Director of Beverage | Fast Casual

Director of Beverage

Location: Houston, TX

A rapidly growing national restaurant brand is seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Beverage to lead the strategy, development, and execution of its beverage program. This executive will play a critical role in driving innovation, operational excellence, and guest satisfaction across all beverage categories, ensuring the brand remains highly competitive in the beverage marketplace.

The ideal candidate is both a strategist and operator, with a deep understanding of the beverage industry, franchise operations, and consumer trends. This leader will collaborate cross-functionally to design and roll out beverage initiatives that enhance profitability, brand loyalty, and customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and lead the overall beverage strategy aligned with company growth objectives.
• Partner with senior leadership to position the brand as a leader in the beverage space.
• Analyze market trends, consumer insights, and competitive landscapes to identify growth opportunities.

Innovation & Product Development

• Oversee the creation, testing, and commercialization of new beverage offerings.
• Ensure beverage programs align with brand standards, consumer demand, and profitability targets.
• Collaborate with culinary and marketing teams on menu strategy, pricing, and promotions.

Operational Execution

• Lead the planning and management of beverage rollouts across the system.
• Develop training materials, operational standards, and support tools to ensure consistent execution.
• Partner with operations to monitor beverage program performance and drive continuous improvement.

Project & Program Management

• Serve as the project leader for all beverage initiatives from concept through execution.
• Manage timelines, budgets, and cross-functional teams to deliver initiatives on schedule and within scope.
• Provide regular updates, reporting, and analysis to senior leadership.

Franchise & Market Support

• Support franchisees with beverage program adoption, training, and execution.
• Identify and manage vendor and supplier relationships to optimize quality, cost, and efficiency.
• Stay current with beverage industry developments, coffee/juice culture, and guest preferences to ensure programs remain competitive.

Qualifications

• 10 years of progressive leadership experience in beverage, foodservice, or QSR; VP or Director-level experience required.
• Proven success leading beverage strategy, innovation, and execution within the coffee or café industry.
• Strong understanding of franchise operations and multi-unit business models.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large-scale rollouts and cross-functional initiatives.
• Expertise in market analysis, consumer trends, and product strategy.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on execution.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Hospitality, or related field; MBA preferred.

Why Join?

• Opportunity to build and lead a beverage program for one of the nation’s fastest-growing restaurant brands.
• Work alongside an experienced executive team with a proven track record of driving sustained growth.
• Be at the forefront of beverage innovation in a category with strong consumer demand.
• Lead large-scale initiatives that directly influence profitability, guest experience, and brand positioning.
• Join a culture that values creativity, collaboration, and operational excellence.