Restaurant Operations Management Jobs in Iowa

Restaurant Operations Management jobs in Iowa are in steady demand, with openings concentrated in full-service dining groups, hospitality and hotel food and beverage operations, and institutional food service at university and healthcare campuses. The busiest hiring markets are Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City, where employers such as Hy-Vee Food Stores, Marriott-affiliated properties, and Sodexo maintain consistent operations management needs. The most sought-after specialties include multi-unit oversight, food safety compliance, and cost control. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Jobs

Overview

Open roles52
Top employerPanera Bread
Top cityDes Moines, IA
Cities hiring25
Work type100% On-site
Top credentialHigh school diploma or GED

Showing 5 of 52+ Restaurant Operations Management jobs

Love’s Travel Stops
Restaurant Team Member Part Time
We won't show you this job again
Love’s Travel Stops
Added 1d ago
Restaurant Team Member Part Time
Love’s Travel Stops
Shelby, Iowa
Business Development
Partnerships & Business Development
Sales
On-Site
Military encouraged
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Love’s Travel Stops
Restaurant Team Member Part Time
We won't show you this job again
Love’s Travel Stops
Added 1d ago
Restaurant Team Member Part Time
Love’s Travel Stops
Davenport, Iowa
Business Development
Partnerships & Business Development
Sales
On-Site
Military encouraged
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

P
Restaurant Team Member
We won't show you this job again
P
Added 2d ago
Restaurant Team Member
Potbelly
Des Moines, Iowa
Business Operations
Customer Service
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Food Safety Certification

Have you applied for this role?

J
General Manager - Restaurant
We won't show you this job again
J
Added 2d ago
General Manager - Restaurant
JOSEPH'S STEAKHOUSE
Iowa City, Iowa
Business Operations
Business Strategy
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$22 - $28/hr
On-Site
High school diploma or GED

Have you applied for this role?

Hilton Garden Inn Hotel
Restaurant Service Manager
We won't show you this job again
Hilton Garden Inn Hotel
Added 6d ago
Restaurant Service Manager
Hilton Garden Inn Hotel
Iowa City, Iowa
Corporate Training
Learning & Development
Project Management
$55k - $60k/yr
Bachelor of Arts
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

See All 52 Restaurant Operations Management Jobs in Iowa

Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Jobs

Restaurant Operations Management Jobs by City in Iowa

Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Des Moines
9 jobs
Cedar Rapids
5 jobs
Iowa City
4 jobs
Newton
3 jobs
Davenport
3 jobs
West Des Moines
3 jobs
Clive
2 jobs
Ankeny
2 jobs
Dubuque
2 jobs

Restaurant Operations Management Job Market in Iowa

A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Panera Bread
Panera Bread9 open roles
Perkins Restaurants & Bakery
Perkins Restaurants & Bakery8 open roles
K
KFC FMI6 open roles

What Iowa Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in restaurant operations management jobs across Iowa.

  • Proven experience managing restaurant or food service operations across multiple locations
  • Strong knowledge of food safety standards and Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals compliance requirements
  • Demonstrated ability to manage labor scheduling, cost controls, and P and L accountability
  • Experience recruiting, training, and developing hourly and supervisory staff
  • Proficiency with point-of-sale systems, inventory management software, and reporting tools
  • Bachelor's degree in hospitality management, business administration, or a related field preferred

Restaurant Operations Management Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a restaurant operations management in Iowa?

Most restaurant operations management roles in Iowa require a combination of progressive food service experience and formal education, typically a bachelor's degree in hospitality management or business. Iowa does not require a state-issued license to manage restaurant operations, but ServSafe Food Manager certification is a near-universal employer requirement and aligns with Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals food safety expectations. Candidates who advance into multi-unit or director-level roles typically build their path through assistant management positions at high-volume operations.

Which companies hire restaurant operations managements in Iowa?

Employers hiring restaurant operations managements in Iowa right now include Panera Bread, Perkins Restaurants & Bakery, and KFC FMI, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Iowa's mix of regional grocery and hospitality anchors, contract food service operators, and growing quick-service franchise groups makes it an active market for experienced operations managers.

Which Iowa cities have the most restaurant operations management jobs?

Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City lead for restaurant operations management openings in Iowa. Des Moines drives the largest share given its concentration of corporate headquarters, hotel and convention properties, and regional dining groups, while Cedar Rapids and Iowa City generate consistent demand through university food service operations, healthcare campus dining, and strong local restaurant markets.

Are there remote restaurant operations management jobs in Iowa?

Yes, but they're rare. Restaurant operations management is fundamentally an on-site role requiring direct oversight of staff, kitchens, and guest experience, so most positions are location-specific. About 0% of restaurant operations management openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those tend to be regional director or corporate training roles where administrative responsibilities outweigh floor presence.

How can I get hired as a restaurant operations management in Iowa with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is moving up from a shift supervisor or assistant manager role at a high-volume Iowa operation. Large employers such as Hy-Vee, Sodexo, and regional hotel food and beverage groups regularly promote from within and hire candidates into structured management trainee programs. Earning a ServSafe Food Manager certification before applying signals readiness to Iowa employers and satisfies the state's food safety compliance baseline without requiring prior management experience.

Where can I find and apply to restaurant operations management jobs in Iowa?

You can find and apply to restaurant operations management jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated in real time. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level and preferred market, then apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 52 Restaurant Operations Management Jobs in Iowa

Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Jobs