Job Title: Food Service DirectorReports To: Director of Operations FLSA Status: Exempt Location: Corporate Office with regular travel to Orton's and Holiday store locations Company Overview: Orton Oil is a respected, family-owned C-store chain operating 17 retail locations across the region-11 under the Orton's brand and 6 Holiday franchise locations. We are committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences, with a growing focus on high-quality food service offerings that drive traffic, increase profitability, and build community connections. Position Summary: The Food Service Director is a senior-level responsible for the overall strategy, execution, and performance of the foodservice program across all Orton Oil locations, including both Orton's and Holiday stores. This role ensures operational excellence in branded and proprietary food programs, drives foodservice sales growth, trains in-store staff, and contributes to category management and merchandising within Orton's branded stores. Key Responsibilities:Foodservice Operations & Strategy
- Develop and implement a cohesive food service strategy for all Orton Oil locations (Orton's & Holiday), aligned with company goals.
- Oversee day-to-day operations of food programs at:
- Orton's Branded Locations with Hunt Brothers Pizza (1), Hot Stuff (6), Chester's Chicken (4), and a proprietary offering at 1 site.
- Holiday Locations per Holiday brand standards and franchise foodservice guidelines.
- Identify opportunities to standardize and optimize offerings where possible, while maintaining flexibility to suit each location's needs.
Training & Store Support
- Design and implement ongoing training programs for store-level foodservice team members and managers, ensuring consistent execution, food safety compliance, and customer service excellence.
- Serve as the subject matter expert for foodservice and a hands-on resource for store teams, particularly during program launches, high-volume periods, or operational challenges.
- Ensure all food service areas comply with health and safety regulations and company policies.
Sales Growth & Program Development
- Monitor KPIs including foodservice sales, margins, labor efficiency, and waste. Develop strategies to improve performance and drive profitability.
- Research and evaluate potential new food programs, vendors, and technologies that can enhance customer experience and bottom line.
- Lead limited-time offer rollouts and seasonal promotions, ensuring effective marketing and store-level execution.
Category Management (Orton's Branded Stores)
- Collaborate with purchasing, operations, and store leadership to support product selection, planograms, and promotional strategies in food and beverage-related categories.
- Provide data-driven insights on foodservice-adjacent categories to enhance product mix, pricing strategies, and space allocation.
- Assist in vendor management and supplier negotiations specific to foodservice and complementary categories.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead and mentor a small team (as it develops), including any regional food service specialist or key store-level food service leads.
- Act as a liaison between corporate leadership and store-level teams, ensuring transparency and alignment of goals.
- Regularly travel to stores (up to 65%) to provide in-person coaching, support, and evaluation.
Qualifications:Required:
- 5+ years of experience in food service management, preferably in a multi-unit C-store, QSR, or franchise environment.
- Proven success in developing and implementing food service programs and training initiatives.
- Strong leadership and communication skills; comfortable working across departments and leading through influence.
- Working knowledge of food safety standards (Minnesota CFPM certification required upon hire).
- High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and basic data analysis tools.
- Ability to drive and a clean driving record.
Preferred:
- Experience with branded food programs such as Chester's Chicken, Hot Stuff, Hunt Brothers, etc.
- Background in category management or merchandising.
- Knowledge of the Holiday franchise system and brand expectations.
Work Environment & Travel:
- Office-based with frequent travel (65%-70%) to store locations.
- May occasionally require early mornings, evenings, or weekends.
Compensation & Benefits:
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
- Company vehicle or mileage reimbursement.
- Paid time off, health benefits, and 401(k) eligibility.
- Growth opportunities within a fast-evolving retail organization.