Food Service Specialist

Job Family Group: Retail Group Job Description: Retail Food Service Specialist There’s never been a better time to join TravelCenters of America! For 50 years, millions of professional truck drivers and motorists have called our travel centers home, depending on us daily for fuel, food, truck maintenance and essential services. Today, TA is amid a major company transformation. Driven by a passionate team, TA is focused on growing its network of travel centers, upgrading more than 100 existing TA, Petro and TA Express locations nationwide, implementing modern technology and embarking on innovative alternative energy and sustainability initiatives. From our locations across the country, to our corporate headquarters in Westlake, Ohio, every team member is a stakeholder in TA’s transformation. This dynamic environment offers endless career opportunities for individuals interested in sharing their ideas, growing with the company, and shaping TA’s future. Summary The Food Specialist is the brand champion and subject-matter expert for operations food service operations (across deli, QSR and FSR concepts) within an assigned region. This role primarily works with the district managers, site leadership and team members, and partners with franchise brand teams, TA Marketing and Food Service category managers, to protect brand integrity, deliver flawless program execution, and drive results. The Food Specialist supports the field through coaching and training, ensures a productive and safety‑focused culture, and helps sites deliver safe food operations and achieve targets in sales, margin, labor, inventory, and EBITDA. Duties and Responsibilities Brand & Program Leadership Serve as the brand champion and subject‑matter expert for all assigned food concepts, ensuring brand integrity across all stores. Responsible for ensuring that all 3rd party brand audits keep TA in good standing with the brands. Plan, implement, and support execution of brand programs and promotions. Collaborate with Marketing on planning and innovation. Utilize at site experience and consumer insights to identify growth opportunities and effective communicates with team leader and food service team in product development and marketing initiatives. Field Support, Training, and Communication Supports the District Manager and the site food team with the execution and implementation of all the food offer programs and marketing initiatives Monitor and ensure all training is on target, providing support to restaurant management teams when needed. Maintain consistent communication with district and restaurant managers through calls, emails, virtual meetings, and in‑person visits. Be knowledgeable and actively involved in new restaurant installations and operational programs. Performance & Financial Management Support sites in achieving targeted EBITDA, sales, margin, and shrink goals. Monitor inventory levels to ensure accuracy and prevent loss. Evaluate team member turnover and partner with restaurant management to develop effective retention strategies. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Representation Assist the Loss Prevention Group with assignments as needed. Collaborate with cross‑functional partners to improve programs and execution. Perform other duties as required to support division and company objectives. Safety & Compliance Promote a strong safety culture by identifying risks and encouraging safe behaviors across all locations. Assist in communicating safety and compliance requirements to field teams. Ensure adherence to operational, safety, and regulatory policies. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. 3-5+ years of experience in restaurant/marketing/operations Ability to uphold brand integrity and execute programs. Servsafe certification or able to pass Strong financial acumen (understanding the calculations on the P&L, coverage ratio, budget & expense reports, and teaching team members to understand the same). Strong coaching and influencing skills. Excellent communication skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word. Awareness of industry best practices. Willingness for multi‑state travel; valid driver’s license. Competencies Accountability – demonstrates and communicates a high level of ownership and commitment to achieving results Adaptability – adapts effectively to different situations even when under stress or pressure Communicating – listens; speaks and writes clearly and concisely Developing others – the desire to foster the long-term growth of others, but without playing the role of a formal trainer or facilitator Initiative – establishes goals and gets buy-in from teams to achieve results; able to overcome obstacles to reach goals; champions new goals by becoming a strong advocate for change Problem solving – takes a systematic approach to solving problems rather than reacting to symptoms Teamwork and co-operations – Call for a strong willingness to work closely with colleagues or with other employees toward a common goal as opposed to working in competition with others. Our travel centers serve thousands every day; not one traveler is the same and our team must reflect that. We can "return every traveler to the road better than they came" only by understanding and celebrating individualism. TravelCenters of America is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, familial status, ancestry, sex, gender, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, handicap, military service or Veteran status, genetic information or membership in any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. At TravelCenters of America, we invite everyone to make themselves at home . Working Conditions