About Us: BarBurrito is one of Canada’s leading fast-casual restaurant chains, with 400+ locations across the country, specializing in fresh, customizable burritos, tacos, and bowls made from high-quality ingredients. Since our beginnings, we’ve been passionate about delivering a fast, convenient dining experience without compromising on flavour or quality. Our focus on great food, exceptional customer service, and operational excellence has fueled our rapid and continued growth across Canada.

As we continue to expand, we're also developing several exciting emerging restaurant brands. Innovation is at the heart of what we do, and we're looking for a talented culinary professional to help shape the future of our menus.

Role Overview We are looking for an experienced Research & Development Chef to lead culinary innovation across barBURRITO and our growing portfolio of restaurant concepts. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives on creativity, enjoys solving operational challenges, and understands how to transform great food ideas into scalable menu items for high-volume restaurant operations.

Working from our corporate test kitchen in North York, you will be responsible for developing new menu items, refining existing recipes, identifying food trends, and ensuring every product delivers outstanding flavour, consistency, and profitability. In addition to driving culinary innovation, you will play a key role in presenting new products and menu strategies to our franchise partners. You'll be comfortable leading tastings, showcasing new menu items, and building excitement around upcoming launches while collaborating closely with Operations, Marketing, Purchasing, and Leadership to ensure successful system-wide implementation.

Key Responsibilities Lead the development of new menu items from concept through launch. Research emerging food trends, ingredients, flavours, and consumer preferences. Improve and optimize existing menu items for taste, consistency, cost, and operational efficiency. Develop recipes, preparation procedures, and product specifications for restaurant operations. Conduct product testing, tastings, and recipe refinement in the Test Kitchen. Collaborate with Operations, Training, Marketing, Purchasing, and Leadership teams to ensure successful product launches. Work closely with suppliers to source new ingredients and evaluate product quality. Perform food cost analysis and maintain target margins. Ensure recipes can be executed consistently across a large franchise network. Support limited-time offers, seasonal promotions, and menu innovation initiatives. Maintain food safety standards and regulatory compliance throughout the development process. Present new menu concepts, product innovations, and culinary initiatives to franchisees and corporate leadership with confidence and professionalism. Lead product demonstrations, tastings, and training sessions to support successful menu launches and franchise adoption.

What We're Looking For Previous Research & Development experience within the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) industry is required. Strong understanding of high-volume food production and scalable menu development. Experience taking products from concept to national rollout. Passion for innovation and creating exciting guest experiences. Knowledge of food costing, ingredient sourcing, and supplier collaboration. Excellent organizational and project management skills. Ability to manage multiple development projects simultaneously. Strong communication and collaboration skills. Culinary diploma or equivalent professional culinary training is considered an asset. Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to confidently engage and inspire franchisees, suppliers, and internal stakeholders. Comfortable presenting to large groups and representing the culinary team at franchise meetings, conferences, and brand events.

Preferred Experience Experience developing menu items for franchise restaurant systems. Exposure to multiple international cuisines and flavour profiles. Experience with Mexican-inspired cuisine is an asset, but not required. Strong knowledge of current food trends, global flavours, and consumer dining habits.

What We Offer Salary: $100,000 to $120,000 Fully paid health care benefits for the employee 5 paid sick days Opportunities for growth as the brands continues to scale nationally

As barBURRITO continues to grow, these newly created roles reflect our investment in building strong, scalable teams.

Hiring Transparency & AI Disclosure At BarBurrito, every application is reviewed by a human. AI tools may be used only to organize application information; they do not select, rank, or shortlist candidates.

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility barBURRITO is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace. We comply with the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Employment Standards Act, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process upon request.