Quick Service Restaurant Trainer

Poke House; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Covered meals during travel

Job summary

Poke House in San Jose, CA is seeking a full-time Trainer to lead pre-opening training for new locations, serve as an on-site resource during store launches, and help facilitate team training during and after openings.

You will bridge brand standards with real-world execution, coach franchise owners and staff, and ensure operational readiness across high-volume locations through hands-on support and clear communication. Travel up to 3–4 weeks is required.

Qualifications

• Experience in restaurant training or operations.
• Franchise experience preferred.
• Bi-lingual skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive training sessions for new franchise owners on brand standards and operations.
• Collaborate with internal departments to develop training schedules and materials.
• Support initial store openings by onboarding and training staff.
• Ensure locations are ready and meet company standards before opening.
• Coach trainees on service, safety, leadership, and financial controls.
• Provide feedback to corporate on training improvements and insights.
• Serve as an ongoing resource for operators post-launch.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of policies and procedures.
• Review KPIs for applicable locations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Training & Coaching

Time Management

Travel readiness

Job description

About Us

Poke House is a fast-growing quick service restaurant (QSR) brand entering an exciting new phase - franchising! With strong roots in quality food and exceptional customer service, we're now expanding our family through dedicated, passionate partners. That's where you come in.

Position: Trainer

Location: San Jose, CA (Home base)

Travel: Required for up to 3-4 weeks at a time (domestic travel to new locations)

Job Type: Full-time | Exempt

About the Role

As our Trainer, you will play a critical role in ensuring new locations and their teams are fully equipped to operate successful locations. You'll lead pre-opening training for new location owners, serve as an on-the-ground resource during store launches, and help facilitate team training during and post-opening. You'll be the bridge between brand standards and real-world execution - delivering our mission through leadership, consistency, and hands-on support.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive training sessions for new franchise owners on brand standards, policies, and day-to-day operations
• Collaborate with internal departments to develop training schedules and materials
• Support the initial store opening by facilitating employee onboarding and in-store training
• Ensure new locations are operationally ready and meet company standards before opening
• Coach trainees on best practices in service, safety, team leadership, and financial controls
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of company policies and operational procedures
• Provide feedback to the corporate team on training improvements and operational insights
• Serve as an ongoing resource for operators post-launch
• Strong knowledge of food products
• Review operational KPIs for applicable locations

What We're Looking For (Requirements)

• Strong understanding of operational workflows in a high-volume foodservice environment
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and motivate both franchise owners and frontline team members
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills
• Comfortable with frequent travel and extended time on the road (up to 3-4 weeks at a time)
• Adaptable, proactive, and passionate about growing a brand

Bonus Points If You Have (Preferred)

• 3+ years of experience in restaurant operations and training (QSR/franchise experience preferred)
• Experience launching new locations
• Background in instructional design or training program development
• Bi-lingual (Spanish or another language commonly spoken in the QSR workforce)

Why Join Us?

• Be a foundational part of our expansion journey
• Work closely with leadership in a collaborative and high-impact role
• Travel and meet passionate franchisees building their dream
• Competitive compensation, travel benefits, and career growth opportunities
• Covered meals during travel

At Poke House, our mission is to capture California's adventurous spirit in our tasty, modern poke while supporting local small businesses and preserving the environment. We work hard to craft each delicious poke bowl and ensure that the quality of our ingredients are always top grade. Our sushi-grade fish is delivered daily, and our fruits and vegetables are locally sourced, prepared fresh every day, and organic when possible. From construction to consumption, we are committed to being environmentally conscious.