Vice President - IT Restaurant Systems

SLIM CHICKENS • Fayetteville, AR

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Vice President – IT Restaurant Systems sets the company’s domestic and international restaurant technology strategy and roadmap, directs the restaurant technology project portfolio, and oversees day-to-day support, implementation, and management of technology infrastructure at restaurant and corporate levels. Systems include Point of Sale, back-office, and related platforms. The role partners with executive leadership and franchisees to deliver technology that supports guest experience, operational efficiency, and franchisee profitability.

The position leads the Restaurant Systems team and end-to-end technology projects, oversees restaurant and corporate IT platforms and vendors, and owns PCI compliance, data security readiness, and the IT operating and capital budgets. It also establishes technology standards, supports new restaurant openings and remodels, and helps international franchise partners adopt approved systems.

The role is primarily performed in an office environment and requires periodic domestic travel to restaurants, franchisee and vendor sites, or other work sites, potentially including overnight stays. It includes presenting information to executive leadership, franchisees, and groups of varying sizes.

Requirements

• Degree in MIS or another technology major, or an equivalent amount of training and experience.
• Proven track record leading technology strategy and infrastructure for a multi-unit restaurant or franchise brand.
• Proven ability to define business needs and select and install appropriate technology solutions.
• Broad technology knowledge and strong problem-solving ability.
• Proven ability to provide good internal customer service.
• Proven ability to design, implement, and maintain a reliable network with strong data security.
• Proven ability to work with a team to solve business problems using technology.
• Demonstrated success building and leading high-performing technology teams and managing multi-million-dollar budgets and vendor contracts.
• Executive presence and ability to influence and communicate effectively with C-suite leaders, franchisees, and vendors.
• Experience in a technology role supporting business-facing and guest-facing applications.
• Technical knowledge of network equipment, laptop computers, operating systems, AI platforms such as Claude, mobile devices, POS, and back-office applications.
• Strong understanding of third-party platform integrations in restaurant and support-center environments.
• Functional technical knowledge of Brink POS hardware and software.
• Functional technical knowledge of cloud-based software; POS and online ordering experience preferred.
• Functional technical knowledge of audiovisual equipment supporting restaurant menu and LTO boards.
• At least 10 years of experience in restaurant or food and beverage technology, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Technical knowledge of back-office restaurant solution systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in business or technology, or equivalent experience.

Nice To Haves

• Multi-unit franchise experience.
• Functional technical knowledge of cloud-based POS and online ordering software.
• Master’s degree in information system technology or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Set the IT strategy and short- and long-term roadmap for restaurant technology across domestic and international operations.
• Direct the restaurant technology project portfolio and present technology investment recommendations, strategy, and return on investment to executive leadership and the franchise system.
• Lead core IT projects from concept and strategy through sourcing, development, testing, pilot, deployment, and post-deployment support.
• Lead implementation of POS and back-office solutions while minimizing disruption to restaurant operations.
• Build, lead, and scale the Restaurant Systems team, including IT Support Analysts; coach direct reports and develop succession depth.
• Oversee POS and back-office database management, including menu items, inventory, and labor management.
• Own PCI compliance, including the annual PCI review, restaurant data security, and incident response readiness.
• Deploy and manage internal IT tools and corporate AI platforms, including licensing, administration, governance, acceptable-use policies, and usage limits.
• Ensure restaurant and leadership teams receive reliable support for IT platforms in line with defined service levels.
• Oversee core IT platforms and restaurant technology vendors, including contract negotiation and vendor performance management.
• Establish processes for end-to-end technical support, issue tracking, performance reporting, and root-cause analysis; ensure clear communication and documentation.
• Support IT systems for new restaurant openings and remodels, including configuration of locations in systems such as CrunchTime and Brink.
• Lead selection, testing, and implementation of hardware and software platforms; set restaurant technology standards and support international franchise partners in adopting approved systems.
• Set project priorities, timelines, and expectations in partnership with executive and department leadership and collaborate with franchisees and internal teams to align goals and deliver projects.
• Oversee corporate project-management tools, including Monday.com administration and accessibility, and vendors providing project-management support.
• Develop and manage the annual IT operating and capital budget, report budget performance and investment returns, and manage projects and timelines to meet budget expectations.
• Perform other duties as necessary in support of business objectives and established company systems.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive