Equipment Innovation Analyst

Supports the evaluation, testing, approval, and integration of equipment systems that improve restaurant operations. Collects, organizes, and analyzes equipment specification, performance, service, operational, capacity, and space-planning data to identify trends and support recommendations. Coordinates assigned activities for equipment tests and deployments using established processes and under the direction of equipment leadership. Conducts restaurant observations to evaluate how team members interact with equipment, document issues, and identify opportunities to improve workflow, ergonomics, reliability, throughput, and ease of use. Collaborates with operations teams, cross-functional partners, franchisees, and suppliers to research equipment opportunities and prepare clear findings for manager review. Final business, specification, sourcing, and deployment decisions remain with the appropriate manager or leadership team.
Responsibilities
Follow the Inspire Brands approved testing process and procedures for equipment tests known as the ETAP.
Work with OE directors and managers, peers, cross-functional partners, and vendor engineering teams to support development of equipment systems that meet established screening criteria. Gather requirements, compare equipment alternatives, organize technical data, and document findings to help suppliers apply technology appropriately for each brand.
Maintain and analyze equipment specification data for Inspire Brands, including dimensions, utility requirements, performance ratings, features, cost, service requirements, and applicable standards. Identify missing, inconsistent, or outdated information; coordinate validation with suppliers and subject-matter experts; and prepare specification comparisons for manager review.
Collect, categorize, and analyze equipment issue data from franchisees, Company Operations leaders, service providers, and suppliers. Track issue frequency, failure modes, downtime, repair history, warranty status, and operational impact; identify recurring trends; coordinate follow-up; and escalate unresolved or material issues to the appropriate manager.
Analyze restaurant operations and how team members interact with equipment through field observations, time-and-motion studies, workflow mapping, and review of operating procedures. Document impacts on labor, throughput, ergonomics, food quality, safety, and ease of use, and summarize opportunities for improvement.
Perform capacity and space-planning analysis for equipment projects. Compare forecasted demand, production rates, hold times, equipment throughput, peak-period needs, footprints, clearances, utilities, and adjacencies to help determine equipment quantities, sizes, and placement options. Prepare draft layouts, assumptions, and recommendations for review.
Coordinate assigned equipment tests with vendors, franchisees, and Company Operations leaders. Maintain test plans, data-collection tools, action logs, and documentation; validate data quality; summarize status and results; and escalate risks, delays, or decisions to equipment leadership.
Monitor newly introduced equipment and technology by collecting performance, service, warranty, cost, and operational data. Build recurring reports or dashboards, compare results with established success criteria, identify trends or data gaps, and communicate findings to equipment leadership.
Research equipment, technology, suppliers, competitors, and industry developments using vendor information, trade shows, equipment groups, publications, and available market data. Organize findings and prepare comparative analyses that identify potential applications, benefits, risks, and information requiring further validation.
Develop job aids, data summaries, and training materials for new equipment systems, and support delivery of training or field communications as needed.
Communicate with co-workers, management, franchisees, and others in a courteous and professional manner.
Conform to Inspire Brands, Inc. Business Code of Conduct and Corporate Compliance Program and company regulations, policies, work procedures, and instructions.
Education Qualiications
Min/Preferred Bachelor's Degree Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
Experience Qualifications
1-3 years experience in data analysis, equipment, restaurant operations, engineering, testing, space planning, or related work in the QSR, fast casual, full-service restaurant, hospitality, or equipment manufacturing industry
Required Knowledge, Skills or Abilities
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint; ability to organize, validate, analyze, and present data using spreadsheets, charts, pivot tables, and basic dashboards
Ability to maintain equipment specification data, compare technical requirements, and identify missing, inconsistent, or outdated information
Ability to analyze equipment performance, issue, service, warranty, operational, capacity, space-planning, and financial data
Ability to conduct field observations, time-and-motion studies, workflow mapping, and structured data collection
Ability to translate analysis into clear findings, assumptions, recommendations, and presentation materials
Ability to organize work, maintain project documentation, track actions, and meet deadlines
Sound judgment within established guidelines, with the ability to identify when issues require escalation
Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, franchisees, operations leaders, and suppliers
Ability to interpret plans, written specifications, graphics, technical illustrations, and equipment utility requirements
Working knowledge of manufacturing time and material costs, restaurant design, equipment design, and restaurant operations
Working knowledge of applicable industry regulations and food-safety requirements
Decision-Making Authority
Works within approved processes, project objectives, budgets, and specifications. Analyzes information and recommends equipment, testing, and process improvements. May make routine execution decisions within assigned work; approval of equipment specifications, suppliers, investments, test outcomes, and deployment plans remains with the appropriate manager or leadership team.
Travel Recquired
10%
Inspire is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 33,300 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC restaurants worldwide. We’re made up of some of the world’s most iconic restaurant brands, but we’re much more than just a restaurant company. We’re a team of hundreds of thousands who individually and collectively are changing the way people eat, drink, and gather around the table. We know that food is much more than a staple—it’s an experience. At Inspire, that’s our purpose: to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences.