Restaurant Franchise Operations Consultant (open to Toronto or Halifax near major airport)

About International Dairy Queen, Inc.International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ), based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation and Dairy Queen Canada, Inc. Through its subsidiaries, IDQ develops, licenses, and services a system of more than 7,800 DQ restaurants in more than 20 countries. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. For more information, visit DairyQueen.com.

Here at IDQ, we create extraordinary Fan experiences every day and we do this through our commitment to hiring and retaining only the best in class talent. We firmly believe that our employees are the catalyst to the success of the company where their initiative, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit are recognized and rewarded. We're looking for motivated, passionate and dedicated individuals with an inherent need and ambition to go after bigger challenges.

To provide project management for newly approved locations throughout Canada, and U.S. as needed, manage the process of opening new locations, provide supervision through on-site visits and effective post-opening consulting. Utilize knowledge of restaurant operations and staff resources to provide counsel, advice, and assistance to franchisee owners/operators, to positively impact and improve their sales, profits, operating standards and systems, while maintaining or exceeding customer expectations. Facilitate the maximizing of the sales and profits of these new restaurants through operations excellence, thereby increasing the opportunity for additional development of restaurants and profitability. Protect Dairy Queen® brand and respective trademarks.

Principal Accountabilities

• Function as project manager of newly approved locations and provides leadership and direction to cross-functional teams, both pre- and post-opening, for the development and on-going operation of successful restaurants to achieve the targeted operational and financial key performance indicators while in the assigned district.
• Plan, organize, direct and control the activities for new restaurants as assigned from time of approval until the goals established in the transfer criteria are met and/or exceeded and the restaurant is transferred to the Operations Division.
• Ensure necessary initiatives are taken on a timely basis so that goals are accomplished in the areas of product quality, food safety, quality of service, speed of service, employee morale, productivity and profitability. Anticipate problems and develop workable solutions. Effectiveness will be measured by your ability to create economic value.
• Provide business consulting services to recently opened locations within the assigned district. Prepare and analyze statistical data relating to the restaurant opening to improve restaurant operations including sales and profitability key performance indicators.
• Train and implement the utilization of the PRIDE operating systems and routines to ensure franchisee compliance with ADQ’s operations policies and procedures using learning management systems and brand standards materials. Maintain consistent performance standards among franchisees within the assigned district.
• Evaluate restaurant facilities and operations via company provided measures. Provide recommendations and consulting that will positively effect overall operations, sales and profitability.
• Monitor franchisees training process. Ensure brand integrity is/will be maintained and training schedules comply with franchise agreements. Ensure that each location has the correct number of certified managers as per that location’s franchise agreement.
• Become an expert in the training, troubleshooting and operation of all restaurant equipment.
• Possess ability to interpret and consult to restaurant equipment layout designs to drive efficiency and compliance with company guidelines.
• Maintain effective communication with the field and cross-functional teams as to activities within the system.
• Assist with the process of championing new ideas (product, service, etc.) from the franchise community. Capture best-demonstrated practices and share to team members and the franchise community.
• Assist with the training of Operation Consultants, Operations Specialists and other corporate team members as assigned.
• Manage operating budget for the position, meeting all needs of the position while maintaining expenses at or below budget.
• Complete administrative duties in a timely fashion including schedules, travel, expense reports, etc.
• Complete other duties and special projects as assigned.

The Canadian national base salary range for this position is CAD $94,991 - $108,370. This position is also eligible for a bonus. The base salary range displayed reflects the targeted hiring range for the same positions across all Canadian locations. Individual pay is determined by job-related skills, work location, and education or experience.

Education & Qualifications:

• B.A. or B.S. Degree in business, education, marketing, or hotel/restaurant management required or equivalent and restaurant operations work experience.
• Must have 3 or more years of increasingly responsible restaurant management (direct P/L responsibility for multi-unit geographically dispersed operations experience) and/or franchise operations management or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple projects and requests simultaneously, within an intense, deadline-driven environment.
• Relationship building skills with the ability to create mutually beneficial relationships with both internal and external clients.
• Ability to work quickly in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Creative thinker who can quickly develop innovative ideas across a wide variety of business units.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate concepts and programs to a variety of audiences.
• Thorough knowledge of restaurant operations.
• Proficient knowledge of marketing, finance, training, human resources, and development.

• Required Skills

• Leadership skills: proven ability to lead opening projects successfully and independently, solving problems and making strong business decisions as needed with minimal supervision.
• Strong ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple projects and requests simultaneously, within an intense, deadline-driven environment. Strong proven planning and goal-setting skills.
• Ability to work quickly in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Well organized with a high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Provide excellent customer service to both internal and external clients.
• Ability to effectively collaborate in a team environment. Ability to effectively coordinate with other departments to complete projects on time.
• Strong knowledge and familiarity with the quick service restaurant industry.

• Job requires:

• Air and car travel for store openings in duration of one to two weeks, up to thirty (30) weeks per year. Such travel is essential to the position and the frequency will be dictated by the needs of the business.
• Working on a personal computer for extended periods of time, up to 8 hours per day.
• Ability to work on holidays, evenings, and weekends, as necessary to meet project deadlines.
• Able to use all restaurant equipment, including broilers, fryers, soft serve machines, and blending machines.
• Frequent communication via telephone, and email.
• Ability to drive an automobile for store openings. Valid driver’s license and clean driving record is required. May require sitting in vehicle up to 6 hours per day.
• Ability to stand on tile and concrete floors for up to 14 hours per day during a restaurant opening.
• Ability to bend, kneel and/or extend arms over head as needed for restaurant operations work.
• Willing to perform all tasks necessary in restaurant operations as a part of training for opening process.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Work Environment:

Most positions located out of our corporate office in Burlington, Ontario will work a hybrid work schedule where you will work 3 collaboration days a week. Additional in office time may be required to support team/project needs.

Inclusion & Belonging

We are committed to creating a culture of inclusion and belonging for all who touch DQ. We believe in and commit to fostering a community where employees bring their authentic selves to work, and where we recruit, engage, and retain employees, franchise owners, and suppliers based on qualifications and merit. We strive to maintain an environment where everyone feels welcome.