Reports to: CEO
Location: Antwerp (HQ – approx. 3 days/week), with regular presence across Belgium and the Netherlands
Direct Reports: Country Director BE, Country Director NL, Excellence & Quality Director, Strategic Growth Project Manager, Operations Intelligence Expert
Indirect Reports: Regional Managers, Quality, Supply Chain, Customer Care, and Operations Support teams (Product, People, Marketing, Digital & Operations Intelligence)
1. Role Context & Mission
Hawaiian is a fast-growing restaurant chain that combines healthy fast casual dining with operational excellence and a strong culture rooted in “caring meritocracy.”
With rapid expansion in Belgium and the Netherlands—and further international growth on the horizon—the company is entering a new phase of scale.
As part of the Executive Leadership Team, the COO translates the company vision and strategic objectives, defined by the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, into a profitable, scalable and high-quality operational reality.
This role requires a balance of strategic vision and hands-on execution: the COO ensures that growth never compromises quality, culture, or profitability.
2. Strategic Responsibilities
* Develop and execute the operational strategy that supports the company vision and enables sustainable growth.
* Ensure strategic alignment between all operational departments and overall company goals.
* Lead the Operations Committee (Country Directors BE & NL, Excellence & Quality Director, Strategic Growth Project Manager, Operations Intelligence Expert), ensuring cohesion, decision-making, and focus.
* Build a scalable expansion model for new markets and locations, in collaboration with the CEO, Finance, and the Board of Directors.
* Manage the operational P&L, focusing on revenue growth, margin optimization and cost efficiency.
* Safeguard quality, brand consistency and guest experience through close collaboration with Excellence & Quality.
* Integrate data and technology (via Operations Intelligence) to improve decision-making, forecasting and performance management.
3. Tactical & Leadership Responsibilities
* Lead and develop the members of the Operations Committee, building a strong, high-performing leadership team.
* Create synergy between Belgium and the Netherlands, driving knowledge-sharing, scale benefits and operational consistency.
* Ensure effective collaboration between Operations, People, Finance, Marketing and Product.
* Drive continuous improvement through clear KPI structures, performance reviews and data-driven decision-making.
* Support Country Directors in optimizing restaurants, coaching regional teams and developing talent.
* Strengthen supporting processes such as Supply Chain and Customer Care to empower restaurant teams.
* Lead strategic projects in digitalization, sustainability, efficiency and organizational scalability.
4. KPIs & Success Metrics
* Operational profitability per country, region and restaurant.
* Expansion of profitable stores according to the growth plan.
* Consistent quality and guest experience scores.
* Employee engagement, retention and leadership strength within operations.
* Optimization of cost structures, staffing levels and supply chain efficiency.
* Customer satisfaction and speed of issue resolution.
* Strategic alignment and result-driven collaboration within the Executive Committee.
5. Profile Requirements
* Master’s degree or equivalent experience in business, operations management or hospitality management.
* Minimum 10 years of experience in multi-site operations, ideally in fast casual, hospitality or retail with a strong brand focus.
* Strong affinity for business intelligence, data analytics and digital tools. You understand how to leverage technology and data to increase operational efficiency, scalability and brand consistency.
* Proven experience leading and developing ambitious leadership teams, including full P&L responsibility.
* Strategic and analytical skillset, with a track record in scaling operations (incl. franchise), process optimization and performance management—ideally within a food, hospitality or retail environment.
* Experience with international expansion models.
* A coaching, decisive and execution-driven leadership style.
* Excellent command of Dutch, English and French; German is a plus.
6. Personality & Culture Fit
Hawaiian is not just growing fast—we are growing with purpose. We are not building a chain; we are building a community.
The right COO understands that sustainable growth requires balance between people, processes and culture.
Our values are not slogans—they guide everything we do:
* Be Real – Authentic leadership: honest, transparent and genuine.
* Act as One – One brand, one tribe, united across countries and teams.
* Take Ownership – Do what is right, not what is easy.
* Never Settle – Improve continuously, learn fast, perform better.
* Make a Difference – Use leadership to create impact on people, guests and the world.
* We are on a mission to bring healthy fast food to as many people as possible!
7. Compensation & Benefits
* A competitive, full executive compensation package with annual bonus linked to company results.
* Participation in a long-term incentive plan (LTI).