Area Director

Applebee's Services Inc; Tennessee; On-site; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Benefits package

401(k) plan

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Dine Brands Global, based in Pasadena, California, invites an Area Director to lead five Applebee’s locations in delivering guest excellence, strong financial performance, and a high-performing team culture. This role champions accountability, collaboration, and servant leadership across restaurant operations and people development.

You will drive brand standards, coach managers, analyze performance metrics, and engage with the community to strengthen the Applebee’s footprint.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years in multi-unit leadership roles in the restaurant or hospitality industry.

Responsibilities

• Foster a positive, inclusive culture that inspires teams to deliver exceptional guest service.
• Coaching managers to achieve their full potential and develop General Managers.
• Ensure operational consistency and adherence to Applebee’s brand standards.
• Drive accountability for quality, cleanliness, speed, and hospitality in every location.
• Train and retain top talent at the manager level through hands-on mentorship.
• Analyze financial reports to identify trends and implement improvement strategies.
• Strengthen community ties by driving local events and charitable initiatives.

Job description

Based in Pasadena, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries and franchisees, supports and operates restaurants under the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar®, IHOP®, and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® brands. As of December 28, 2025, these three brands consisted of over 3,500 restaurants across 20 international markets. Dine Brands is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world and in 2022 expanded into the Fast Casual segment. For more information on Dine Brands, visit the Company’s website located at www.dinebrands.com.

Job Location Type Field - About Us

At Applebee's, we believe in delivering excellence through a people-first leadership approach. We are committed to driving business growth, enhancing team culture, and fostering a guest-focused environment.

Position Summary

The Area Director is responsible for overseeing the operations of 5 restaurants, ensuring exceptional guest experience, delivering consistent financial performance, and developing high-performing teams. This role is for a leader who is not only results-driven but also dedicated to nurturing a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Culture Development

• Foster a positive and inclusive culture that inspires teams to deliver exceptional guest service.
• Build a strong team environment by celebrating wins, identifying growth opportunities, and coaching managers to achieve their full potential.
• Serve as a role model of ethical and performance-based leadership.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure operational consistency and adherence to Applebee’s brand standards.
• Drive accountability for quality, cleanliness, speed, and hospitality in every location.

People Development

• Train and retain top talent at the manager level to create staffed, high-functioning teams.
• Develop General Managers into impactful leaders through coaching and hands-on mentorship.

Financial Management

• Achieve or exceed financial goals by driving top-line growth and managing controllable expenses.
• Analyze financial reports to identify trends and implement strategies for improvement.

Community Engagement

• Strengthen community ties by driving involvement in local events and charitable initiatives.
• Represent the brand in the community, ensuring Applebee’s is viewed as a valued partner.

Target base salary $80k-$95k depending on experience

Qualifications

Minimum of 2 years in multi-unit leadership roles in the restaurant or hospitality industry. Proven track record of achieving operational, financial, and people-related goals. Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Ability to motivate and inspire teams through servant leadership and a growth mindset. Strong business acumen with a focus on cost controls, sales building, and profitability. Experience in training and development, with a passion for mentoring future leaders.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary with performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth within a dynamic, people-first organization.
• The chance to impact lives, drive success, and leave a lasting legacy in the Applebee’s team.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Dine Brands Global strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, veteran status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act and/or other applicable laws and regulations in other jurisdictions. Dine Brands reviews criminal history in connection with a conditional offer of employment. The following is a list of all material job duties which Dine Brands reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment: implement brand standards such as food safety at all restaurants for a uniform guest experience; physically inspect restaurant premises belonging to franchisees; and facilitate frequent and close interactions with franchisees, franchisee employees, guests, and other third parties.

Based in Pasadena, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries and franchisees, supports and operates restaurants under the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar®, IHOP®, and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® brands. As of December 28, 2025, these three brands consisted of over 3,500 restaurants across 20 international markets. Dine Brands is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world and in 2022 expanded into the Fast Casual segment. For more information on Dine Brands, visit the Company’s website located at www.dinebrands.com.