Restaurant Operations Systems Architect (SOPs, Manuals, Checklists & Complete Operating System)

Restaurant Operations Systems Architect (SOPs, Manuals, Checklists & Complete Operating System) Overview I own two quick-service restaurants in California. I am looking for someone to help build the complete operating system for my business. This is NOT a Virtual Assistant position. This is NOT a restaurant manager position. This is NOT a customer service position. I’m looking for someone who can take everything that currently exists in my head and help turn it into documented systems that allow the business to operate consistently without constant owner involvement. Think of this as building the operations playbook for a restaurant that could eventually grow into multiple locations. ⸻ Project Goal By the end of this project, I want a complete operations manual that another owner or manager could use to run the business. I don’t want generic templates copied from the internet. Everything must be customized specifically for my restaurants. ⸻ Deliverables I expect you to help create and organize documentation including, but not limited to: Operations Manual * Complete restaurant operations manual * Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) * Department organization * Process maps * Decision trees * Escalation procedures Management Systems * General Manager responsibilities * Assistant Manager responsibilities * Shift Leader responsibilities * Crew Member job descriptions * Accountability systems * Daily manager routines * Weekly manager routines * Monthly manager responsibilities * Performance scorecards Daily Checklists * Opening checklists * Shift change checklists * Closing checklists * Cleaning schedules * Equipment maintenance schedules * Food safety checklists * Hourly manager walkthroughs * Dining room inspections * Drive-thru inspections * Restroom inspections * Parking lot inspections Human Resources * Hiring workflow * Interview guides * New hire onboarding * Training plans * Training checklists * Progressive discipline process * Employee handbook organization * Attendance procedures * Call-out procedures Restaurant Systems * Inventory procedures * Ordering procedures * Cash handling procedures * Register counting procedures * Deposit procedures * Refund procedures * Customer complaint procedures * Equipment issue reporting * Vendor management * Preventive maintenance schedules Performance & Accountability * KPI dashboards * Labor tracking * Food cost tracking * Waste tracking * Ticket time tracking * Manager performance reviews * Shift audits * Store audits * Weekly operations reports Documentation * Digital filing system * Forms library * Templates * Logs * Checklists * Accountability documents ⸻ How We’ll Work I don’t expect you to know my business on Day 1. We’ll work together. I’ll explain how we currently operate, and your job is to organize, improve, document, simplify, and standardize those systems into professional operating manuals. I want someone who asks great questions and improves processes—not someone who simply types what I say. ⸻ Ideal Experience I’m looking for someone with experience in one or more of the following: * Multi-unit restaurant operations * QSR operations * Franchise operations * Operations consulting * SOP development * Business systems * Process improvement * Operations manuals * Training systems * Lean operations * Continuous improvement Experience with brands like McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane’s, Starbucks, Taco Bell, In-N-Out, Wendy’s, or similar restaurant systems is a major plus. ⸻ Success Looks Like At the end of this project, my business should have documented systems for nearly every recurring task, making it easier to train employees, hold managers accountable, maintain consistency between locations, and reduce the owner’s involvement in day-to-day operations. This is expected to become a long-term relationship as we continue improving and expanding the business. ⸻ To Apply Please answer the following: 1. Tell me about your experience building operations systems—not just managing restaurants. 2. Have you created SOPs, manuals, or operational playbooks before? Please share examples. 3. Describe the largest operations manual you’ve built. 4. What software do you use for documentation and process mapping? 5. If you were hired today, what systems would you build first for a two-location quick-service restaurant? 6. Include the phrase “Systems First” at the beginning of your proposal so I know you read the entire posting. I am looking for someone who enjoys building businesses that run on systems instead of relying on one person.