Construction Manager – Restaurant Development
Bite Brands | Toronto, ON | Full-Time
About Bite Brands
Bite Brands is a growing hospitality group focused on developing and operating leading quick-service restaurant (QSR) concepts across Canada, including Dave's Hot Chicken and Forest Hill Farmhouse.
As we continue to expand, we are looking for a highly organized, detail-oriented, and results-driven Construction Manager to oversee the development and build-out of new restaurant locations.
This role will manage the entire construction process, from pre-construction planning and budgeting through permitting, contractor selection, construction execution, and restaurant handover. The ideal candidate is proactive, financially disciplined, and experienced in managing multiple restaurant construction projects simultaneously.
Key Responsibilities
1. Pre-Construction & Project Planning
- Lead the pre-construction process for new restaurant locations, from site approval through construction readiness.
- Coordinate the onboarding of new sites, including reviewing lease agreements, landlord requirements, site conditions, and construction obligations.
- Conduct site assessments and coordinate due diligence, including existing infrastructure, utilities, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and structural requirements.
- Engage, onboard, and manage architects, engineers, designers, and other consultants.
- Coordinate the development of architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural drawings.
- Manage design development and ensure plans align with brand standards, operational requirements, and approved budgets.
- Identify potential construction risks, cost implications, and scheduling challenges before construction begins.
2. Budgeting & Cost Management
- Develop detailed construction budgets for each project, including hard costs, soft costs, permits, equipment, contingencies, and landlord-related expenses.
- Establish project cost benchmarks and identify opportunities to reduce construction costs without compromising quality.
- Prepare and manage competitive tender packages for general contractors (GCs).
- Solicit, review, and compare contractor bids, ensuring pricing is competitive and scopes are complete.
- Negotiate contractor pricing, contracts, and change orders.
- Monitor construction expenditures and maintain accurate budget tracking throughout each project.
- Review contractor progress billings, invoices, and change orders against approved budgets and completed work.
- Proactively identify cost overruns and implement corrective measures.
- Track landlord allowances and tenant improvement reimbursements.
3. Construction Management & Execution
- Oversee multiple restaurant construction projects simultaneously, ensuring each is delivered on time, within budget, and to brand standards.
- Develop and maintain detailed construction schedules with clear milestones and critical deadlines.
- Manage general contractors and ensure accountability for quality, timelines, and costs.
- Conduct regular site visits to monitor construction progress, workmanship, and compliance with approved drawings.
- Lead construction meetings with contractors, consultants, and internal stakeholders.
- Identify and resolve construction delays, deficiencies, and unforeseen site conditions.
- Coordinate the procurement and installation of restaurant equipment, millwork, signage, furniture, fixtures, and finishes.
- Ensure construction activities comply with applicable building codes, municipal requirements, and health and safety regulations.
- Maintain detailed project documentation, including schedules, budgets, meeting minutes, site reports, and change orders.
4. Landlord, Consultant & Municipal Coordination
- Act as the primary construction liaison between Bite Brands, landlords, property managers, contractors, and consultants.
- Coordinate landlord work, base-building modifications, utility connections, and tenant improvement requirements.
- Review landlord construction criteria and ensure all requirements are incorporated into project plans.
- Manage landlord drawing submissions, approvals, and construction-related communications.
- Coordinate building permits, municipal approvals, health department requirements, fire inspections, and occupancy approvals.
- Ensure landlord deliverables and site possession dates align with construction schedules.
- Proactively resolve landlord-related issues that could impact project budgets or opening timelines.
5. Restaurant Opening & Project Closeout
- Work closely with Operations, Finance, and other internal departments to ensure restaurants are ready for opening.
- Coordinate final inspections, equipment commissioning, testing, and occupancy approvals.
- Manage construction deficiencies and ensure all outstanding items are completed promptly.
- Coordinate final cleaning, equipment installation, and handover to the Operations team.
- Obtain warranties, operating manuals, as-built drawings, permits, and other closeout documentation.
- Complete final project budget reconciliations and contractor payment reviews.
- Conduct post-project evaluations to identify cost savings, process improvements, and efficiencies for future locations.
6. Construction Process Improvement & Expansion
- Develop standardized construction budgets, timelines, tender packages, and project tracking tools.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with reliable general contractors, consultants, suppliers, and trades across Canada.
- Identify opportunities to streamline restaurant construction and reduce average build-out costs.
- Support value engineering initiatives and the standardization of materials, equipment, and construction specifications.
- Provide regular project updates and reporting to senior leadership, highlighting budgets, schedules, risks, and upcoming milestones.
Qualifications & Experience
- 5+ years of experience in construction management, project management, or restaurant development.
- Experience managing QSR, restaurant, retail, or multi-unit commercial build-outs strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience managing projects from pre-construction through opening.
- Strong understanding of construction budgets, contractor tendering, cost controls, and scheduling.
- Experience working with architects, engineers, general contractors, landlords, and municipal authorities.
- Knowledge of Ontario building codes, permitting processes, and commercial construction requirements.
- Ability to read and interpret architectural, mechanical, electrical, and construction drawings.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and project management software.
- Excellent negotiation, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Willingness to travel to construction sites across Canada as required.
- Post-secondary education in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field is considered an asset.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for someone who takes full ownership of their projects and understands that successful restaurant development requires more than simply managing contractors.
The ideal candidate is someone who:
- Thinks like an owner: Treats every construction dollar as their own and actively looks for opportunities to improve costs.
- Is highly organized: Can manage multiple locations, budgets, consultants, and timelines without losing track of details.
- Is proactive: Anticipates problems before they impact the construction schedule or restaurant opening.
- Is a strong negotiator: Knows how to challenge contractor pricing, evaluate bids, and manage change orders.
- Is hands-on: Is comfortable being on-site, solving problems, and holding contractors accountable.
- Thrives in a growing company: Can build processes and systems while managing day-to-day construction responsibilities.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to play a key role in the expansion of a growing Canadian hospitality group.
- Exposure to multiple restaurant brands and development projects across Canada.
- A collaborative, entrepreneurial work environment.
- Competitive compensation based on experience.
- Opportunities for professional growth as our restaurant portfolio expands.
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Employment Type: Full-Time
Travel: Required as needed for project sites across Canada
How to Apply
- Please submit your resume along with a brief overview of your relevant construction management experience, particularly any restaurant, QSR, or multi-unit commercial projects you have managed.
