Vice President - IT Restaurant Systems

SLIM CHICKENS•Fayetteville, AR

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Vice President – IT Restaurant Systems sets the strategy and roadmap for restaurant technology across Slim Chickens’ domestic and international system. The role directs the restaurant technology project portfolio and oversees day-to-day support, implementation, and management of technology infrastructure at restaurant and corporate levels, including point-of-sale, back-office, and related systems. The position partners with executive leadership and franchisees to deliver technology that supports guest experience, operational efficiency, and franchisee profitability. The position leads technology implementations and projects from concept through deployment and post-deployment support; manages restaurant systems, support teams, vendors, and technology standards; and owns PCI compliance, data security readiness, and IT operating and capital budgets. It also supports new restaurant openings and remodels, develops and mentors the IT team, and establishes short- and long-term technology roadmaps. The role includes periodic domestic travel to restaurants, franchisee and vendor sites, or other work sites, potentially with overnight stays.

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 unique business problems with 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- 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 is 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.
Ability to meet the position’s travel requirement for periodic domestic travel, potentially including overnight stays.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Set the IT strategy and roadmap for restaurant technology across the domestic and international system, including POS, back-office systems, digital menu boards, and mobile applications.
Plan and lead technology initiatives and present technology investment recommendations to executive leadership and the franchise system.
Lead core IT projects end to end, from concept and strategy through sourcing, development, testing, pilots, deployment, and post-deployment support.
Lead implementation of POS and back-office technology solutions while minimizing disruption to restaurant operations.
Build, lead, and scale the Restaurant Systems team, including IT Support Analysts, and oversee POS and back-office database management for menu items, inventory, and labor management.
Collaborate with internal teams, department leaders, and franchisees to align project goals, scope, priorities, and timelines.
Own PCI compliance, including the annual PCI review, restaurant data security, and incident response readiness.
Lead deployment and management of internal IT tools, including Monday.com and Claude.
Develop, coach, and mentor direct reports and build talent depth and succession for the IT function.
Own and manage the IT operating and capital budgets; report budget performance and technology investment returns to executive leadership.
Ensure restaurant and leadership teams receive reliable ongoing support for IT platforms against defined service levels.
Oversee day-to-day management of core IT platforms and restaurant technology vendors, including contract negotiations and vendor performance.
Establish support processes and structures from troubleshooting through performance metrics and reporting.
Ensure issue tracking and root-cause analysis, and provide clear communication and documentation for teams.
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 that continuously improve technology infrastructure.
Set restaurant technology standards and support international franchise partners in adopting approved systems.
Establish short-term (6–12 month) and long-term (3–5 year) restaurant technology roadmaps and set project priorities, timelines, and expectations with executive leadership.
Identify technologies that may provide a competitive advantage and evaluate how they fit with existing solutions and business practices.
Present technology strategy, investment cases, and ROI to the executive team and franchise system.
Oversee corporate project management tools, including Monday.com administration, accessibility, and third-party project-management vendors.
Oversee corporate AI platforms, including licensing, administration, governance, acceptable-use policy, and usage limits.
Understand and support Slim Chickens’ operating systems, including quality, security, office environment, company policies, and safety.
Perform other duties as necessary in support of business objectives.