Denny's

JOB SUMMARY Franchise Business Consultants (FBCs) are field-level stewards of Denny’s transformation strategy. They bring urgency, clarity, and structure to the day-to-day operations of ~90–100 restaurants, acting as execution partners to franchisees and operational leaders. FBCs translate brand direction into local results—ensuring restaurants deliver profitable traffic, margin improvements, and an elevated guest experience. Each FBC owns a critical market and is responsible for the performance of underperforming and average locations, with a focus on engineering growth where it matters most. They are accountable for delivering systemwide strategy at the ground level while protecting franchisee investment, brand equity, and local momentum. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Key Responsibilities) Own the Metrics That Matter - Lead business performance across assigned markets through focused KPI management. - Review restaurant-level dashboards and financial tools to assess traffic, guest satisfaction, labor, and cost metrics. - Create and implement action plans to close performance gaps—then monitor, document, and track results. - Provide consultative coaching to operators and above-store leaders to drive sustainable improvement. - Recap visits and risks with clarity and urgency—documentation is essential. - Own DMA performance; lead and facilitate quarterly DMA meetings. - Track and align trends across markets; identify both at-risk patterns and breakthrough opportunities. Support Financial Performance & Business Ownership - Partner with franchisees to review controllables such as labor, food cost, and to-go execution strategies. - Offer business insights and consultative recommendations tied to performance trends and margin opportunities. - Facilitate P&L conversations where appropriate, helping franchisees interpret results and identify areas of focus. - Encourage the adoption of tools and practices that strengthen local ownership and profitability awareness. - Ensure franchisees have visibility into key financial drivers and understand the levers within their control. Activate Brand Strategy Locally - Execute initiatives such as CRM, pricing strategies, promotional campaigns, and tech rollouts. - Help restaurant teams connect enterprise strategy to store-level results. - Share local impact insights with the Support Center and RDOs—ensuring the voice of the field influences brand decision-making. Strengthen Decision-Making and Strategic Influence - Partner with BSCs, RDOs, and Support Center teams to shape market-wide improvement strategies. - Influence franchisee alignment and prioritization of brand initiatives. - Provide market intelligence that informs broader decisions—including resource deployment, portfolio planning, and franchisee support tiers. - Serve as an early warning system by escalating systemic risks and recommending cross-functional interventions. Reporting & Scope - Reports to: Regional Director of Operations - Partners with: Franchisees, GMs, BSCs, Field Learning, Marketing, and Ops Support - Scope: ~90–100 restaurants and 10–12 franchisee relationships - Tools: 365, CRM, guest data dashboards, P&L platforms, campaign readiness tools EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS EDUCATION Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and/or experience. EXPERIENCE Multi-Unit experience or equivalent operations experience in the restaurant or hospitality industries is preferred. Prior experience as a franchise business consultant, trainer or operations consultant is desirable. Bi-lingual is a plus. Food Safety Manager Certificate. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS - Ability to maintain composure in a high stress situations. - Strong organizational and effective time management skills. - Excellent oral (including public speaking) and written communication skills with proficiency in the English language. - The ability to communicate with all levels of the organization. - Strong Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and internet skills. - Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to negotiate and influence. - Understands and appreciates diversity and shows respect for others. - Solid financial and business acumen. - Proven ability to manage multiple priorities with a strong attention to detail. - Licensed to operate an automobile without hours of operations restrictions. - Must meet any state, county or municipal regulation pertaining to health risk concerns about food handling. - Ability to work around potentially hazardous chemicals. - Must be able to work with all Denny’s menu products. - The ability to drive, stand, sit, and walk for extended periods of time. - Ability to tolerate extreme temperature changes in kitchen and freezer areas. - Must be able to lift a tray weighing up to 25 lbs.. - Must be able to lift and carry supplies and equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. and place items on high and low shelves in office, store rooms, service areas, walk-in coolers and freezers. - Must be able to hear well in a loud environment to respond to employee and guest needs. - Availability to work weekends, holidays, days, and evenings, as required. - Ability to travel frequently (up to 90%), including overnight stays and airline travel when applicable. The typical pay range for this role is: Minimum:$100,000.00 - Maximum:$137,500.00 Please note that this range represents the pay range for all positions in the job grade within which the position falls. This job posting is not a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee as the actual pay will take into account a range of factors, including location and experience. Denny's, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of age, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, military or veteran's status, criminal background, or any other characteristic protected by Federal, State, or local law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should contact 864-597-8000. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THIS NUMBER TO CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR APPLICATION. Denny’s, Inc. participates in E-Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration, and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For more information on E-Verify, please contact the DHS at 888-897-7781 or dhs.gov/e-verify. Please note that we do not use this information to pre-screen job applicants.

This position will exemplify Our Purpose, Vision, and Guiding Principles.  Provides strategic/tactical leadership in the development/implementation of programs, policies, procedures and initiatives in the areas of food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, environmental health & safety. Responsible for mentoring company/franchisees in the areas of vendor reviews, product module reviews, minimizing financial losses related to accidents and injuries.  Identify opportunities to improve operational performance, minimize liabilities, ensure compliance with food safety & environmental legislation while protecting our most asset, our Denny’s name and people.   Essential Functions (Key Responsibilities)  - Provide strategic guidance on food safety procedures and policies. Ensure validation compliance to all safety programs and development of a true safety and compliance culture.   - Train and educate on all food safety programs, discuss all Area/Regional results and performance trends. Meeting with and counseling franchisees/company leaders and reporting. Create a positive, competitive atmosphere to change behaviors and improve results. Provide appropriate operational support/follow-up to ensure opportunities for improvement are identified and corrected.   - Work with outside agencies (e.g., federal, state and local law enforcement, etc.) as necessary. The individual will be a liaison working with Franchisees/Company Field Leaders, Learning & Development, Operations Excellence, and with other teammates to develop and implement E-Learning in Food Safety & Safety Modules/Programs. Advise company/franchise Operations regarding monitoring/maintaining programs for compliance with state, federal and OSHA requirements. Counsel Franchisees/company leaders to work with Risk Management, Operations and Health Departments regarding communicable diseases, outbreaks, and local/state protocols. Coach, teach and support leaders on all levels regarding brand standards, regulatory rules/regulations, safety and operating procedures.   - Develop key escalation processes related to trending of hotline calls/complaints (products, equipment, regulatory & OSHA requirements) and requests from the field. Follow up and gather information/data on calls from Operations, 3rd party auditing vendors, health departments, guests and work as a liaison, to ensure brand Food Safety/HACCP standards are met in all restaurants. Attain information/facts needed regarding allegations of foodborne illnesses, safety, issues/trends in restaurants and follow-up with Franchisees/Company Operations as appropriate. Advise all investigations and resolutions comply with applicable federal, state and local laws, as well as company policies. Investigate and assist with administrative hearings & fines related to restaurant.   - Work with Operations and an appropriate vendor regarding reported pest activity via 3rd party audit, Guest Complaints, and Health Inspections. Oversee the compliance of Cook’s/Server’s (Food Chart and Quick Reference) guides sent to the restaurants. Oversee the compliance of key areas of the business such as Cook and Server Prep/Pull Charts, Manager Logbook and Walk Through/Temperature Book annually, review with OBAC/Franchisees/Company Leaders.  -  Develop guidelines for Brand Standards/HACCP manual, Menu HACCP for all new products. Support Core Menu updates/changes, Module resources, recipe cards and assist with Product Development for food safety and brand standards compliance. Develop/Revise Food Safety Audit form and Food Safety Resource Guide for traditional and non-traditional restaurants.  - Counsel franchisees in completing the food safety section of plan reviews for permitting purposes. Contact for Restaurant Food Safety & EHS. Actively participate on Operational BAC committees. Implement the current FDA Food Code to meet or exceed Denny’s Brand Standards.  - Collaborate with cross functional departments to ensure food safety, cleanliness, environmental health & safety and brand standards are in place that meet or exceed regulatory rules and regulations. Analyze behaviors and trends in company restaurants and develop strategies for execution and improvement. Attend area/regional meetings to share up-to-date information, trend reporting, results and delineate corrective actions needed as a team for improvements. Teach/coach/update field leaders (DMs/FBCs/RDFOs) through communications addressing actions with solutions.   - Other duties as assigned  Education and Experience Requirements  Education:  - Bachelor’s degree in food science, microbiology or a related field. Master’s degree preferred. Food Safety Certified Manager certification.  Instructor/Proctor status preferred. Certified Professional Food Safety (CP-FS) preferred.  Experience:  - Minimum experience 10 years’ experience within food safety, minimally 5 years supporting/overseeing restaurant food safety programs  - Previous franchise operations support experience a plus.  Required Knowledge and Skills  - Ability to communicate and interact effectively with restaurant personnel/field leaders/regulatory inspectors/supervisors/state directors.  - Proven management experience and leadership skills.   - Ability to handle/manage rapidly changing priorities in a changing environment with a sense of urgency. Excellent planning/organizational skills with the ability to work independently.  - Results oriented leader that possesses strong influencing skills and proven ability to overcome objections and communicate complex/controversial decisions.   - Strategic thinking and agility: Ability to develop long term plans and outlooks to meet business needs and demands while also challenging status quo  - Stakeholder management: Ability to work with key operation leaders and executive leaders to drive FSQA strategic priorities  - Creative and business mindset: Able to drive business results outside of FSQA by adding value to profit generating activities  Job Travel: minimum 50-75% mostly domestic  Location: Remote should be close to large airport, if possible, in the eastern or central time zone (ATL, CLT, DFW, ORD, MCO, DTW etc.)   The typical pay range for this role is: Minimum:$88,000.00 - Maximum:$121,000.00 Please note that this range represents the pay range for all positions in the job grade within which the position falls. This job posting is not a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee as the actual pay will take into account a range of factors, including location and experience. Denny's, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of age, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, military or veteran's status, criminal background, or any other characteristic protected by Federal, State, or local law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should contact 864-597-8000. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THIS NUMBER TO CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR APPLICATION. Denny’s, Inc. participates in E-Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration, and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For more information on E-Verify, please contact the DHS at 888-897-7781 or dhs.gov/e-verify. Please note that we do not use this information to pre-screen job applicants.