Associate, Core Operations (IHOP)

Based in Pasadena, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries, franchises restaurants under Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar®, IHOP® and Fuzzy's Taco Shop® brands. With over 3,500 restaurants combined in 18 countries and 354 franchisees as of December 31, 2023, Dine Brands is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world. For more information on Dine Brands, visit the Company's website located at www.dinebrands.com.

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The Associate, Core Operations, is a key contributor within the Restaurant Excellence team, supporting the execution and validation of product and menu initiatives for IHOP. This role focuses on ensuring new products, processes, and programs are operationally sound, scalable, and aligned with brand standards. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about improving restaurant-level execution through detailed testing, validation and cross-functional collaboration.

This role requires a hands-on operator who can manage multiple initiatives, communicate effectively across departments, and support the successful rollout of new menu items and operational enhancements. You’ll work closely with Culinary, Marketing, Field Operations, and Franchise partners to ensure every initiative is tested, validated, and ready for system-wide execution.

As a collaborative operator, you’ll partner with Operations, Field Teams, Culinary, and Marketing to support initiatives that enhance restaurant performance. You’ll help translate strategy into action, ensuring programs are executable and aligned with IHOP’s growth goals.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Core Operations, you’ll contribute to the execution of IHOP’s operational roadmap. This is an opportunity to grow your leadership skills while helping shape the future of a beloved American brand.

Responsibilities:

• Schedule and Manage Operational Testing: Coordinate the planning and execution of in-restaurant testing and validations for new initiatives. Ensure test locations are properly prepared, timelines are clearly communicated, and results are accurately captured.
• Lead Validation Efforts: Partner with Field Operations and Franchisees to conduct structured validations of new processes, tools, or menu items. Analyze feedback and performance data to assess feasibility and scalability.
• Develop Communication Plans: Create and manage comprehensive communication strategies to support program rollouts. Ensure messaging is clear, consistent, and tailored to various audiences including franchisees, field teams, and cross-functional partners.
• Facilitate Stakeholder Alignment: Lead regular touchpoints with internal and external stakeholders to share updates, gather feedback, and ensure alignment on program goals and execution timelines.
• Produce High-Impact Materials: Draft and deliver operational guides, training documents, and field communications that support successful implementation and integration of initiatives.
• Ensure Feedback Loops: Establish mechanisms for collecting and integrating field feedback into program design and execution. Use insights to refine communications and improve operational outcomes.
• Support Program Execution: Assist the Field Team in the rollout of operational initiatives that improve efficiency, drive sales, and enhance guest satisfaction.
• Coordinate Cross-Functional Efforts: Work with internal team to ensure alignment and timely delivery of key programs.
• Monitor Performance Metrics: Track program outcomes and identify opportunities for improvement through data analysis and field feedback.
• Facilitate Communication: Provide clear updates to stakeholders on project status, timelines, and results.
• Engage Franchise Partners: Support franchise operations teams with tools, resources, and guidance to drive successful implementation.
• Promote Operational Excellence: Help foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability across the organization.
• Target Salary $100k-$110k based on experience

Skills & Requirements:

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in business, analytics, and/or hospitality. Minimum 2+ years of experience in restaurant operations or multi-unit retail. Experience supporting cross-functional initiatives is preferred.
• Analytical Thinking: Comfortable working with data to assess performance and recommend improvements.
• Operational Knowledge: Understanding restaurant operations, especially Back of House processes. Ability to identify practical solutions that improve execution and efficiency.
• Project Coordination: Strong organizational and communication skills. Experience managing timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder engagement.
• Industry Familiarity: Background in restaurant, hospitality, or franchise environments is a plus.
• Team Collaboration: Ability to work effectively across departments and build strong working relationships.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced environment. Willing to travel up to 20% to stay connected to frontline operations.
• Bias for Action: Proactive and solution-oriented. Comfortable making decisions with limited information and adjusting based on feedback.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Dine Brands Global strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, veteran status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act and/or other applicable laws and regulations in other jurisdictions.

Dine Brands reviews criminal history in connection with a conditional offer of employment. The following is a list of all material job duties which Dine Brands reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment: implement brand standards such as food safety at all restaurants for a uniform guest experience; physically inspect restaurant premises belonging to franchisees; and facilitate frequent and close interactions with franchisees, franchisee employees, guests, and other third parties.  

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