Quality Assurance Specialist

Gold Star

Gold Star is a Cincinnati-born brand known for its iconic Cincinnati-style chili, genuine hospitality, and deep connection to the communities we serve. For more than 60 years, Gold Star has built its reputation on quality, consistency, and what we proudly call Chili Love—our commitment to great food, great people, and great experiences.

The Quality Assurance Specialist plays a key role in protecting and strengthening that brand experience across our restaurant system. This position is responsible for driving operational excellence and brand consistency throughout assigned Gold Star restaurants by conducting structured restaurant calibrations, identifying opportunities for improvement, and developing actionable plans that support long-term success.

Working closely with Franchisees and Operations leadership, this role blends compliance, coaching, relationship-building, and operational insight to help restaurants achieve and maintain Gold Star’s high standards. The Quality Assurance Specialist serves as a trusted partner in the field, helping teams improve performance, maintain food safety and operational standards, and ultimately deliver an exceptional guest experience in every restaurant.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Excellence & Brand Standards

• Conduct comprehensive restaurant calibrations three times annually for each assigned location.
  
• Evaluate compliance with company standards, food safety requirements, and operational best practices.
  
• Develop clear, actionable follow-up plans for each calibration and review them with Franchise Business Consultants (FBCs) and the VP of Operations.
  
• Monitor ongoing performance metrics and restaurant data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
  
• Maintain accurate documentation of calibration results, action plans, and follow-ups.
  

Franchise Partnership & Support

• Build strong, trust-based relationships with Franchisees and their leadership teams.
  
• Communicate company policies, operational updates, and system standards clearly and professionally.
  
• Serve as a brand ambassador by modeling and promoting “Chili Love” in all interactions.
  
• Support new store openings and operational initiatives.
  

Systems & Training Alignment

• Ensure Operations Manuals and required documentation remain current and properly aligned within the OPUS training platform protocol.
  
• Assist with training and onboarding of new or transferred employees as needed.
  
• Proctor ServSafe examinations and ensure food safety compliance across supported restaurants.
  

Data & Reporting

• Perform daily review and polling of restaurant data for assigned locations.
  
• Provide insights and recommendations based on operational performance trends.
  

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of restaurant operations experience (multi-unit or franchise experience strongly preferred).
  
• Experience conducting audits, evaluations, or operational reviews is a plus.
  

Certifications

• Must obtain and maintain ServSafe Certification (Level 2 – State of Ohio).
  
• Must be certified to proctor ServSafe exams.
  
• Valid driver’s license required.
  

Skills & Competencies

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Confident presenter and facilitator.
  
• Ability to influence without direct authority.
  
• Analytical mindset with the ability to translate findings into clear action plans.
  
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  
• Ability to interpret data and identify root causes.
  
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving ability.
  

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Combination of office work and on-site restaurant visits.
  
• Company vehicle provided.
  
• Prolonged periods of sitting, typing, and computer use.
  
• Regular walking during restaurant visits.
  
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
  
• Work environment may vary based on location and seasonal travel conditions.