Manager, Menu Pipeline (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.

The Manager of Menu Pipeline is a critical role within the Restaurant Excellence function—IHOP’s engine for operational transformation. This team is laser-focused on unlocking 4-wall performance to drive profitability, team productivity, and guest delight at scale

This is a high-impact, cross-functional leadership role that demands outstanding organizational, communication, and executional skills. You will lead initiatives from concept through delivery, ensuring every strategy is operationally sound and aligned with IHOP’s growth objectives

As a strategic operator, you’ll collaborate closely with Culinary, Marketing, Field, and Operations teams to bring initiatives to life. You’ll be the connective tissue that ensures ideas are not only innovative but also executable with excellence across our franchised system

This role requires a hands-on leader—someone who can roll up their sleeves, make informed decisions, and think critically about what’s truly feasible inside the four walls of a restaurant. You’ll champion initiatives that are practical, scalable, and impactful

Reporting directly to the Director of Core Operations, you’ll be instrumental in executing IHOP’s menu strategy. As the brand enters its next wave of transformative growth, this is your opportunity to shape the future of a beloved American icon—at scale

Responsibilities:

• Drive Cross-Functional Execution: Lead cross-functional teams to implement and integrate key programs that enhance efficiency, boost sales, increase profitability, and elevate guest satisfaction
• Partner with Senior Leadership: Collaborate with senior leaders to define performance goals and shape long-term operational strategies
• Optimize Operational Efficiency: Identify and eliminate inefficiencies through in-depth process analysis and seamless cross-functional collaboration.
• Continuously Improve Performance: Evaluate current operations and recommend data-driven improvements to enhance overall performance.
• Communicate with Impact: Deliver clear, consistent updates to cross-functional team on program progress, milestones, and outcomes.
• Advise Franchise Leadership: Serve as a trusted advisor to Franchise Operations leadership, guiding the planning and execution of high-impact initiatives.
• Champion Culture of Excellence: Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence across the organization.
• Target Base Salary 120k+ based on experience

Skills & Requirements:

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, or related field. Minimum 5+ years rooted in deep restaurant operations, preferably with a national restaurant chain. Ideally, you have worked closely with Menu teams – taking an idea from scratch to serving the menu item to a guest
• Operational Mastery: Deep knowledge of the various components of running an excellent Back of House, with a proven track record of making high-quality decisions to improve kitchen operations
• Project Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead complex initiatives with precision. Strong organizational, communication, and leadership capabilities
• Industry Expertise: Strong preference for candidates with experience in restaurant, hospitality, or multi-unit retail environments
• Analytical & Financial Acumen: Skilled in business analytics, process optimization, root cause analysis, project management, and change leadership
• Executive Influence: Confident in advising senior leaders on operational strategy, performance improvement, and turnaround initiatives
• Executional Agility: Thrives in fast-paced, cross-functional environments. Comfortable working in-office and in the field. Willing to travel 20% to stay connected to frontline operations
• Bias for Action: Operates effectively in ambiguity. Makes sound decisions with imperfect information and adapts quickly 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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