Brand Champion - Earn $85k-$100k/yr - Company Vehicle Provided

At Applegreen, our mission is to delight customers in transit with passionate hospitality and brands they love.

Applegreen is a leading roadside retailer operating high-quality travel plazas and service areas in the US, Ireland, and the UK. Founded on a commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and customer experience, Applegreen combines fuel, convenience retail, and a diverse portfolio of food and beverage offerings to create welcoming destinations for customers.

In the U.S., Applegreen partners with major transportation authorities and operates more than 100 service plazas along some of the country’s busiest highways and turnpikes. The company is known for modern facilities, strong national and local food brands, and an emphasis on freshness, quality, and sustainability.

At Applegreen, our people are at the heart of what we do. We foster a culture that values teamwork, development, and accountability, offering employees opportunities to grow their careers in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Applegreen continues to expand while remaining focused on delivering exceptional service to customers and creating a great place to work.

Our core values define who we are and guide how we work every day. They shape our decisions, inspire our actions, and influence how we engage with our customers, suppliers, business partners, and one another.

• Our customers and communities are at the heart of everything we do.
• We value and develop our people.
• We are driven by pace, passion and performance.
• We seek opportunities and embrace change.

The Brand Champion is responsible for leading the overall operations of a specific food brand business, focusing on operational excellence, and building profitable top line sales. This role is part of the Plaza Operations Food Brand team, helping to establish goals and direction for the business.

This position will support locations primarily along the NY State Thruway, reporting to the Vice President, Operations and work closely with the Food Brand/Commercial Team to ensure full brand compliance.

• →Establish clear sales goals with each Restaurant General Manager. Create and execute effective action plans and conduct follow-up visits that drive accountability.
• →Be the subject matter expert for assigned brand systems, equipment, and facilities.
• →Work with Brand Director to train the team and develop training restaurants
• →Train and support teams on any operational excellence initiatives within the brand ensuring full brand compliance and training is implemented as per our brand partner’s guidelines.
• →Train and support the best possible opening teams in the smooth opening of any new restaurants
• →Provide and train systems & tools that enable Restaurant Managers to control labor, prevent loss, manage food cost, and deliver traveler experience to established targets.
• →Ensure effective execution and training of any LTO’s or NPD.
• →Develop a culture of excellence in food safety and brand standards – make a difference on every visit.
• →Lead by example and promote an environment where the Restaurant Managers and Associates understand there is a sense of urgency to satisfy each traveler. Teach, coach, and develop them on how to exceed traveler expectations with speed, product quality and hospitality that leads to increased traveler satisfaction.
• →Review traveler feedback and engage the restaurant team in developing action plans to improve the traveler experience.
• →Monitor each restaurant team to make sure they are following and using training tools to foster consistent knowledge and drive deliverables.
• →Support participation for the Restaurant Managers at all learning programs so they are continuously learning skills that lead to operational excellence.
• →Provide ongoing feedback to Restaurant Managers and Associates through frequent communication. Recognize achievements and resolve concerns in a timely manner.
• →Develop high performing leadership teams through rigorous selection, training, and ongoing professional development. Ensure there is a succession plan in place for GM’s
• →Coach the Restaurant Managers on how to hire, train and develop the best people and plan staffing levels to meet guests and business needs that drive results.
• →Advise and assist Plaza Directors on achieving excellent customer food experiences.
• →Develop mutually beneficial relationships with local Franchisor support personnel.

• Customer Focus – ensure our customer’s expectations are exceeded
• Passion for People and good communicator – Enjoy coaching and training people and developing leaders. All delivered in a positive way that encourages growth of the people and the business
• Attention to detail – Ensure we are finding opportunities to improve on every visit
• Build Effective Teams – get the right people in the right places, enabling them to make decisions and celebrate success as a team.
• Develop Direct Reports and Others – provide honest feedback to Associates and Restaurant Managers, actively coaching and supporting them to achieve personal and professional goals.
• Interpersonal Relationships and Influence – build relationships and appropriately uses influence to get things done, gains the trust and support of colleagues and direct reports.

• 5+ years Management experience
• QSR Management experience with strong financial business acumen (sales/profit/margin)
• Strong supervisory, coaching and leadership skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a focus on customer service.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to work across all shifts.
• Familiarity with food handling, safety, and other restaurant guidelines.
• Willingness to travel 40-50% is required. This role is field-based and requires visiting plaza locations at least 4 days per week. It is not an office-based position.
• Strong communication skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Applegreen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. Applegreen prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination.