Manager, Design Standards,, US&C

Overview

Ready to make your next big professional move? Join us on our journey to achieve our big dream of building the most loved restaurant brands in the world. RBI is one of the world's largest quick service restaurant companies with nearly $45 billion in annual system-wide sales and over 32,000 restaurants in more than 120 countries and territories. RBI owns four of the world's most prominent and iconic quick service restaurant brands – TIM HORTONS®, BURGER KING®, POPEYES®, and FIREHOUSE SUBS®.

Through its Restaurant Brands for Good framework, RBI is improving sustainable outcomes related to its food, the planet, and people and communities. RBI is committed to growing the TIM HORTONS®, BURGER KING®, POPEYES® and FIREHOUSE SUBS® brands by leveraging their respective core values, employee and franchisee relationships, and long track records of community support. Each brand benefits from the global scale and shared best practices that come from ownership by Restaurant Brands International Inc.

Our Opportunity: The Manager, Design Standards & Vendor Programs is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and communication of Popeyes brand architectural and design standards to ensure consistent execution across all restaurants. This role owns design standards production, prototype development and maintenance, vendor coordination, and Design Portal governance, serving as the central point of accountability for materials, equipment, and FF&E across all Popeyes buildouts.

This position plays a critical role in evolving and maintaining Popeyes restaurant prototypes, ensuring they remain current, buildable, cost-effective, and aligned with brand, operational, and market needs. By bringing structure and ownership to standards, vendors, and materials, this role helps drive consistency, cost control, and scalability across new builds and renovations.

RBI follows a 5 day, in-office work schedule to support collaboration. Candidates should be comfortable working onsite 5 days per week.

• Lead the production, maintenance, and revision of Popeyes Construction Document (CD) sets, ensuring alignment with brand standards, operational needs, and regional requirements.
• Own the governance and accuracy of design standards, specifications, and reference materials used across new builds and renovations.
• Lead prototype development, maintenance, and continuous improvement, ensuring prototypes support constructability, cost efficiency, and scalable deployment.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure standards support operational efficiency, durability, sustainability, and long-term brand equity.
• Manage relationships with approved vendors, ensuring quality, reliability, accountability, and alignment on deliverables.
• Source, evaluate, and pilot new materials, finishes, and furnishings that enhance brand experience while controlling costs and meeting performance standards.
• Lead vendor onboarding and training to support smooth implementation of new standards and programs.
• Own tracking and visibility of all materials, equipment, and FF&E across Popeyes buildouts.
• Maintain the Design Portal with accurate, up-to-date specifications, standards, bulletins, and vendor content.

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (Architecture license a plus).
• 5+ years of relevant architecture and/or design experience, preferably in restaurant design (QSR a plus).
• Proven experience managing multiple projects simultaneously from design development through construction execution.
• Strong experience with design standards, construction documentation, and vendor coordination.
• Strong understanding of building codes, permitting, environmental regulations, and NSF standards.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and Bluebeam for reading, drawing, and reviewing full architectural plans.
• Experience leading project teams, mentoring junior designers, and managing external design resources.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, identify roadblocks, and escalate issues to meet deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen, attention to detail, adaptability, and…