus programs, commission structures, incentives, benefits, and long-term compensation. We can provide customized compensation information (wage studies) à la carte to our main retained executive search services. The salary data we provide is always anonymous, in that it is tied to job titles and not executives’ names.

Join the Many Companies That Already Recruit with Bristol Associates

Our Satisfied Clients Love to Share Their Experiences Working with Bristol Associates

“Bristol Associates helped us to fill over ten positions in a very short amount of time when our company moved corporate offices to its new location. Our Consultant was able to identify strong candidates for even the most hard-to-fill positions. The firm’s customized approach, responsiveness, and extensive network in the field made them an invaluable partner.”

Peter Watson

Executive Director, Talent Acquisition, Dine Equity, Inc. (IHOP and Applebee's)

“I highly recommend Bristol Associates recruiting services to elevate your career! The recruiters possess a people-centric approach that goes beyond just matching skills and experience to a job description. With their constant encouragement and guidance throughout the process I was able to land my dream job!”

Betty Hui

Sr. Purchasing Manager, Panda Restaurant Group

Why Work with Bristol Associates?

Over 55 Years in Business

We have specialized in executive search since 1967, and are now in our 3rd generation of family ownership.

Specialized

We have unrivaled industry knowledge in the areas in which we focus.

Individualized Service

We provide consultative, individualized service to our client companies. We pride ourselves in conducting our processes confidentially when necessary.

Network of Candidates

With over 1M+ relevant candidates in our private database, and growing every day, we have a strong network of senior-level talent across the board.

Responsiveness

Our recruiters value a communicative relationship with our select client companies and candidates, providing updates throughout the search.

Experienced

Our exceptional lead recruiters each have at least 15 years’ of experience in executive search.

Partner with Bristol Associates

Our Successful Restaurant Searches Keep Our Clients Coming Back

Chief Financial Officer

We placed the CFO for a large full service, publicly traded restaurant company. Our placed candidate oversees all accounting and finance related activities for the organization.

Chief Information Officer

Our client is a world-renowned brand that owns and operates themed restaurant, hotel, and casino properties across the globe. The corporation is known for their wide collection of memorabilia decorating their establishments. The Chief Information Officer is responsible for coordinating, directing, and implementing all activities of the IT department. Our placed candidate works closely with the Executive Management team, property IT, and other departments to provide effective technology solutions.

Director of Human Resources

A popular and growing international bakery brand was our client for this Director of Human Resources search. The position supervises the human resources department staff, develops and maintains human resources systems, analyzes financial reports, and recommends improvements regarding employment laws, policies, and procedures to senior management. Our placed candidate is responsible for the administration, coordination, and evaluation of the human resources functions for their U.S. corporate offices and bakeries.

Director of Culinary

A growing restaurant chain worked with us to find their Director of Culinary. The position is responsible for overseeing short- and long-term product development in order to meet or exceed the company’s profit, financial, and market growth goals. Our placed candidate also manages the Innovation Chefs, implements core menu developments, and is in charge of leading the test kitchen and researching food and beverage trends to discover innovation opportunities for the company.

We Can Fill Your Roles Across the Industry

  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
  • Director of Advertising
  • Director of Culinary Operations
  • Director of Human Resources
  • Director of Information Technology (IT)
  • Director of Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) Operations
  • Executive Chef
  • Financial Controller
  • Multi-Unit Manager
  • President
  • Regional Director of Operations
  • Sales Manager
  • Vice President of Brand Strategy and Marketing
  • Vice President of Business Development
  • Vice President of Compensation and Benefits
  • Vice President of Operations
  • Vice President of Sales

Check Out Our Latest Restaurant Jobs

Our client is a family-owned tavern offering an extensive menu, signature cocktails, and a cozy…

We Recruit Nationwide Including the Following Major Markets

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