Job: CFO (Food Service Industry)

Company Overview

Our client is a dynamic and rapidly growing food service company with approximately 30 diverse locations across Miami, FL, and Las Vegas, NV, ranging from specialty coffee shops to full-service restaurants. Recognized for their commitment to quality, customer experience, and operational excellence, they are an industry leader blending innovation with tradition to create exceptional dining experiences.

Objective of the Role

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be a key strategic leader responsible for driving financial performance, optimizing capital structure, and ensuring the company’s financial sustainability. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CFO will oversee all financial operations, lead strategic financial initiatives—including debt consolidation, restructuring, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), and banking relationships—and align financial strategies with overall business objectives. This role is critical in enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring regulatory compliance, and securing financial resources to support long-term growth.

Ideal Profile

The ideal candidate will be an experienced financial leader with a strong background in multi-location operations, preferably in the food service or hospitality industry. They will bring deep expertise in capital structuring, debt management, banking negotiations, and M&A transactions, along with a hands-on approach to financial and operational challenges. Given the company’s presence in Miami and Las Vegas, fluency in Spanish and English is required to effectively engage with a diverse set of stakeholders, including lenders, investors, and business partners.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA or CPA preferred.
• Minimum 10+ years of financial leadership experience, with a preference for candidates from the hospitality, food service, or retail industries.
• Proven track record in financial restructuring, debt consolidation, and capital raising.
• Experience leading M&A transactions, including due diligence, valuation, and post-merger integration.
• Strong background in banking negotiations, investor relations, and securing financing solutions.
• Expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and risk management.
• Proficiency in financial systems such as SAP, QuickBooks, or similar platforms.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English (required).

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute financial strategies that support revenue growth, operational expansion, and capital efficiency.
• Lead debt restructuring and consolidation efforts to optimize the company’s financial health.
• Identify and assess opportunities for M&A transactions, including financial modeling, valuation, and strategic partnerships.
• Establish and manage relationships with banks, lenders, and investors, ensuring the company maintains access to capital and favorable financing terms.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to the CEO, board, and executive leadership team.

Financial Management & Optimization

• Oversee budgeting, financial planning, and forecasting for multi-location operations.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, including P&L statements, cash flow analysis, and performance metrics.
• Manage cash flow, working capital, and liquidity to sustain business growth.
• Direct capital allocation and investment strategies to maximize financial returns.
• Drive operational efficiency and cost optimization across procurement, labor, and supply chain functions.

Banking & Debt Management

• Lead negotiations with financial institutions, banks, and private investors to secure competitive financing.
• Develop and execute strategies for debt consolidation and refinancing to strengthen financial stability.
• Ensure compliance with loan covenants, credit agreements, and banking regulations.

Operational Oversight & Compliance

• Supervise accounting, payroll, and financial operations teams to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
• Establish and maintain strong internal financial controls to mitigate risks.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, tax laws, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee internal and external audits, maintaining transparency in financial reporting.

Stakeholder & Investor Relations

• Serve as the primary liaison with banks, investors, auditors, and key financial partners.
• Prepare and present financial reports, forecasts, and strategic recommendations to the board of directors and executive leadership.
• Build relationships with external stakeholders to support business expansion and funding opportunities.

Leadership & Team Development

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing finance team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Implement best practices in financial operations, reporting, and corporate governance.

Key Attributes for Success

• Deep understanding of food service or hospitality financial models.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to drive financial performance.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills, particularly in banking and capital markets.
• High-level communication abilities to convey complex financial data to non-financial stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and ability to navigate financial challenges in a fast-paced environment.