Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: Church's Texas Chicken

Location: Atlanta, Georgia, United States (Remote)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Design & Development Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-27

Experience Level: 5-10 years (Mid-Senior Level)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Oversees the development, execution, and review of building design projects for global franchised and company-owned restaurants, ensuring unwavering brand standard integrity for new builds and reimaged locations.

• Manages the creation of essential design documentation, including detailed floor plans, conceptual design packages, and site plans, leveraging AutoCAD for both domestic and international markets.

• Provides crucial guidance and direction to external architectural consultants, ensuring strict adherence to Church's brand specifications and design standards throughout project lifecycles.

• Drives the successful implementation of the US reimage initiative and supports international store development by collaborating with cross-functional teams and providing design solutions.

• Maintains and updates critical design assets, including prototype drawings, design standards, and reference documents, ensuring they reflect current equipment, materials, and brand mandates.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Manager," the responsibilities lean heavily into operational execution of design standards within a franchise and corporate restaurant development context. This role requires a blend of creative design execution and rigorous project management, with a strong emphasis on process adherence and stakeholder coordination, aligning it with operations-focused roles in development and GTM strategy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and produce detailed floor plans, conceptual design packages (including equipment layouts and schedules), and site plans using AutoCAD for new restaurant designs across US and international markets.

• Provide expert guidance and direction to franchisees' architectural consultants, ensuring strict compliance with Church's brand design specifications and standards.

• Manage and meticulously track multiple design projects simultaneously, maintaining regular weekly touchpoints with franchisees, their architects, and general contractors (GCs) to ensure project momentum and issue resolution.

• Conduct thorough reviews and approve site-adapted plans submitted by franchisees, verifying adherence to company design standards and providing constructive feedback.

• Support the strategic US reimage initiative by collaborating closely with the Remodel Team and assisting franchisees in developing effective design solutions for store upgrades.

• Contribute to the international new store development and reimage initiatives by applying design expertise and ensuring brand consistency across global markets.

• Produce compelling design studies through hand drawings, Adobe Photoshop, or other graphic software during the conceptualization phase to visualize and communicate design ideas.

• Manage the brand's trade dress and imaging elements, custom décor pieces, and exterior signage, coordinating any necessary changes with consultants and vendors.

• Maintain an organized inventory of material samples and, as needed, create and distribute finished samples to franchisees for selection and approval.

• Update and maintain Church's internal database with relevant project photos, design reviews, design documents, floor plans, and site plans upon project completion.

• Edit and provide high-quality photographic assets for presentations and internal communications as required.

• Undertake special projects, including research into new design trends, materials, and construction methods, contributing to the continuous evolution of restaurant design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong operational component in managing design implementation, vendor coordination, and process adherence across a global network. The emphasis on maintaining brand standards and managing multiple projects simultaneously points to a need for robust project management and workflow optimization skills, typical of operations roles in GTM or development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Interior Design is preferred. Equivalent professional experience will be considered. Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in restaurant design, with a strong preference for candidates with Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) design experience.

• Demonstrated understanding of the overall construction process, including the practical application of interior and exterior building elements (e.g., structure, roofing, framing, millwork, lighting, ADA compliance).

• Proven ability to analyze design opportunities within the broader business context, considering marketing, operational efficiency, construction costs, code compliance, and equipment functionality. Required Skills:

• Proficiency in AutoCAD: Essential for creating detailed floor plans, site plans, and conceptual design packages.

• Adobe Photoshop: Required for producing design studies, editing images, and visualizing design concepts.

• Bluebeam or Acrobat Pro: Necessary for document review, annotation, and quality control of submitted plans.

• Project Management: High-level organizational and project management skills are critical to handle multiple projects simultaneously with changing criteria.

• Brand Standards Management: Deep understanding and ability to enforce brand trade dress, imaging elements, and design specifications.

• Communication Skills: Superior written and oral communication skills are vital for clear articulation of design ideas and effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

• Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze issues, weigh options, and systematically approach problems to drive business objectives forward.

• MS Office Suite: Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and OneDrive for daily operations and communication.

Preferred Skills:

• Metric System Fluency: Minimum 1 year of practical experience using the metric system is a significant advantage, particularly for international projects.

• Graphic Design Software: Familiarity with additional graphic software beyond Photoshop for design conceptualization.

• QSR Design Specifics: In-depth knowledge of operational flow, equipment needs, and customer experience within the QSR environment.

• Construction Documentation: Experience in reviewing and interpreting construction drawings and specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize technical design skills alongside strong project management and communication capabilities. The preference for QSR experience and metric system fluency highlights the specific operational context of this role within the restaurant industry.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstration of AutoCAD Proficiency: Include examples of detailed floor plans, site plans, and conceptual design packages created for restaurant or retail spaces. Highlight how these plans facilitated construction or franchisee understanding.

• Brand Standard Adherence Examples: Showcase projects where you successfully applied or enforced existing brand standards, or adapted designs while maintaining brand integrity.

• Project Management Case Studies: Present examples of how you managed multiple design projects concurrently, detailing your approach to timelines, stakeholder communication, and issue resolution.

• Visual Design Concepts: Include examples of conceptual design studies, renderings, or hand-drawn visuals that effectively communicate design intent and aesthetic vision.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process for developing and optimizing design workflows, from initial concept to final approval, emphasizing efficiency and clarity.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Be ready to illustrate how you collaborate with internal teams (e.g., Development, Operations, Marketing) and external partners (franchisees, architects, vendors) to ensure seamless design integration.

• Quality Assurance & Review: Detail your methodology for reviewing and approving external submissions (e.g., site-adapted plans) to ensure they meet all required standards and specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are geared towards showcasing practical application of design skills within an operational framework. Candidates should emphasize their ability to manage processes, document workflows, and demonstrate tangible results through their project examples, aligning with operations expectations for process management and execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Design Manager with 5-10 years of experience in a remote, US-based role, with specific expertise in restaurant or QSR design, the estimated salary range is $80,000 - $110,000 per year. This estimate considers the company's industry, the role's responsibilities, and the remote work arrangement. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) with potential company match.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued learning, training, and certifications relevant to design and project management.

• Remote Work Stipend: Potential allowance for home office setup and expenses.

• Life and Disability Insurance: Employer-sponsored protection.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, estimated at 40 hours per week. While remote, adherence to core business hours for team collaboration and responsiveness to international markets may be required. Flexibility in scheduling may be available, dependent on project needs and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on typical market rates for similar roles in the US, considering the specified experience level and the remote nature of the position. Benefits are standard for full-time roles in the food and beverage/retail development sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage (Quick Service Restaurant - QSR)

Company Size: The provided information does not specify company size, but Church's Texas Chicken is a well-established global brand, suggesting a medium to large organization with a significant number of employees and locations. This implies a structured environment with established processes, but also potential for agile decision-making within development teams.

Founded: Church's Chicken was founded in 1952. This long history indicates a stable company with deep roots in the QSR industry, likely possessing a strong understanding of operational challenges and brand evolution.

Team Structure:

• Reporting: The Design Manager reports to the Director, Design, indicating a clear hierarchical structure within the Development department.

• Collaboration: The role requires close collaboration with franchisees, their architectural consultants, General Contractors (GCs), the Remodel Team, and potentially other internal departments like Operations and Procurement. This suggests a highly cross-functional and matrixed work environment.

• Specialization: The team likely comprises specialists in various aspects of restaurant development, including design, construction, real estate, and operations, allowing for focused expertise.

Methodology:

• Brand-Centric Design: The core methodology revolves around maintaining and implementing strict brand standards for all restaurant designs, ensuring consistency across a global footprint.

• Process-Driven Execution: The emphasis on creating floor plans, managing consultants, reviewing submissions, and updating databases points to a reliance on defined processes and systematic execution.

• Data-Informed Decisions: While not explicitly stated, the need to update databases and manage materials suggests an underlying system for tracking and utilizing project data to inform future design decisions and updates.

Company Website: [Church's Texas Chicken Website - Placeholder, as URL was not provided]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history and global presence suggest a robust operational framework for development. The "Design Manager" title, combined with the responsibilities, indicates a role that operationalizes design strategy and ensures consistent brand execution across a complex network.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is a Mid-to-Senior level role, positioned as a manager within the Design department. It requires significant independent work, project ownership, and the ability to guide external partners. It bridges the gap between conceptual design and operational implementation, a crucial function in GTM development.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager reports directly to the Director of Design. This provides a clear line of mentorship and strategic direction, allowing for exposure to higher-level decision-making within the development pipeline.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager directly impacts the operational efficiency and brand perception of Church's restaurants. By ensuring consistent, functional, and on-brand designs, this role contributes to:

• Franchisee Success: Providing clear, executable designs that minimize construction costs and timelines.

• Brand Consistency: Maintaining a uniform and recognizable brand image across all locations, which is critical for marketing and customer loyalty.

• Operational Efficiency: Designing spaces that support efficient kitchen workflows and positive customer experiences.

• Cost Containment: Ensuring designs adhere to budget constraints and utilize cost-effective materials and equipment.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Design/Development Roles: Progression to Senior Design Manager, Lead Designer, or Director of Design roles, overseeing larger teams or more strategic design initiatives.

• Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific areas such as international design adaptation, sustainable building practices, or advanced technology integration in restaurant design.

• Cross-Functional Moves: Potential to move into related operational roles within Development, Real Estate, or Store Planning, leveraging a strong understanding of the physical restaurant footprint.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to hone leadership skills through managing external consultants and contributing to departmental strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a corporate development and operations framework. The emphasis on managing projects and external resources positions it as a stepping stone to more senior operational leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This indicates a distributed team environment where collaboration and communication rely heavily on digital tools.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the primary listed location is Atlanta, Georgia, suggesting that the core development team or headquarters may be based there. Remote employees may be expected to align with US Eastern Time Zone business hours for meetings.

Workspace Context:

• Digital Collaboration: The remote setup necessitates a strong reliance on digital collaboration tools (e.g., MS Teams, OneDrive) for communication, file sharing, and project management.

• Independent Work: Employees are expected to manage their own work environment and schedule effectively to meet project deadlines and maintain productivity.

• Virtual Team Interaction: Opportunities for team interaction will primarily be through virtual meetings, video conferencing, and digital messaging platforms.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, with an estimated 40 hours per week. Remote work often offers some flexibility in structuring the workday, but core hours for team meetings and responsiveness, particularly concerning international markets and potential time zone differences, are likely expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of this position is a key aspect of the work environment. Candidates should be comfortable with digital collaboration and possess strong self-management skills. The Atlanta headquarters context might imply a preference for candidates within a certain time zone range.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.

• First Interview (HR/Hiring Manager): Focus on behavioral questions, experience, and cultural fit. Be prepared to discuss your project management approach and understanding of brand standards.

• Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: A deeper dive into your technical skills (AutoCAD, Photoshop) and a presentation of your portfolio. Expect questions about specific projects, design challenges, and how you managed them.

• Case Study/Design Challenge: You may be given a hypothetical design scenario to work through, testing your problem-solving, design thinking, and ability to apply Church's standards.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership, focusing on strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit within the development team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 projects that best showcase your skills relevant to restaurant/QSR design, brand adherence, and project management.

• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your approach, the tools used, the challenges faced, and the final outcome. Emphasize your role and contributions.

• Showcase AutoCAD & Photoshop: Ensure visual examples of your technical proficiency are prominent. Include before-and-after comparisons or detail how your designs improved functionality or aesthetics.

• Demonstrate Brand Understanding: Explain how you interpreted and applied Church's brand standards. If you have experience with similar QSR brands, draw parallels.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., reduced construction time, improved operational flow, positive franchisee feedback).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Brand Standards: Thoroughly research Church's current brand guidelines, store layouts, and reimage initiatives.

• Practice AutoCAD/Photoshop: Be ready for practical exercises or to discuss specific commands and workflows.

• Develop a Design Approach: Think about how you would tackle a new restaurant design or a reimage project, considering site constraints, operational needs, and brand requirements.

• Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions: Anticipate questions about how you would handle disagreements with franchisees or consultants, and how you ensure clear communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to evaluate both technical design capabilities and operational project management skills. A strong emphasis on portfolio presentation and practical application of design principles within a brand-specific context is expected.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• AutoCAD: The core software for creating architectural drawings, floor plans, and site plans. Proficiency is non-negotiable.

• Adobe Photoshop: Essential for conceptual design studies, image editing, and visual presentations.

• Bluebeam Revu / Adobe Acrobat Pro: Critical for reviewing, annotating, and managing design documents and submissions from external parties.

Analytics & Reporting:

• MS Excel: Likely used for tracking project progress, managing material lists, equipment schedules, and potentially basic cost analysis.

• MS SharePoint/OneDrive: For document storage, version control, and collaborative access to design files and project information.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, internal project management systems or CRM-like tools may be used for tracking franchisee interactions, project status, and approvals. Familiarity with general project tracking software is beneficial.

• MS Teams: The primary platform for communication, virtual meetings, and team collaboration in a remote environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on design and project management software. Candidates must be proficient in AutoCAD and Photoshop, with strong familiarity with document management and collaboration tools common in remote work settings.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Brand Integrity: A deep commitment to upholding and enhancing the Church's brand identity through consistent and high-quality design.

• Efficiency & Execution: A focus on delivering designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also operationally sound, cost-effective, and executable within project timelines.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Valuing strong working relationships with internal teams, franchisees, and external consultants to achieve shared goals.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulousness in design execution, documentation, and review processes to ensure accuracy and compliance.

• Innovation within Standards: Encouraging creative problem-solving and the exploration of new trends, materials, and methods, while always adhering to core brand directives.

Collaboration Style:

• Remote-First Communication: Emphasis on clear, concise, and timely digital communication.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with development, operations, and potentially marketing teams to ensure designs meet all business objectives.

• Consultant Management: Directing and guiding external architects and designers to align their work with Church's standards and project requirements.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that encourages constructive feedback during design reviews and project discussions to refine outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value a blend of creative execution and rigorous operational discipline. Success in this role hinges on effective collaboration within a distributed team and strong adherence to established brand and project management processes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Global Consistency: Ensuring brand standards are applied uniformly across diverse international markets with varying building codes, materials, and cultural preferences.

• Franchisee Management: Balancing brand requirements with the specific needs, budgets, and site conditions of individual franchisees.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining effective communication, oversight, and team cohesion in a fully remote environment.

• Rapid Development Cycles: Keeping pace with the demands of the QSR industry, which often requires quick turnaround times for design approvals and project execution.

• Material & Equipment Obsolescence: Proactively managing updates to design documents as materials or equipment are discontinued or replaced.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• International Design Practices: Gaining exposure to global building codes, logistics, and design adaptations.

• QSR Industry Trends: Staying abreast of evolving customer expectations, operational efficiencies, and technological advancements in the quick-service restaurant sector.

• Advanced Design Software: Potential to explore new visualization or modeling tools that could enhance the design process.

• Project Management Skills: Further developing expertise in managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects.

• Cross-Departmental Understanding: Deepening knowledge of how design integrates with other operational areas like supply chain, operations, and marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant opportunities for professional growth, particularly in international project management and adapting design strategies to diverse operational contexts. Overcoming the challenges requires strong problem-solving and communication skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a new restaurant prototype design, from initial concept to final construction documents. How do you ensure brand integrity and operational efficiency?" (Focus on workflow, tools, and stakeholder involvement).

• "How would you manage a situation where a franchisee's architect proposes design elements that conflict with Church's brand standards? What steps would you take?" (Prepare to discuss negotiation, compromise, and adherence to brand directives).

• "Walk us through a challenging restaurant design project you managed. What were the key obstacles, how did you overcome them, and what was the outcome?" (Use the STAR method, highlighting your problem-solving, decision-making, and project management skills). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Church's Texas Chicken brand and its market position? How would your design approach support its growth objectives?" (Research their current market strategy, recent initiatives, and brand image).

• "How do you foster collaboration and maintain strong relationships with external partners like franchisees and consultants, especially in a remote setting?" (Emphasize communication, transparency, and proactive engagement).

• "How do you measure the success of a restaurant design? What metrics are most important to you?" (Consider metrics like cost savings, project timeline adherence, operational efficiency, brand compliance, and franchisee satisfaction). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with an overview of your most relevant projects. For each, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenges, your solutions, and the results.

• Demonstrate Technical Skill: Use screen sharing to briefly highlight your proficiency in AutoCAD and Photoshop, showcasing specific features or techniques you used effectively.

• Tell a Story: Frame your projects as narratives. Explain the "why" behind your design decisions and how they addressed specific needs or problems.

• Focus on Operations: Connect your design choices directly to operational benefits, such as improved workflow, cost reduction, or enhanced customer experience.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate detailed questions about your process, software usage, and decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative design acumen and robust operational project management capabilities. Candidates should be ready to articulate their process, showcase technical proficiency, and align their experience with Church's brand and business objectives.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application directly through the Church's Texas Chicken careers portal via the provided link.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in restaurant or QSR design, proficiency in AutoCAD and Photoshop, project management skills, and any experience with brand standards or franchise environments. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a digital portfolio that showcases 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Ensure clear examples of floor plans, conceptual designs, and your process for managing projects are included. Optimize for easy online viewing.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and answering common interview questions, focusing on articulating your design process, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of operational impact.

• Research the Company: Thoroughly research Church's Texas Chicken, its brand identity, recent news, and its position in the QSR market to demonstrate your interest and understanding.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.