Manager, Operations Innovation (IHOP)

Based in Pasadena, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries and franchisees, supports and operates restaurants under the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar®, IHOP®, and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® brands. As of December 28, 2025, these three brands consisted of over 3,500 restaurants across 20 international markets. Dine Brands is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world and in 2022 expanded into the Fast Casual segment. For more information on Dine Brands, visit the Company’s website located at www.dinebrands.com.

Job Location Type

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The Manager, Operations Innovation is a key leader within IHOP’s Restaurant Excellence team, responsible for framing complex operational problems, developing high‑impact solutions, and translating ideas into scalable programs that drive measurable results in restaurants.

This role acts as a builder and operator – bringing structure to ambiguity, connecting insights to action, and ensuring initiatives move from concept to durable execution in the field. You’ll partner closely with subject matter experts across Operations, Labor, Technology, Training, and Field teams to design solutions that are practical, scalable, and adopted.

This position reports to the Head of Restaurant Innovation and serves as a critical right‑hand partner – bringing analytical rigor, structured thinking, and executional drive across a wide range of initiatives.

What You’ll Do

Problem Framing & Solution Development

• Break down complex operational challenges into clear problem statements, hypotheses, and solution pathways
• Apply structured thinking and analytical rigor to identify root causes and prioritize highest-impact opportunities
• Partner with SMEs to translate ideas into practical, field-ready solutions

Program Design & Scaling

• Architect scalable initiatives – from initial concept through pilot, rollout, and sustainment
• Define metrics, operating models, and governance to support long-term performance
• Balance standardization with real-world operational flexibility across the franchise system

Execution & Deployment

• Drive end-to-end rollout of initiatives, including pilots, launches, and national scaling
• Build clear implementation plans, timelines, and cross-functional alignment
• Identify risks and adapt quickly to maintain momentum and adoption

Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Establish KPIs and tracking mechanisms to measure adoption, impact, and ROI
• Partner with Data and Field teams to assess performance and refine solutions based on real-world results
• Ensure initiatives remain simple, practical, and impactful for operators

Operate with a Builder Mindset

• Bring energy, curiosity, and a “go-getter” mentality to ambiguous, fast-moving problems
• Lean in across multiple verticals (labor, tech, operations) as business needs evolve
• Balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution

What You Bring

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to structure ambiguous challenges into actionable plans
• Strong analytical skills; uses data to inform decisions and quantify impact
• Proven ability to move from insight → solution → execution
• Generalist toolkit with the ability to flex across multiple domains
• Bias for action, ownership, and continuous improvement
• Strong communication and influencing skills across all levels of the organization
• Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment

Skills & Requirements

Education & Experience

• 3-5+ years of experience in program management, operations enablement, consulting, or multi‑unit operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in restaurant, hospitality, retail, or franchise environments strongly preferred.
• Target salary $120k-$135k depending on experience

Core Capabilities

• Problem structuring and hypothesis-driven thinking
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
• Experience designing and scaling operational initiatives (not just managing timelines)
• Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders without direct authority

Execution & Agility

• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving clarity
• Willingness to travel up to 20% to support pilots and field engagement

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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