Senior Restaurant Design Manager US & Canada

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Restaurant Design Manager US & Canada

Company: International Dairy Queen, Inc.

Location: Bloomington, Minnesota, USA

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Restaurant Design & Development Operations

Date Posted: May 26, 2026

Experience Level: 7-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in managing and executing restaurant design standards across the US and Canada, ensuring brand consistency and operational efficiency for both new store development and reinvestment projects.

• It involves providing critical design, building systems, and food service equipment direction to a diverse range of stakeholders, including franchisees, architects, and engineers, leveraging advanced design software.

• The position requires meticulous oversight of project documentation and tracking to ensure timely project commencement and adherence to established timelines and unit opening goals.

• Success in this role hinges on generating innovative, cost-effective design solutions and maintaining strong relationships with internal teams and external partners to uphold facility design standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the original job title is "Senior Restaurant Design Manager," the core responsibilities and required skills clearly place this role within the operational execution of GTM (Go-To-Market) strategy for physical store expansion and improvement. The emphasis on managing design standards, equipment, building systems, and project timelines directly supports the operational rollout of new and renovated restaurant locations, aligning it with a specialized area of GTM operations focused on physical infrastructure.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design & Technical Guidance: Provide expert design, building systems, and food service equipment direction to franchisees, architects, engineers, and general contractors, utilizing AutoCad/Revit software and adhering to current prototype documentation.

• Prototypical Design Management: Ensure accurate documentation and timely implementation of prototypical design and operational standards for new store development and reinvestment projects, reviewing project submissions for alignment with design criteria.

• Project Tracking & Performance: Manage and oversee new store and reinvestment project tracking progress and performance against established timelines and unit opening goals, utilizing software like Synuma for daily monitoring.

• Documentation Standards: Maintain and update design support documentation and feasibility drawings in accordance with prevailing building codes, ADA accessibility standards, and brand requirements for accurate project viability assessment.

• Cross-functional Liaison: Act as a key liaison with internal departments such as Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, and R&D, as well as with external vendors (signage, equipment, graphics) to ensure consistent facility design standards.

• Issue Resolution & Feedback: Provide technical and design feedback to the Director of Design/Architecture based on prototype issues or discrepancies encountered by architects, builders, or vendors to improve prototype accuracy.

• Cost-Effective Solutions: Generate innovative and cost-effective solutions to current building design issues and implement these in future projects.

• Code Compliance: Ensure all design documentation and project execution adhere to current building codes (e.g., International Building Code - IBC) and ADA accessibility standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of technical design oversight and project management, which are core components of operational execution in a physical retail environment. The explicit mention of managing timelines, project tracking, and ensuring adherence to standards indicates a strong operational focus on facilitating rapid and consistent store development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 7-10 years of project management and design experience, with a significant background in multiple restaurant projects, preferably in the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) sector.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex cross-functional design projects independently and successfully.

Required Skills:

• Advanced Design Software Proficiency: Current in-office supported AutoCad (min version 2019) and Revit (min version 2016) for producing high-quality design intent feasibility drawings.

• Document Review & Annotation: Proficiency in Bluebeam Revu 2021 and Photoshop (PS) for design document rendering and project review notation.

• Project Management & Tracking: Experience with project tracking software (e.g., Synuma) and a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously within deadline-driven environments.

• Code & Standards Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of the International Building Code (IBC), ADA accessibility standards, and various building construction types (metal, wood, masonry, steel).

• Restaurant Operations Understanding: In-depth knowledge of restaurant or QSR industry equipment specifications, usage, and application.

Preferred Skills:

• Cross-functional Leadership: Demonstrated strength in persuading, influencing, and leading cross-functionally to drive decisions and project plans.

• Coaching & Mentoring: Ability to coach and mentor internal team members and external parties (franchisees) on approved brand design execution.

• Construction Documentation Detailing: Experience in detailing various building construction types and the ability to assemble a full set of construction documents.

• Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal skills to foster mutually beneficial relationships with internal personnel, external service providers, architects, builders, and franchisees.

• Problem-Solving: Ability to independently generate design resolutions with minimal senior management support.

• Written & Verbal Communication: Informed communication skills for articulating information effectively within department and team environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific software (AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, Photoshop), code knowledge (IBC, ADA), and understanding of QSR equipment and construction types highlights the specialized technical and operational requirements for this role, beyond general design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies in Design Implementation: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating successful management of restaurant design projects from concept to completion, highlighting challenges overcome and solutions implemented.

• Prototypical Design Adherence: Include examples of how you have applied and maintained specific design standards or prototypes in previous roles, illustrating your ability to ensure brand consistency across multiple locations.

• System Integration Examples: Provide examples of how you've integrated building systems or food service equipment specifications into design plans, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of operational requirements.

• Efficiency & Cost Savings: Highlight instances where your design contributions led to improved operational efficiency, cost savings, or accelerated project timelines, quantifying the impact where possible.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Demonstrate experience in designing and documenting standard operating procedures for design review and approval processes, including workflow charts and process maps.

• Implementation & Automation: Showcase understanding of how design documentation is translated into actionable plans for construction and equipment installation, and any experience with tools that automate or streamline this handoff.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Illustrate how you have tracked and reported on project performance against design timelines and opening goals, including the use of tracking software and key performance indicators (KPIs).

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on restaurant design and development operations, a portfolio should emphasize not just aesthetic design but the practical application of design principles to operational efficiency, cost control, and timely project delivery. Demonstrating the ability to manage processes and systems that support these outcomes is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• US National Base Salary Range: $115,037 - $143,796 per year.

• Explanation: This range is based on the provided job description for a Senior Restaurant Design Manager in the US, reflecting the experience level (7-10 years), specialized skills (AutoCAD, Revit, IBC compliance, QSR design), and the scope of responsibilities (managing design for US & Canada). The range is typical for senior-level design and project management roles within the food service or retail development sectors in the United States.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical and Dental insurance plans.

• Retirement Savings: 401K plan with employer match.

• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO package, including dedicated Volunteer Time and Parental Leave.

• Additional Perks: Details available via a provided link, suggesting a robust overall benefits package.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, likely around 40 hours per week.

• Hybrid work schedule with 3 designated collaboration days per week at the Bloomington, MN office.

• Additional in-office time may be required to support team and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly provided. The benefits are detailed, and the working hours are specified with a clear hybrid model, including the number of required office days.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

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

Company Size: IDQ (International Dairy Queen) is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., managing over 7,800 DQ restaurants globally. The company employs a significant number of individuals across its corporate functions and franchise network.

Founded: International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ) is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Specific founding date not provided, but it is a long-established brand.

Team Structure:

• Reporting: The Senior Restaurant Design Manager reports to the Director of Design/Architecture.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Works closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, and R&D departments, as well as external architects, engineers, general contractors, and franchisees.

• Specialization: The role is part of a specialized design and development team focused on the physical infrastructure of the restaurant locations.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Utilizes design software and project tracking tools to ensure data accuracy and performance monitoring in design and development.

• Standardization & Optimization: Focuses on implementing and refining prototypical design and operational standards to ensure efficiency and brand consistency.

• Collaborative Problem-Solving: Employs a collaborative approach to resolve design issues and develop innovative, cost-effective solutions.

Company Website: https://www.dairyqueen.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context highlights IDQ's significant presence in the QSR market and its affiliation with Berkshire Hathaway, suggesting stability and a structured corporate environment. The team structure emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, crucial for GTM operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a Senior Management or Lead position within the Restaurant Design & Development function, a critical operational arm of the GTM strategy. It involves significant responsibility for project execution and stakeholder management.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Director of Design/Architecture, indicating a clear management hierarchy. The role also involves influencing and guiding franchisees and external partners.

Operations Impact: Directly impacts the speed, cost-effectiveness, and consistency of new restaurant openings and reinvestments. This operational efficiency is crucial for market expansion, maintaining brand image, and ensuring a positive customer experience, all key GTM objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into Director-level roles within Design, Architecture, or broader Real Estate/Development departments.

• Broader Operational Roles: Opportunity to leverage experience in physical store operations to transition into broader operational management roles within the company.

• Specialization Expertise: Deepen expertise in specific areas like sustainable design, advanced building systems, or international design standards within the QSR context.

• Mentorship Opportunities: Develop leadership and coaching skills by mentoring junior designers and guiding franchisees through the development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for career progression within a large, established organization, particularly within specialized operational functions critical to a franchise-based business model.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model at the global headquarters in Bloomington, MN.

Office Location(s): Bloomington, Minnesota, USA.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect 3 designated in-office collaboration days per week, fostering teamwork and knowledge sharing among design, development, and potentially operations teams.

• Technology Rich: Access to and utilization of advanced design software (AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam) and project tracking systems (Synuma).

• Cross-functional Interaction: Frequent opportunities to interact with various internal departments and external partners, encouraging a dynamic work environment.

Work Schedule:

• Primarily standard business hours, likely Monday to Friday.

• The hybrid model offers flexibility while maintaining a structured approach to collaboration and project execution, suitable for managing complex, time-sensitive design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment balances flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration, which is often essential for design reviews and intensive project planning in operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio for alignment with technical skills, experience, and educational requirements.

• Technical Interview: In-depth discussion focusing on design software proficiency (AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam), code knowledge (IBC, ADA