Margin Improvement Analyst

SLIM CHICKENS•Fayetteville, AR

About The Position

We’re not just another chicken joint—we’re one of the fastest-growing brands in the game, built on hand-made food and bold ambition. At Slim Chickens, every tenderloin gets the royal treatment: brined, buttermilk-soaked, hand-breaded, and cooked fresh to order. That same care and craft goes into how we grow our people. If you’ve got hustle, heart, and an entrepreneurial spark, this is the place to prove yourself and shape your career. Our team thrives on real connection—working fast, thinking big, and building something that makes an impact every day. Here, you’ll be trusted to make decisions, empowered to own your work, and part of a crew that’s taking this brand to the next level. Slim Chickens is growing fast. The only question is—are you ready to grow with us? PURPOSE OF THE POSITION We are seeking a data-driven, solutions-oriented Margin Improvement Analyst to join our team and support margin optimization across our portfolio of over 200 domestic restaurant locations. This role is ideal for someone with 2–3 years of corporate restaurant experience who thrives on diving deep into P&L data, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and partnering cross-functionally to drive sustainable improvements. As a key player within our Finance and Operations support teams, you will analyze restaurant-level financial performance, uncover operational inefficiencies, and provide actionable recommendations to enhance profitability and operational execution.

Requirements

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a solid understanding of restaurant P&L components.
Proficiency in Excel and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI); experience with ERP or POS systems a plus.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex data into clear, business-friendly insights.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
Team-oriented with a proactive mindset and strong business acumen.
Experience with multi-unit restaurant operations analytics.
Technical Experience: 2-3 years of experience in a corporate restaurant setting or hospitality-focused finance/ operations role.
Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Analytics, or related field.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of inventory, labor scheduling, or recipe costing systems.
Exposure to Lean Six Sigma or process improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

Analyze store-level Profit & Loss (P&L) statements to identify trends, variances, and margin improvement opportunities.
Collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, and Culinary teams to understand key cost drivers across food, labor, and operating expenses.
Support Operations Margin Improvement Projects.
Develop and deliver clear, actionable margin improvement insights to regional operators and senior leadership.
Design and maintain reporting tools or dashboards to track margin initiatives and performance metrics across all locations.
Support development and roll-out of cost-control initiatives, SOPs, and best practices.
Conduct benchmarking analyses across stores and regions to highlight top- and bottom-performing locations.
Stay current on industry trends, inflationary pressures, and other factors affecting restaurant profitability.
Slim Chickens systems principles and objectives: Has a thorough understanding of Slim Chickens' established operating systems (e.g., quality, security, office environment, company policies, safety) and recognizes the responsibility to stay updated on these systems and the role this position plays in supporting them.
Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is designed to guide the activities of the Margin Improvement Analyst. It is not meant to restrict the individual's creativity or limit their thinking, nor does it encompass all the tasks that may be required in this role.