Principal of Architecture & Design - Hospitality & Retail Food Service

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Director of Architecture & Design to lead the architectural vision and design standards for a rapidly growing bakery café brand. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing the complete design lifecycle for new café openings, remodels, and refreshes while ensuring consistent brand execution across a growing national portfolio.

The ideal candidate is a strategic design leader with extensive experience managing multi-unit retail, restaurant, or hospitality development projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional guest environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural vision, prototype development, and design standards across all café formats.
• Review and approve site test fits, construction documents, layouts, and design specifications.
• Oversee café refresh, remodel, and new store development programs.
• Manage a national network of external architecture firms and design consultants.
• Ensure consistency in materials, finishes, fixtures, signage, and brand standards.
• Partner with Construction, Real Estate, Operations, Marketing, and Development teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support franchisees and project teams by providing architectural guidance and design solutions.
• Manage project timelines, design approvals, budgets, and vendor performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve design efficiency, construction execution, and guest experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• Licensed Architect (AIA) strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of architecture and design experience , including 5+ years leading multi-unit restaurant, retail, hospitality, or food & beverage development programs.
• Experience managing 50+ concurrent development projects across multiple markets.
• Strong expertise in construction documents, code review, prototype development, and design standards.
• Experience leading remodel and refresh programs.
• Franchise development experience preferred.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, BIM, Procore, Smartsheet, or similar platforms.
• Excellent leadership, communication, project management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to travel nationally as needed.

Preferred Background

• Bakery Café Concepts
• Coffee & Café Brands
• Quick-Service Restaurants (QSR)
• Fast Casual
• Retail & Hospitality Development
• Franchise Restaurant Development

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Birthday recognition benefit
• Career advancement opportunities
• High-performance, collaborative culture
• Opportunity to help shape a rapidly expanding national brand

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.

Company Description

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.