Restaurant Executive Search NYC — Nigel Wright Group
Restaurant Executive Search Firm in New York City
Nigel Wright Group is an executive search firm built for consumer-facing brands. In New York, we partner with restaurant leaders who need hiring decisions for growth, turnaround, or scale. Senior stakeholders come to us when the role is business-critical, the market is noisy, and speed cannot compromise quality.
What we do (in one minute)
Restaurant executive search focuses on identifying and securing proven leaders for complex, multi-site and high-volume environments. Our work supports private equity portfolio companies, franchisors, owner-operators, and global hospitality groups with U.S. footprints.
Typical leadership roles we deliver
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President
- Chief Operating Officer (COO) / Head of restaurant operations
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and VP Finance
- Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) / VP Growth
- VP People / CHRO and Head of Reward
- VP Supply Chain, Procurement, and Food Safety
- Regional Operations Director and Area Vice President
Are you recruiting?
Chat with our experts now via Live Chat or email us
with your requirements using this link and we'll
respond the same working day.
Why restaurant leaders use Nigel Wright Group
Hiring at the executive level is rarely about a resume match. Market dynamics, brand standards, and unit economics shape what “good” looks like. Our consultants understand how labor, throughput, menu strategy, and guest experience intersect, then translate that reality into a clear search brief.
How we run a search
A search starts with alignment on outcomes, not a list of duties. We map target organizations, create a calibrated scorecard, and approach candidates discreetly. Every longlist is built from an extensive network and structured research, then filtered through evidence from comparable environments.
Proven restaurant executive search track record
New York is a demanding market for restaurant leadership. Competition is intense, operating costs are high, and expectations around brand execution remain high across every location. Our work reflects that complexity, with senior hires delivered across global and regional operators.
Experience across leading restaurant and hospitality brands
Nigel Wright Group has supported executive search and senior hiring activity for organizations including McDonald's, Starbucks, Burger King, Krispy Kreme, Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, Compass Group, SSP Group, and Caffè Nero.
Assignments across these businesses have typically focused on:
- Strengthening executive leadership teams in multi-site environments
- Hiring operational leaders responsible for regional or national performance
- Appointing functional executives across finance, marketing, HR, and supply chain
- Supporting growth strategies tied to new market entry or portfolio expansion
- Building leadership capability aligned to brand consistency and customer experience
This breadth provides clients with relevant benchmarking insight when defining leadership requirements and evaluating candidates.
What makes us different
Many firms are strong at sourcing, yet few combine sector insight with functional depth. Nigel Wright Group was built around consumer industries, so we speak the language of restaurants, QSR, foodservice, and hospitality. Clients value our ability to engage passive candidates, protect confidentiality, and deliver a shortlist that is top tier.
A note on candidate care
We run executive search for employers, not for job seekers. Even so, professional communication still matters because it protects your employer brand and improves close rates. Our approach supports your internal talent acquisition team while maintaining a consistent candidate experience.
Ready to hire in New York?
If you are hiring a CEO, COO, or functional leader for a restaurant business in New York, we can help you move quickly and make the right call. Share your brief and timeline today, and we will outline a search plan, including target mapping across the United States.
Contact Nigel Wright Group to discuss your restaurant executive search requirements in New York.
United States Office
Telephone: (929) 564-5988
Email: letstalk@nigelwright.com
Address: 353 Lexington Avenue, 4th Floor, Suite 400, New York, NY, US 10016