Area Director

Area Director

Reports to: Market President or Director of Operations

Job Type: Full-time

FSLA: Exempt

Company Background - Flynn Restaurant Group

Greg Flynn, founded Flynn Restaurant Group (FRG) in 1999 with the acquisition of eight Applebee’s in Washington State.

Since then, the company has grown at over 30% a year and has become the largest restaurant franchise and one of the 20 largest foodservice companies of any kind in the United States.

While the company’s initial focus was growing within the Applebee’s system, it has since added five other leading brands starting with Taco Bell in 2013, followed by Panera in 2015, Arby’s in 2018, and most recently Pizza Hut and Wendy’s in 2021.

Today, through its six wholly owned subsidiaries, Apple American, Bell American, Pan American, RB American, Hut American and Wend American, FRG owns over 440 Applebee's, 280 Taco Bells, 130 Panera cafes, 360 Arby’s, 930 Pizza Huts and 190 Wendy’s representing $3.5 Billion in Sales and employing more than 73,000 people in 44 states.

Going forward the company plans to continue its aggressive growth by building and acquiring additional restaurants as well as opportunistically expanding into other brands and businesses.

Company Background - Apple American Group

Founded in 1998 by Chairman and CEO Greg Flynn, Apple American Group LLC currently owns and operates over 458 Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurants in 23 states.

With $1.2 billion in sales and directly employing over 26,000 people, Apple American is the largest Applebee's franchise, and is one of the two largest franchises of any concept in the United States.

Apple American Group LLC is built on a decentralized business model, which means that each geographic area is led by a Market President. Reporting to the Market President are Area Directors, who are multiple unit operators, responsible for the overall functions of the restaurants in their areas. Reporting to the Area Directors are the General Managers, who are the chief restaurant managers responsible for the overall running of their restaurant. Aiding in the management of the restaurant are Assistant Managers, who are responsible for running of their departments (Kitchen, Carside, Service, Bar) and who help with every-day management responsibilities. Rounding out the store leadership are key employees, team leads, and neighborhood experts.

Position Description

The Area Director provides strategic direction and acts as a primary support for the restaurant management team in their assigned Area. Utilizes strong business knowledge to meet company standards and establish performance goals for sales, profitability, guest satisfaction, employee engagement, performance, and retention. The Area Director promotes company culture and supports operations to build a strong team by utilizing systems/tools and leveraging resources. An Area Director’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Restaurant Operations

Partners with General Managers and Restaurant Managers to enforce consistent company standards and prompt guest services according to company guidelines. This may include but is not limited to:

• Product preparation and presentation are uncompromised and meet standards.
• Guest satisfaction and ensuring guest contact is a priority amongst management teams.
• Safety and security program enforcement and follow up.
• Analyzing restaurant systems and procedures for continual improvement and attainment of goals.
• Maintain contact and management of restaurant vendors and know the limits of authorized placed on contract and expenditures.
• Ensure restaurant environments are maintained according to SPA standards determined by Applebee’s International and local Health Departments. Ensures deficiencies are corrected in a timely manner.
• Conducts regularly scheduled meetings with the General Managers and ensures regular manager meetings exist for each restaurant.
• Is the subject matter expert on all store related technology.
• Oversees distribution of new recipes and product specifications. Communicates changes and upcoming events.
• Continuous coaching of General Managers and Restaurant Managers in recognizing and solving operations deficiencies.
• Completes regular audits on schedule with all restaurants within the Area. Ensures timely re-audits if necessary.

Financials

Manage profitability of restaurants in assigned Area by monitoring performance, forecasting expenses, reviewing expenditures, controlling costs, and reviewing results with General Managers.

• Ensure comp stores meet or exceed comparative sales growth goals. Along with ensuring non-comp stores operate above budgeted average weekly sales.
• Ensure controllable profit is maximized without compromising restaurant operations.
• Monitors and manages unit expenditures, continually searching for cost-saving opportunities at all restaurants in the Area.
• Ensures a preventive maintenance program is in place for all restaurants and repairs are made in a timely manner.

Marketing

• Actively participates in the community to increase sales and enhance the awareness of Applebee’s.
• Grows the business through development of potential sites, use of Local Store Marketing plans, and proper execution of advertising, promotions, and product development.
• Oversight of marketing initiatives, contests, and proper POP items for the Area.

Human Resources Management

• Ensures quality recruitment of management candidates, by participating in the interview process.
• Assist management team with sourcing strategies and staffing levels for hourly team members.
• Oversees management schedules for compliance with scheduling guidelines and sales demands.
• Promote the company training program and orientation programs for all employees.
• Assists the Human Resources and Training Departments with implementation and execution of the management development programs, Apple University, and other company lead initiatives.
• Assesses the effectiveness of management teams and recommends transfers and promotions as needed.
• Educates and enforces the discipline policy and monitors employee termination procedures.
• Ensures and participates in timely performance appraisals for all management teams and hourly employees.
• Ensures company endorsed recognition programs are in place and administered according to plan.
• Reinforce the policies and procedures contained in the Administrative, Human Resources, Accounting, POS and MDP manuals.
• Is responsible for development and providing a role model for General Managers.

Misc. Responsibilities

• Ensures compliance with all applicable state, federal, and local regulations.
• Acts as liaison for restaurants and support staff / support office
• Exhibits a professional image. Promotes and embodies our Values and Beliefs as outlined on the Gold Card.
• Be the advocate for change management in a fast paced and changing environment.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma required; College Degree preferred.
• 3-5 years of multi-unit level restaurant experience preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated good written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have attention to detail, organizational skills and sense of urgency for deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Must have a positive, team-oriented attitude with the ability to positively manage change.
• Demonstrated analytical, mathematical and reasoning skills

Physical Standards:

The employee is responsible for performing the essential responsibilities of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. The employee should notify Apple American Group of any reasonable accommodation requests and may need to provide supporting medical documentation. This job description may not list all duties for this position and the employee in this position may be required to perform other duties to meet business needs. Apple American Group LLC, reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment, and either the associate or Apple American Group, LLC may terminate employment at any time.

Perks for out employees:

• Competitive Salary
• Profit Sharing / Bonus
• Medical, Dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with a company match
• Paid vacation
• Auto Allowance
• Flexible Schedule

Additional Position Requirements:

Must live within geographic area being supported; ability to work a flexible schedule including weekend, holiday, and/or evening, as required; ability to accommodate the likelihood of a variable work schedule from week to week; travel within assigned area and throughout the organization as requested; driving on company business (requires valid driver’s license and auto insurance coverage meeting or exceeding state requirements for property damage and bodily injury).

Why Work for Apple American Group?

Apple American Group is a growing franchise that offers stability, opportunity for advancement as well as a great environment, training and benefits. We are committed to helping each employee work and live to his or her fullest potential.

For a copy of Flynn Restaurant Group’s Workplace Privacy Notice, please visit

http://www.flynnrestaurantgroup.com/workplace-privacy-notice/

Apple American Group is an equal opportunity employer