HR Business Partner

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 20% a year and in the process 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 451 Applebee’s, 368 Arby’s, 950 Pizza Huts, 282 Taco Bell and related Yum! Brand restaurants, 136 Panera Bread's, and 190 Wendy’s across 44 states, generating $3.5 billion in sales and employing approximately 70,000 people.

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 – Bell American Group

In December 2012, Flynn Restaurant Group, led by CEO Greg Flynn and CFO Lorin Cortina, acquired its first Yum! Restaurants by purchasing Southern Bells which had 76 units in Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. At this time, Bell American Group was created. Eight months later in August of 2013, Bell American had their second acquisition bringing on an additional 65 restaurants located in Missouri and Illinois which formed the Bell Missouri market. In June of 2014, Bell American experienced another acquisition and purchased 31 restaurants in North Carolina, creating the Bell Carolina market. Two additional purchases in March 2015 added another 9 restaurants to the Bell Carolina group. In March 2016, the Bell Great Lakes market was created due to an acquisition in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Then in July 2016, another 9 restaurants in northern Indiana were added to the Bell Missouri market.

Bell American now operates over 280 restaurants in 9 states. With our commitment to continued growth, Bell American is currently also developing new restaurants within its existing markets. Bell American Group is proud to empower their operations teams through a unique, scalable management structure that allows Market Coaches a large measure of local control so that they have the flexibility and autonomy to run their businesses as franchise owners.

Bell American Group is passionately committed to growth, quality, service, and to honoring the spirit of Live Mas.

Position Description

The Human Resources Business Partner provides strong and effective leadership for a geographical region. The position’s focus is on building relationships with field employees and management while driving and executing key HR initiatives and programs. This position aligns with operations leadership to develop and achieve company initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversees all employee relations matters within specified markets. Acts as a consultant to managers and provides guidance with all employee relations activities. Resolves investigations through the directing and coaching of management teams, including handling of issues as well as documentation requirements.
• Identifies employee relations market trends, and develops strategies and tools to overcome identified issues.
• Builds strong relationships and provides HR guidance to field management through store visits. Supports management and identifies adverse issues and obstacles by utilizing climate and engagement surveys. Performs audits to ensure that federal regulations and company HR requirements are consistently achieved.
• Assists Market Presidents/Directors of Operations and Area Coaches on talent development and succession planning strategies. Works closely with market leaders to support the onboarding and development of newly hired management staff.
• Trains management on how to identify and select strong talent. Inspires leaders to establish effective engagement strategies to ensure retention of staff as well as minimize team member turnover.
• Provides coaching to management teams on performance improvement plans and the disciplinary process. Provides support on how to achieve performance improvement through effective communication and documentation.
• Facilitates HR training to all managers within the market. Trains managers on topics such as discrimination, harassment, Fair Labor Standards compliance, administrative responsibilities, and company policies.
• Acts as a liaison between the stores and corporate offices to ensure that employees are appropriately compensated and provided applicable company benefits.
• Manages company responses with employee claims made to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Labor and Unemployment Agencies. Ensures compliance with FLSA regulations.
• Oversees HR administrative responsibilities and compliance within the market. Including documentation related to the hiring and promotion process, background checks, I-9, performance management and employee records.

Education and Experience

• Minimum 5 years related HR experience, preferably in similar role/environment with multi-units
• Bachelor’s degree required. Professional SHRM certification a plus.

Skills and Requirements

• Demonstrates high integrity and high level of HR professionalism and expertise
• Ability to work in a fast paced, changing environment with multiple priorities. Demonstrates adaptability – handles day-to-day work challenges confidently; is willing and able to adjust to multiple demands, shifting priorities, ambiguity, and rapid change; shows resilience in the face of constraints, frustrations, or adversity, demonstrates flexibility.
• High standards and a drive for excellence. Committed to quality and has a strong attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively work and communicate with people at all levels within the organization.
• Ability to lead and influence others in non-reporting relationships.
• Strong organizational, problem solving, and analytical skills with a demonstrated history of managing priorities, workflow, and multiple processes simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills: proven ability to understand and respond to a diverse population including restaurant team members and managers, above store leaders, and senior leaders across Bell American.
• Strategic thinker, ability to partner with others to move strategy into action; strong ability to execute.
• Team player - shows commitment to team objectives; values each person’s contribution to the team; encourages the participation and involvement of everyone on the team; contributes own fair share of effort to the team’s work.
• Demonstrates excellent leadership skills; able to guide organization through change to achieve business results.

Perks for our employees:

• Competitive salary
• Meal Discounts
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with a company match
• Paid vacation

Employment Factors & Physical Activity

• Must provide proof upon hire of legal status to work in the United States.
• Bending, reaching, carrying, and stooping

The Human Resources Business Partner is responsible for performing the essential responsibilities of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. The Human Resources Business Partner should notify Bell 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 Human Resources Business Partner may be required to perform other duties to meet business needs. Bell 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 Human Resources Business Partner or Bell American Group, LLC may terminate employment at any time.

Why Work for Bell American Group?

• Bell 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 their fullest potential.

The Flynn Restaurant Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer