This position is responsible for the development and execution of strategies to regionalize global menus while addressing the needs of individual counties. This position will lead menu regionalization to provide consistency of the brand message and menu across a region, increase consumer reach, and maximize supply efficiencies. This Director evaluates and weighs the local market needs with Denny’s brand identity to determine the best menu for the market. Once the menu is determined, this Director creates, refines, and assists in sourcing ingredients for new recipes and products that align with the corporate strategy and vision and maintain country-specific relevance under the direction of the Sr. Director, Product Innovation. The position also provides guidance to franchisees on menu layouts, LTO strategies, and other menu marketing needs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Conduct local market evaluations to understand the individual needs of that market related to the menu and messaging support needs. Determine where and when regional programs could maximize profits.
- Lead local franchise partners to determine the best menu and limited-time offers for their market that support Denny’s brand identity and provide profitable sustainable sales.
- Provide guidance and partner with Denny’s marketing subject matter experts to determine the best menu layout and design.
- Support global menu requirements with a balance of local, regional, and US ingredient sourcing. Must match all A-level ingredients and find suitable alternatives for ingredients with subsequent levels of proprietary status. Must use Denny’s standard protocol for international ingredient testing.
- Maintain global recipe and photo database by country, to ensure all Denny’s recipes are protected worldwide and can be assessed by international partners in the event a recipe in one part of the world could be successful in another part.
- Help franchise partners source ingredients to support US programs where applicable and fill voids where necessary. Manage the supply commitment process for franchisee module participation in conjunction with Denny’s purchasing.
- Develop bi-yearly regional ideation sessions to support the efficiencies of regional programs as an alternative to an all-US calendar.
- Support concept ideation of then create recipes that meet the cultural expectations of respective countries.
- Refine recipes and ingredient specifications to meet the consumer preferences as established through sensory panels and marketing research with special consideration of the ability to successfully execute said recipe within Denny’s operational and manufacturing limitations.
- Conduct market visits to discover issues and find solutions before a recipe, ingredient, or program is implemented when applicable.
- Verify or refine recipes submitted by international franchisees through the “New Product Approval” process.
- Assist Product Innovation/Product Development team with other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Culinary degree or Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or combination of experience and education sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Combination preferred.
- 7-10 years of experience in food product development. Exposure to and experience with international markets is preferred.
- Bi-lingual preferred.
- Demonstrated understanding of menu and LTO market planning and execution.
- Food processing plant experience is a plus.
Knowledge and skills:
- Strong understanding of culinary principles
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Must understand, respect, and be able to honor cultural differences worldwide
- Self-motivated and able to work at the tactical and execution points of menu development
- Strong solution-oriented mindset
- Ability to work as part of a team or individually
Other Considerations:
- Up to 50% travel to both domestic and international locations (with some travel extended in excess of 10 days).
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
- Must be able to handle travel to destinations requiring air travel durations of 8 to 21 hours each way.
The typical pay range for this role is:
Minimum:$142,000.00 - Maximum:$195,800.00Please note that this range represents the pay range for all positions in the job grade within which the position falls. This job posting is not a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee as the actual pay will take into account a range of factors, including location and experience.
Denny's Corporation is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of age, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, military or veteran's status, criminal background, or any other characteristic protected by Federal, State, or local law.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should contact 864-597-8000. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THIS NUMBER TO CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR APPLICATION.
Denny’s Corporation participates in E-Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration, and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For more information on E-Verify, please contact the DHS at 888-897-7781 or dhs.gov/e-verify. Please note that we do not use this information to pre-screen job applicants.
What We Do
Denny's is an American table service diner-style restaurant chain that operates over 1,400 restaurants across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Founded in 1953, it has grown into one of the largest full-service family restaurant chains in the United States, specializing in traditional American-style food and offering a welcoming, often 24/7, diner experience for guests.
