Unit Training Manager Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Field Training Manager

Steak ’n Shake | Franchisee

Position Overview

Steak ’n Shake is seeking a high-impact Field Training Manager (FTM) to elevate performance across franchisee restaurants. Reporting to the VP of Training and collaborating with multi-unit field leadership, this leader will drive training excellence, strengthen multi-unit capability, and ensure disciplined restaurant certification standards across assigned markets. This role is a visible, performance-focused position that directly influences operational results and builds the future bench of Steak ’n Shake leadership.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead Market-Based Training Execution

• Plan, deliver, and evaluate training for new product launches and non-product initiatives across franchise and company markets.
• Execute special projects and field tests while ensuring consistent brand standards and operational excellence.
• Measure training effectiveness and adjust delivery to maximize performance outcomes.

2. Coach & Develop Restaurant Leadership

• Conduct structured restaurant assessments and lead “development days” with Franchisees.
• Diagnose operational gaps, measure performance drivers, and provide actionable coaching and feedback.
• Recommend and implement targeted development plans to build leadership bench strength and improve restaurant results.
• Partner with Franchise Business Advisors (FBAs) and leaders to elevate management capability.

3. Facilitate Instructor-Led Training

• Facilitate 2–3 training classes per month (approximately 27 annually) in assigned franchisee markets.
• Teach core operational, leadership, and performance curriculum aligned with company strategy.
• Receive recommendations from field leadership on training needs and provide live support.
• Teach and oversee food safety training certification at the restaurant level

4. Manage Training Restaurant Certification Standards

• Oversee and ensure disciplined execution of the training restaurant certification process.
• Audit, assess, and validate training restaurants to maintain consistent, high-performance standards.
• Strengthen organizational performance through structured certification oversight.
• Visit high-performing restaurants and develop them into certified training restaurants
• Partner with existing certified training restaurants to audit and coach training best practices

5. Support New Restaurant Openings

• Lead and support Franchisee onboarding.
• Develop follow-up plans to ensure training initiatives translate into sustained operational performance.

Required Qualifications

• 5–7 years of progressive restaurant operations experience required.
• Minimum 2 years of multi-unit training leadership experience required.
• Proven experience leading restaurant training initiatives, coaching managers, and driving measurable operational improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to assess performance, analyze data, and implement structured improvement plans.
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills with experience teaching or leading structured training programs.
• Ability to travel within assigned domestic markets (estimated 50–70% travel depending on market needs).

Preferred Qualifications

• 8+ years of restaurant operations experience in a multi-unit or franchise environment.
• Prior experience in franchise systems
• Experience facilitating formal leadership development or corporate training programs.
• Experience supporting new restaurant openings and certification processes.
• Bilingual capabilities (Spanish preferred).

Why Steak ’n Shake?

At Steak ’n Shake, we are building a high-performance franchise system grounded in operational excellence, leadership development, and disciplined standards. The Field Training Manager plays a critical role in shaping the future of our franchisee model and strengthening restaurant leadership across markets.

This position serves as a direct bench for Franchise Business Advisor and other operations or training leadership roles — offering strong career growth for ambitious leaders ready to make an impact.