Restaurant Experience Assistant Manager - Planning

Inspire Brands is a leading multi-brand restaurant company with an impressive portfolio that includes more than 33,000 restaurants such as Arby's, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin', Jimmy John's, and SONIC worldwide. Inspire Brands is not just a restaurant company; it is a vibrant team consisting of hundreds of thousands of dedicated individuals who collectively redefine the way people eat, drink, and come together around the table. At the core of Inspire's mission is the belief that food represents more than just sustenance—it is a rich, engaging experience. The company is focused on igniting and nourishing flavorful experiences for guests, and it continuously strives to support this vision through its diverse restaurant brands.

Within this expansive enterprise, the SONIC brand stands out as an innovative and creatively charged environment that welcomes individuals with bold, unique personalities. SONIC emphasizes the importance of passion in delivering exceptional food, experience, and culture to its customers. The Restaurant Experience Assistant Manager (Planning) role within SONIC plays a pivotal part in furthering this commitment by supporting operational excellence and enhancing the guest experience through the strategic implementation of tools and processes.

The Restaurant Experience Assistant Manager (Planning) is a key position responsible for driving efficiency and performance across the brand’s operations. This role focuses on delivering operational support by working closely with franchisees, internal teams, and external vendors. The Assistant Manager handles a variety of functions including testing and implementing new operational tools like assessments and check-for-execution programs. They also provide crucial support to field teams facing questions or issues related to equipment, smallware, and operational standards.

Additionally, this role involves the development of insightful reports and dashboards containing key performance indicators (KPIs) that quantify guest engagement and operational success. Using these analytics, the Assistant Manager proposes strategies designed to enhance the restaurant experience, improve operational efficiency, and drive sustained growth. This is accomplished through close collaboration aimed at optimizing workflows and ensuring the consistent delivery of SONIC’s brand promise.

This position requires a strong foundation in problem-solving alongside the ability to analyze operational and customer data. The Assistant Manager must maintain effective communication with franchisees and other stakeholders to ensure proper usage of operational tools and to address any concerns related to hierarchical and franchise relations. A strong project management acumen is essential, as well as a readiness to quickly adapt to changing priorities within a dynamic restaurant environment.

In terms of qualifications, candidates are expected to hold a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Analytics, Marketing, or a related field, with a recommended minimum of two years’ experience in restaurant operations or a similar area. Skilled use of software such as SharePoint, PowerPoint, and Excel is required to facilitate data-driven decision-making and reporting. The role involves minimal travel, estimated up to 20%, providing a balance between office collaboration and field interaction.

Overall, the Restaurant Experience Assistant Manager (Planning) opportunity at SONIC under Inspire Brands offers an exciting career path for those passionate about the restaurant industry and interested in leveraging innovative operational tools to elevate guest satisfaction and operational success. This is a full-time position that promises to challenge motivated candidates to contribute meaningfully to one of the world’s most iconic restaurant brands by enhancing systems, processes, and ultimately, the guest experience.