Architecture Director (Licensed) — Quick-Service Restaurant Programs

Location: Frisco, TX (North Dallas)
Company: Zebra Architecture (Zebra Global) - Represented by Luxus Group Recruiting — Commercial Interior Design & Architecture focused on brand experiences

About Zebra

Zebra is a global commercial interior design and architecture firm that transforms retail, hospitality, and branded environments at scale—delivering rollouts and flagship experiences for consumer brands worldwide. Our team has executed programs across 100+ countries, including fast-casual/QSR concepts and multi-site retail.

The Opportunity

We’re hiring a licensed Architecture Director to lead our Frisco, TX studio focused on a national Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) client with strong household-name recognition. You’ll own client leadership, office and team management, program delivery, and speed-to-market results across multi-state site adaptations and new builds.

What You’ll Lead

• Client Leadership & Growth

  • Serve as day-to-day executive liaison for a fast-growing national QSR brand; drive roadmap, budgets, and performance KPIs (cycle time, first-pass permit approvals, change-order rate).

  • Translate brand and business goals into scalable prototypes, standards, and playbooks for multi-site delivery.

• Studio & People Leadership

  • Lead a cross-functional team (project managers, architects, designers, and coordinators); set resourcing plans, utilization targets, QA/QC, and mentoring pathways.

  • Build hiring plans; elevate culture, coaching, and performance feedback; uphold health/safety practices.

• Program & Technical Execution

  • Oversee prototype maintenance and site adaptations (ground-up, in-line, end-cap, pad sites, drive-thru, dual-lane).

  • Direct code analysis, zoning/land-use due diligence, and permitting strategy across multiple jurisdictions.

  • Ensure compliance with IBC, ADA/TAS, energy codes, and local amendments; coordinate MEP/structural and vendor partners.

  • Establish speed-to-permit and speed-to-start benchmarks; implement checklists, submittal packages, and drawing standards.

• Quality, Risk & Financials

  • Own QA/QC gates from schematic through CDs; reduce RFIs and rework by applying lessons learned.

  • Manage fee proposals, scope, and profitability; forecast pipeline; drive on-time/on-budget delivery.

• Partnerships & Brand Experience

  • Align with client’s real-estate, operations, and branding teams; elevate prototypical details that improve throughput, acoustics, lighting, and guest experience.

What You Bring

• Professional license (U.S.) in Architecture; NCARB preferred. Ability to gain TX reciprocity if not already licensed in TX.

• 10–15+ years in architectural practice with program/rollout leadership; QSR, fast-casual, retail, or multi-site experience required.

• Demonstrated office/studio leadership: people management, hiring, mentoring, utilization, and P&L awareness.

• Mastery of Revit, familiarity with AutoCAD and Bluebeam; comfort with BIM standards, model audits, and coordination workflows.

• Strong jurisdictional navigation: entitlement, permitting, health department, and landlord review processes in multiple states.

• Excellent client-facing communication, decision-making, and executive presence.

Nice to Have

• Experience optimizing drive-thru layouts, kitchen adjacencies, and back-of-house efficiency for throughput.

• Experience with national brand guidelines, prototype governance, and value-engineering for cost/schedule.

• LEED/WELL or similar credential; multi-region permit strategy experience.

Success in 6–12 Months Looks Like

• Studio utilization consistently at target; quality KPIs trending up and rework trending down.

• Prototype updated and standardized; average permit approval lead time reduced across priority municipalities.

• High client NPS/CSAT; additional scopes awarded due to performance and trust.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary Range: $140,000 – $190,000, plus annual performance bonus; comprehensive benefits package.

• Relocation assistance available for out-of-market leaders.

Travel

• Regional travel for site walks, AHJ meetings, and key client sessions (generally <20%).