HRX Headhunters has been exclusively retained to identify a Chief Financial Officer for a rapidly growing, health-focused fast-casual restaurant brand with 20+ locations across Florida. The company has built strong unit-level performance and brand loyalty and is now entering an aggressive growth phase with the objective to double in size over the next five years. This is a high-impact executive opportunity for a strategic, hands-on finance leader who can scale infrastructure, support expansion, and help shape the long-term capital strategy of a dynamic restaurant platform.
The Opportunity:
The CFO will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and executive team while maintaining ownership of financial performance, systems, and capital planning. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable in the boardroom and in the details — capable of guiding enterprise growth while strengthening financial discipline and operational visibility.
Strategic Leadership & Growth:
- Partner with the CEO to define and execute long-term financial strategy
- Develop scenario planning models to guide expansion decisions
- Support franchising initiatives, M&A activity, and new market entry
- Lead capital structure evaluation and fundraising efforts (debt, equity, PE)
- Serve as primary liaison to banking partners and investors
- Provide forward-looking financial insights to support growth objectives
Financial & Operational Oversight:
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management
- Transition from static annual budgets to rolling forecasts
- Oversee outsourced accounting functions while strengthening internal controls
- Ensure compliance with banking covenants, tax requirements, and regulatory standards
- Optimize working capital and store-level performance metrics
- Drive ERP and financial systems enhancements (Microsoft Dynamics 365 or similar preferred)
First 90-Day Priorities:
- Lead creation of the 2026 Budget
- Assume full ownership of day-to-day finance operations
- Strengthen cash management and accounts payable processes
- Evaluate current financial processes and implement control improvements
Ideal Candidate Profile:
- 10–15+ years of progressive finance leadership experience
- Proven success scaling a multi-unit restaurant, hospitality, or franchised platform
- Demonstrated M&A experience in restaurant or hospitality environments
- Strong accounting foundation with strategic finance capability
- Experience managing investor relations and institutional banking relationships
- Track record of raising capital and negotiating debt facilities
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required; MBA, CPA, or CFA preferred
Why This Role Is Compelling:
- Clear mandate to help double enterprise size
- Direct strategic influence at the executive level
- Opportunity to professionalize and scale financial infrastructure
- Ability to shape long-term capital strategy of a growing brand
- Highly visible leadership role within a values-driven culture