DRG is seeking a Director of Maintenance to join our growing team!
The Director of Maintenance is responsible for leading maintenance operations across all markets, ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of all restaurant equipment and facilities. This role is critical to operational success, driving repair and maintenance (R&M) strategy, budgeting, and execution in support of restaurant performance.
This leader oversees internal maintenance teams and external vendor networks, balancing cost, speed, and quality of service across a distributed portfolio of QSR locations. The Director partners cross-functionally with Operations, Development, and Brand teams to support daily operations, remodels, and new restaurant builds.
This is a leadership role with 25–40% travel in the field across markets.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Maintenance Operations & Strategy
- Lead end-to-end maintenance operations across all markets, ensuring uptime and performance of restaurant equipment and facilities
- Develop and manage the annual R&M budget as part of the AOP process; monitor performance and drive adherence throughout the year
- Establish and optimize preventive maintenance programs to reduce downtime and extend asset lifecycle
- Drive decision-making on repair vs. replacement strategies using data, cost analysis, and operational impact
Work Order & Fleet Management
- Oversee work order management systems (e.g., ServiceChannel, Corrigo, or similar), ensuring efficient dispatch, tracking, and resolution
- Manage the balance between internal technicians and third-party vendors to optimize cost, response time, and quality
- Build and manage a scalable fleet strategy, including technician deployment, vendor utilization, and workload prioritization
- Monitor SLAs and performance metrics to ensure timely and consistent service delivery
Vendor & Partner Management
- Lead national and regional vendor relationships, including sourcing, contract negotiation, and performance management
- Establish and enforce SLAs, KPIs, and service standards across all vendors
- Evaluate vendor performance using dashboards and reporting tools; drive continuous improvement and cost efficiencies
Project & Capital Management
- Partner with Development and Construction teams to support new builds, remodels, and major capital projects
- Ensure all projects meet brand standards, timelines, and budget requirements
- Coordinate with contractors, engineers, and internal stakeholders to ensure successful execution
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of maintenance technicians and managers across multiple regions
- Drive a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement
- Support recruiting, onboarding, and ongoing training initiatives
- Deliver technical and procedural training to field teams and operators
Data, Reporting & Performance Management
- Analyze maintenance data and KPIs to identify trends, improve performance, and reduce costs
- Generate and present reports to senior leadership on operational performance, risks, and opportunities
- Utilize data to drive strategic decisions and continuous process improvement
Emergency Response & Compliance
- Ensure rapid response to critical equipment failures and emergency situations
- Maintain compliance with all relevant mechanical, safety, and regulatory standards
LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS:
Building Effective Teams - Blends people into teams when needed; creates strong morale and spirit in his/her team; shares wins and successes; fosters open dialogue; lets people finish and be responsible for their work; defines success in terms of the whole team; creates a feeling of belonging in the team.
Customer Focus - Dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
Collaboration – Ability to work in a positive manner across all functional teams to deliver the desired results as a team. An influential team member, communicator, decision maker and leader.
Functional / Technical Skills - Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment.
Priority Setting - Spends time and the time of others on what's important; quickly zeros in on the critical few and puts the trivial many aside; can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal; eliminates roadblocks; creates focus.
Problem Solving - Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; probes all fruitful sources for answers; can see hidden problems; is excellent at honest analysis; looks beyond the obvious and doesn't stop at the first answers.
Command Skills - Relishes leading; takes unpopular stands if necessary; encourages direct and tough debate but isn't afraid to end it and move on; is looked to for direction in a crisis; faces adversity head on; energized by tough challenges.
Business Acumen- Knows how businesses work; knowledgeable in current and possible future policies, practices, trends, technology, and information affecting business and organization; knows the competition; is aware of how strategies and tactics work in the marketplace.
Directing Others - Is good at establishing clear directions; sets stretching objectives; distributes the workload appropriately; lays out work in a well-planned and organized manner; maintains two-way dialogue with others on work and results; brings out the best in people; is a clear communicator.
Planning - Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks and projects; sets objectives and goals; breaks down work into the process steps; develops schedules and task/people assignments; anticipates and adjusts for problems and roadblocks; measures performance against goals; evaluates results.
REQUIRED CAPABILITIES:
- Deep expertise in HVAC, refrigeration, and commercial kitchen equipment
- Strong strategic and financial acumen, particularly in R&M cost management
- Proven ability to balance in-house and outsourced maintenance models effectively
- Advanced vendor management and negotiation skills
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
- Ability to prioritize in a fast-paced, multi-unit environment
- Exceptional leadership skills with experience managing distributed teams
- Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
QUALIFICATIONS:
- EPA Certification required
- HVAC/Refrigeration certification or equivalent technical training
- 10+ years of progressive experience in facilities maintenance, preferably in QSR or multi-unit retail
- 5+ years of leadership experience managing multi-site teams and vendors
- Experience with maintenance management systems (e.g., ServiceChannel, Corrigo, EkoTrak)
- Familiarity with mechanical codes and regulatory requirements
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints and technical drawings
- Valid driver’s license and ability to pass MVR screening
- Willingness to travel 25–40%
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to lift 20–50 lbs. occasionally, 10–25 lbs. frequently, and up to 10 lbs. continuously
- Requires standing and walking for extended periods
- Physical stamina to perform demanding tasks, including lifting, climbing ladders, and working in confined or awkward positions
ABOUT US:
Diversified Restaurant Group is a people first company! We pride ourselves on being a large company with a small company feel. Every person that works here is part of the DRG Family! What started as a 30-unit Taco Bell business in 2012, has since grown into a 300+ unit, multi-brand operation. DRG currently operates Taco Bell restaurants in California, Kansas, Missouri, and Nevada
along with Arby’s restaurants in Alaska and Nevada. We have more than 9,000 team members and continue to grow every day!
DISCLAIMER:
You are applying to Diversified Restaurant Group, a franchisee of Taco Bell and Arby’s Corp. If hired, the franchisee will be your only employer. Franchisees are independent business owners who set their own wage and benefit programs that can vary among franchisees.
Pay: Up to $150,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Facilities maintenance: 10 years (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- EPA 609 Certification (Preferred)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
