Position Overview: The
Manager of Restaurant Experience - Equipment & Design is responsible for ensuring best-in-class restaurant operations through the evaluation, selection, and implementation of equipment, smallwares, and design elements. This role plays a key part in optimizing restaurant efficiency, supporting field teams, and maintaining brand standards in both new and existing locations. The Manager will work cross-functionally with operations, culinary, equipment, construction, and design teams to ensure all equipment and layouts align with business needs. This position will have one direct report and report to the Senior Director of Restaurant Experience.
Key Responsibilities: Equipment & Smallware Testing & Evaluation - Lead testing, evaluation, and selection of restaurant equipment and smallwares to improve operational efficiency and quality.
- Partner with vendors to ensure equipment meets performance, safety, and durability standards.
- Manage pilot programs for new equipment and smallwares, gathering feedback from operations teams.
- Develop equipment and smallware specifications, documentation, and training materials for field teams.
Restaurant Design Review & Approval - Review and approve restaurant layout designs to ensure alignment with operational best practices and brand standards.
- Collaborate with design, construction, and operations teams to optimize workflows and kitchen layouts.
- Provide recommendations on spatial planning, equipment placement, and ergonomic design.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and accessibility regulations.
Field Support & Operational Efficiency - Serve as a subject matter expert to field teams, providing guidance on equipment, layout, and operational improvements.
- Conduct site visits to assess and enhance restaurant efficiency, troubleshooting equipment and layout challenges.
- Identify opportunities to enhance speed of service, employee productivity, and overall guest experience.
Leadership & Collaboration - Manage and mentor one direct report, providing coaching and professional development opportunities.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams including Operations, Facilities, Construction, and Culinary to align on strategic initiatives.
- Stay up to date on industry trends, innovations, and emerging technologies in restaurant equipment and design.
Qualifications & Skills: - 5+ years of experience in restaurant equipment, design, operations, or a related field.
- A bachelor's degree or equivalent field experience
- Strong understanding of restaurant workflows, kitchen layouts, and operational efficiencies.
- Experience testing and evaluating restaurant equipment and smallwares.
- Knowledge of health and safety regulations, foodservice equipment specifications, and industry best practices.
- Excellent problem-solving, project management, and communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external vendors.
- Experience managing direct reports is preferred.
- Willingness to travel for site visits, field support, and industry events.
This role is ideal for a detail-oriented, solutions-driven professional passionate about improving restaurant operations through innovative equipment and thoughtful design.
Travel - up to 20%
Inspire Brands is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 32,000 Arby's, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin', Jimmy John's, and SONIC restaurants worldwide.
We're made up of some of the world's most iconic restaurant brands, but we're much more than just a restaurant company. We're a team of hundreds of thousands who individually and collectively are changing the way people eat, drink, and gather around the table. We know that food is much more than a staple-it's an experience. At Inspire, that's our purpose: to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences.
At SONIC, we encourage and attract wildly creative people. Bold, unique personalities whose passion for what they do shows in the food, the experience and the culture of our brand. Sound like you? Join us as we deliver delightful and delicious moments to our guests.