Restaurant Process Engineer

Fayetteville, AR 72703

We’re not just another chicken joint—we’re one of the fastest-growing brands in the game, built on hand‑made food and bold ambition. At Slim Chickens, every tenderloin gets the royal treatment: brined, buttermilk‑soaked, hand‑breaded, and cooked fresh to order. That same care and craft goes into how we grow our people.

If you’ve got hustle, heart, and an entrepreneurial spark, this is the place to prove yourself and shape your career. Our team thrives on real connection—working fast, thinking big, and building something that makes an impact every day. Here, you’ll be trusted to make decisions, empowered to own your work, and part of a crew that’s taking this brand to the next level.

Slim Chickens is growing fast. The only question is—are you ready to grow with us?

The Restaurant Process Engineer will optimize kitchen operations through strategic equipment layout redesign and workflow analysis. This role supports the organization's labor optimization initiatives by maximizing operational efficiency through equipment deployment and spatial organization, while preparing infrastructure for scalable growth without disrupting core business operations.

Layout & Workflow Optimization

• Analyze current back‑of‑house equipment layouts and workflows across all locations
• Conduct time‑motion studies and process mapping to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies
• Develop spaghetti diagrams and flow analyses to visualize traffic patterns and crossover points
• Redesign equipment placement to reduce steps, improve ergonomics, and enhance workstation adjacencies
• Optimize spatial utilization to maximize output within existing footprint constraints

Operational Analysis

• Measure and document assembly times, throughput rates, and speed of service metrics
• Conduct product temperature studies and quality assessments throughout production process
• Identify opportunities to consolidate, eliminate redundancy, or reorganize equipment
• Map prep processes and identify opportunities for improved efficiency
• Analyze product mix (PMIX) data and sales patterns to inform layout decisions

Labor Optimization Support

• Collaborate with operations leadership to align equipment layout with staffing deployment strategies
• Design workstations that minimize labor requirements during peak and off‑peak periods
• Reduce unnecessary movement and steps to improve labor productivity
• Create equipment configurations that enable efficient single‑operator workflows where appropriate
• Support standardization of processes to reduce training time and complexity

Scaling & Growth Preparation

• Design modular, flexible layouts that accommodate future menu development without major disruption
• Create standardized equipment configurations that can be replicated across locations
• Build infrastructure that supports growth while maintaining operational consistency
• Develop flex spaces within layouts for testing new products or limited‑time offerings
• Plan equipment placement with consideration for future volume increases

Documentation & Standards

• Create detailed floor plans, elevation drawings, and equipment specifications
• Develop standard operating procedures for optimized workflows
• Document workstation planograms and mise en place organization
• Produce implementation guides for layout changes in existing locations

Slim Chickens systems principles and objectives: Demonstrates a deep understanding of Slim Chickens’ operating systems—including food quality, safety, security, facilities, equipment standards, and company policies—and applies these systems to design, evaluate, and continuously improve restaurant layouts and workflows. Serves as a steward of operational excellence by ensuring solutions are scalable, standardized, data‑driven, and aligned with Slim Chickens’ brand standards and growth objectives.

Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description outlines the primary responsibilities of the Restaurant Process Engineer but is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties. The role requires the ability to apply engineering judgment, creativity, and…