Summary
Responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all restaurant design activities for Company owned and Franchise development projects, both Domestic and International. Leads the internal design function that produces design packages, renderings, equipment layouts, and elevations for new stores, remodels, and non-traditional venues, whether developed in-house or through managed external architectural partners, depending on department capability and project requirements. Owns final layout approval for all restaurants and ensures current brand positioning is reflected in every design, partnering with Marketing on the evolution of brand identity and its application to the built environment. Manages budgets and vendor relationships to maximize ROI, and serves as the primary design resource for Franchise partners and their consultants, ensuring brand standards are incorporated in all projects worldwide.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Directs design delivery for all corporate and franchise projects, producing design packages, floor plans, equipment layouts, and renderings in-house where department capability allows, and scoping, selecting, and managing external architectural consultants where outside expertise or licensure is required. Manages consultant scope, budget, and quality in either model.
- Manages corporate restaurant design timelines for remodels and new store construction, coordinating key dates for timely delivery of required plans and building permit issuance.
- Reviews and approves Construction Documents, Shop Drawings, and all design vendor quotes and drawings, including all FF&E related items, for new and renovation stores. Manages equipment specification, bulk ordering strategies, lead times, and value engineering of materials and finishes to optimize cost and schedule.
- Leads, develops, and delegates to design department staff, assigning projects end to end, providing mentorship, and building succession capability within the department.
- Serves as primary design contact for International Franchise partners, producing or directing renderings and equipment layouts that support entry into new markets, and coordinating with international marketing partners to ensure consistent application of branding elements, signage, and graphics across all countries.
- Supports franchise sales and development, including preparation and delivery of Discovery Day design presentations, early feasibility layouts that allow prospective franchisees to visualize the concept within their space, and preliminary budget estimates for equipment, signage, and menu boards.
- Develops prototype, small-format, and venue-specific designs (kiosks, c-stores, travel centers, elevated-finish locations, fast casual formats) to enable expansion into non-traditional channels and new market segments.
- Coordinates with design consultants selected by Franchise partners, establishing relationships, assisting on initial floor plans, and providing direction and access to required brand standard elements. Directly addresses and resolves franchisee design and signage issues within the scope of the role.
- Owns the creation, maintenance, and distribution of design related brand standards, including the Design Playbook and standards library, ensuring current materials are accessible to the field and franchise system.
- Collaborates with Marketing on changes and evolution to the brand identity, translating new or updated branding elements, signage, and graphics into restaurant design applications and ensuring they are incorporated consistently across new stores, remodels, and international projects.
- Establishes and maintains communication protocols with company Operations field teams, leadership, culinary staff, Marketing, and IT to obtain feedback, direction, and approval on all layouts and floor plans.
- Works closely with the VP Development and the Directors of Facilities, Construction, and Real Estate for project assistance and collaboration, coordinating design handoffs while ensuring construction-phase questions are routed to the appropriate construction and facilities resources.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Skills and Knowledge
Excellent knowledge of architectural design related issues specific to restaurant, retail, and multi-unit development. Excellent communications, organizational, strategic planning, analytical, relationship building, and management skills are core to the position. Demonstrated ability to develop and lead staff, manage franchisee relationships including direct resolution of design related conflicts, influence cross-functional partners, and handle confidential information. Advanced proficiency with AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop and InDesign), 3D rendering tools, and Microsoft Office required; Revit proficiency preferred. Ability to produce permit-ready design documentation, or to effectively scope and manage external architects of record where in-house production is not feasible.
Education and Experience
Bachelor's Degree required, degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or related field preferred. Architectural licensure or in-house design production capability strongly preferred; candidates without licensure must demonstrate experience managing external architectural consultants for permitted construction projects. 7-10 years' experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Restaurant, retail, or hospitality industry experience preferred.
Pay: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
