Restaurant executive recruiters who know the business.
David Ulrich Associates is a retained executive search firm that recruits leaders for QSR, fast casual, casual dining and franchise organizations. From General Managers to the C-suite, we find operators who fit your culture, run the numbers and grow units, and we back every placement with a guarantee.
Leaders for every level of a restaurant organization
Why restaurant brands choose a retained search firm
Most restaurant recruiters work on contingency. They're paid only if you hire, and many treat your open role as a marketing opportunity: a reason to blast the position to their entire database and build relationships with candidates they can shop to other companies. DUA works on a retained, exclusive basis instead.
One committed team
A dedicated team on your search from kickoff to signed offer, not a race between agencies.
A deeper candidate pool
We reach passive leaders who aren't applying anywhere, drawing on a network of more than 20,000 restaurant executives.
Your search, not their advertisement
We approach candidates discreetly, one by one, for your role only. Your search isn't broadcast to a database, and recruiting the leaders we place for you away afterward isn't part of our practice.
Fit over speed
We assess leadership style and culture, not just resumes and tenure.
How our restaurant executive search works
Discovery
We learn the role, your culture and what success looks like in the first year, then build the candidate profile from that.
Search
We map the market, approach passive and active candidates, and screen for operations results, leadership and fit.
Shortlist
You meet a short list of vetted finalists, with our notes on each, and we coordinate interviews and references.
Offer and Onboarding
We help close the offer and stay in touch through the first months, which is where the guarantee comes in.
Every placement is guaranteed.
If a placement doesn't work out within the guarantee period, we run a replacement search for you.
Full terms are outlined in your engagement agreement.
Trusted by restaurant operators and franchise groups
We regularly recruit for franchise groups and restaurant brands across QSR, fast casual and casual dining, from growing single-brand operators to multi-brand portfolios.
“I am so impressed with this team's dedication, expertise and commitment to growing brands.”
Questions about restaurant executive recruiters
What does a restaurant executive recruiter do?
A restaurant executive recruiter finds, screens and presents leadership candidates for restaurant companies, from General Managers and District Managers to VPs and C-suite executives. A good one knows restaurant operations well enough to judge a candidate's P&L results, team leadership and culture fit, not just their resume. For General Manager, Assistant GM and Restaurant Manager hiring, see our flat-fee restaurant management recruiting.
What's the difference between a retained and a contingency restaurant recruiter?
A contingency recruiter is paid only if you hire their candidate, so many blast your open role to their entire database, compete with other agencies, and keep marketing those same candidates to other companies, sometimes even after a placement. A retained firm like DUA is engaged exclusively, runs your search confidentially, and focuses on finding the right leader for you, including passive candidates who aren't job hunting.
What types of restaurant companies do you work with?
QSR, fast casual, casual dining and multi-brand franchise operators, from growing franchisees to established restaurant groups and brands, across the United States.
Do you recruit for franchisees?
Yes. We regularly recruit for franchise groups, from single-brand operators to multi-brand portfolios.
How long does a restaurant executive search take?
It depends on the role, level and market. We set a timeline with you at kickoff and keep you updated as the search moves.
Do you guarantee your placements?
Yes. Guarantees range from 6 months for restaurant-level leaders to 2 years for C-level placements. If a placement doesn't work out in that window, we run a replacement search.
How do I start a search?
Book a discovery call with David Ulrich or send us a note through the contact form. We'll talk through the role and how a search would work.
Hiring a restaurant leader? Let's talk.
Tell us about the role and your timeline. You'll speak with the recruiter who would lead your search, in as little as one business day.