Senior Manager, Architecture and Design

Dine Brands International; Pasadena (CA); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Dine Brands Global, based in Pasadena, CA, seeks a Senior Manager, Architecture and Design to lead architecture and design across its Applebee’s, IHOP and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop brands. This hybrid role combines strategic leadership with hands-on project coordination for domestic and international initiatives.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in restaurant design, exceptional collaboration skills, and a track record of large-scale renovations that preserve brand integrity while driving growth.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in restaurant design and architecture.
• Experience managing remodel and design programs with input from multiple corporate and franchisee stakeholders.
• International experience is a plus.
• Proven leadership and ability to align branding, development, operations and marketing.

Responsibilities

• Review test fit submittals, signage and artwork scopes, design standards compliance and adaptations, kitchen and BOH equipment adjacencies, FF&E specs sourcing and review.
• Project Manager & Construction Manager for International: schedule kickoff calls with international franchisees and project teams, manage construction timelines, coordinate FF&E sourcing with franchisees, evaluate progress.
• Coordinator & Analyst: track turnover dates to Ops and opening dates for international projects, manage surveys and imaging needs, delegate drawings submittals and design contingencies.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Collaboration

Franchisee relations

Education

Architecture degree

Master’s degree

Job description

## Senior Manager, Architecture and DesignApply: Pasadena, CA: Full time: Posted Today: JR2301Based 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 TypeHybrid-**Responsibilities:** Architect & Designer:Reviewing test fit submittals, signage and artwork scopes, design standards compliance and adaptations, kitchen and BOH equipment adjacencies, FF&E specs sourcing and review, vendor and consultant qualification and management, brand prototype management, design guide development and updates, franchisee interface, site visits, CSCS coordination, RFI and RFP support, Franchisee onboarding on design and Development process Project Manager & Construction Manager for International:Schedule kick of calls with international franchisees and project teams, schedule and moderate weekly construction calls, manage construction timelines, coordinate FF&E sourcing efforts with franchisees, evaluate construction progress, manage and coordinate test fit submittals and proposals, support in-market development efforts Coordinator & Analyst: track, record, and document turnover dates to Ops and opening dates for international projects, schedule and approve surveys and imaging needs for domestic development, delegate and manage workflows such as drawings submittals and design contingencies for FRC, and International FRC, oversee international pipeline.**Skills & Requirements:*** 10+ years of experience of progressive experience in restaurant design and architecture* Experience in managing remodel and design programs that require input from multiple corporate and franchisee constituents* Highly collaborative* Experience across restaurant industry categories, specifically casual dining* International experience a plus* Proven track record of innovation and problem solving in environments involving multiple constituencies* Passion for driving brand performance through design* Proven track record in creating alignment for restaurant architecture and design across the disciplines of branding, finance, development, operations and marketing * Track record of overseeing scale renovation and reimaging programs across large franchise systems* Success in managing and updating lifecycle programs for franchise restaurant concepts in a way that maintains brand integrity and consistency while helping to drive the brand forward to insure future relevance across a changing competitive landscape and evolving consumer tastes* Managed value engineering exercises, with proven ability to leverage purchasing scale to drive best cost solutions* Trend spotter with the ability to apply this knowledge against practical, innovative, and relevant designs for scale restaurant * Leadership* Strategic thinker and practical problem solver* Developer of people and skills* Effective, fact-based communicator* Credible among franchisees and peer* Target base salary $135k-$155k depending on experience **Education*** Undergraduate degree in Architecture or Design, Master’s degree a plus* Substantial experience across the disciplines that effect restaurant capital investments including financial analysis, supply chain management* Relevant professional licenses and professional credentialsEqual Employment Opportunity StatementDine 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: conduct necessary due diligence on business opportunities and transactions; analyze and handle franchisees’ personal and financial information; and facilitate frequent and close interactions with franchisees and franchisee employees.