Sr Manager, Restaurant Technology

Title: Sr Manager, Restaurant Technology

Location: Tampa, FL – Hybrid – 3 days onsite (Tues-Thurs), 2 days WFH (Mon+Fri)

Employment Type: Full Time

About the Company

At Checkers & Rally's were redefining what fast food can look like.

From Day one, our mission has been simple: deliver bold, crave-worthy food at an unbeatable value, without slowing down. That’s why we’ve built a brand known for iconic menu items, fast service, and experiences that keep guests coming back again and again. From the Big Buford to our award winning Famous Seasoned Fries, our menu Eats Different!

But what really sets us apart? Our people.

We believe in creating opportunities. Whether you're starting out or building your career, we provide the training, support, and real pathways to help you grow, lead, and succeed.

About the Role

Checkers & Rally's is seeking a dynamic and experienced technology leader to drive innovation, operational excellence, and digital transformation across our restaurant technology ecosystem. With 8+ years of experience in restaurant technology, software QA, systems integration, data analytics, project management, service management, and POS strategy, the Senior Manager of Restaurant Technology will lead cross-functional teams responsible for developing, enhancing, and supporting critical restaurant systems, including POS, KDS, Back Office, online ordering, menu management, and restaurant automation platforms.

This role combines technology leadership, program delivery, analytics, and operational expertise to ensure scalable, reliable solutions that improve guest experience, restaurant performance, and franchisee satisfaction. A strong understanding of digital menu management, drive-thru operations, voice-enabled AI, and data-driven decision making is critical to success.

What You’ll Do (Core Impact Areas)

Technology Strategy & Roadmap

• Develop and execute the restaurant technology strategy and roadmap with the IT Leadership Team in alignment with company objectives and operational priorities.
• Identify, evaluate, and recommend emerging restaurant technologies, AI capabilities, automation solutions, and vendor partnerships.
• Drive continuous innovation to enhance guest experience, operational efficiency, and franchisee satisfaction.
• Stay current on QSR technology trends, customer behavior, and industry best practices.

Restaurant Systems & Platform Management

• Lead teams responsible for POS, KDS, Back Office, online ordering, drive-thru technologies, restaurant automation, and supporting integrations.
• Ensure the stability, performance, scalability, and reliability of restaurant technology platforms.
• Oversee system upgrades, patches, releases, and platform lifecycle management.
• Establish and maintain disaster recovery, business continuity, and operational readiness plans.

Program & Project Management

• Lead large-scale technology initiatives including implementations, upgrades, integrations, pilots, and rollouts.
• Manage cross-functional project teams to ensure successful and timely delivery of business objectives.
• Conduct restaurant field testing and pilot programs to validate technology performance and operational impact before enterprise deployment.

Data Analytics & Business Insights

• Leverage data analytics and reporting tools to evaluate technology performance, operational effectiveness, and guest experience outcomes.
• Develop and maintain KPIs, dashboards, and scorecards for restaurant technology platforms and support functions.
• Analyze trends, incidents, adoption metrics, and system performance to identify improvement opportunities.
• Partner with business stakeholders to translate operational data into actionable insights and strategic recommendations.
• Support data governance initiatives to ensure data accuracy, accessibility, and consistency across systems.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing technology professionals.
• Establish performance goals and measurable outcomes aligned with departmental objectives.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Support succession planning, career development, and technical skill advancement across the team.

What You Bring (Must-haves)

Must-Haves (required):

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, Engineering, Data Analytics, or a related field.
• Equivalent combination of education and restaurant technology experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in restaurant technology, retail technology, hospitality technology, or related industries.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing technology teams, programs, and enterprise initiatives.
• Proven success leading cross-functional technology projects involving POS, digital ordering, menu management, systems integration, analytics, and operational technology platforms.
• Experience leveraging data analytics and business intelligence tools to drive strategic and operational decision-making.
• Experience supporting franchise and company-operated restaurant environments.
• Experience developing operational dashboards, performance scorecards, and executive reporting using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar BI platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage data analytics to improve restaurant performance, technology adoption, guest satisfaction, labor efficiency, and system reliability.
• Experience working with SQL databases, data warehouses, data governance, and data integration platforms.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects while balancing business priorities, timelines, budgets, and resources.
• Experience establishing project governance, steering committees, executive communications, and change management programs.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders including Operations, Marketing, Finance, Training, Supply Chain, and Executive Leadership.
• Strong leadership skills with experience driving organizational change and technology adoption.
• Experience presenting technology strategies, business cases, and project outcomes to executive leadership and board-level audiences.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Skills - Understanding the business, making complex decisions, and creating the vision
• Energy and Drive - Focusing on the bottom line, action orientation, and perseverance.
• Personal and Interpersonal Skills - Compassion, ethics, values, and self-awareness.
• Command Skills - Relishes leading; takes unpopular stands if necessary; encourages direct and tough debate but isn’t afraid to end and move on; is looked to for direction in a crisis; faces adversity head on; energized by tough challenges.
• Directing Others - Is good at establishing clear directions; sets stretching objectives; distributes the workload appropriately; lays out work in a well-planned and organized manner; maintains two-way dialogue with others on work and results; brings out the best in people; is a clear communicator.

Benefits

• This role is Bonus eligible
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits available
• Competitive PTO Policy with Paid Holidays Off
• 401k w/ a company match
• Cell Phone Reimbursement
• Employee Discount at restaurants

Why Join us

• Bold, performance driven-brand
• Growth opportunities
• Strong team culture
• Focus on results and accountability
• CARE Program
• Top 10 Cruise Prize

Work Environment & Essential Physical Requirements

• Location: Tampa, FL – Hybrid
• Travel Expectations: Occasional travel to company locations for on-site support.
• Individual must live in the Tampa area and is required to be in the Restaurant Support Center or Innovation Center 3 days per week, at a minimum.
• Ability to sit for extended periods (4–6 hours/day) at a desk or computer.
• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout a corporate facility during in-office days, employee meetings, or multi-department coordination activities.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person, by phone, and via virtual platforms throughout the workday.
• Occasional lifting or carrying of materials up to 20 lbs.
• Visual acuity to review documents, schedules, reports, and digital materials with or without corrective lenses.

Company Values

• We’re Fearless – We take bold risks and push past limits with a “can-do” spirit, tackling challenges creatively and fearlessly. We go beyond expectations and make every move count. Fearless isn’t just a mindset; it’s how we win.
• We’re Family – We’re a family, built on trust and respect, holding each other accountable and lifting each other up at every turn. Standing together, we create an environment where everyone thrives-franchisees, teams, communities, and guests-no exceptions.
• We’re Fast – Speed is in our DNA-we think, move, an adapt quickly. Whether it’s serving our guests, supporting our family, making bold decisions, or seizing new opportunities, we stay agile, so we are always ready to meet the moment.
• We’re Fan Fanatics – Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, inspiring us to deliver the crave-worthy experiences they deserve. We don’t just serve them; we’re fanatics about them, making sure every craveable bite, every moment, is worth coming back for.
• We Make Things Fun – At Checkers & Rally’s, fun is the main ingredient. We bring joy to everything-fueling creativity, connection, and unforgettable experiences in our RSC, in our kitchens, with our Guests, and in our communities.
• We’re Focused on 4-Wall Sales & Profitability – Sales and Profitability are key to our continued growth and innovative spirit. We’re here to build sustainable success that benefits our restaurants, franchisees, and teams.

Equal Opportunity

Checkers & Rally’s is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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