Application Specialist

The Application Specialist is responsible for the administration, configuration, support, testing, and continuous improvement of restaurant technology applications, with a primary focus on Point of Sale (POS) systems and related business platforms. This role serves as a subject matter expert for restaurant technology solutions, ensuring reliable system performance, accurate menu and product configuration, seamless integrations, and successful deployment of new technology initiatives. The Application Specialist partners closely with Operations, Marketing, Training, and vendor partners to support business objectives and enhance the restaurant and guest experience.
The ideal candidate possesses hands-on restaurant operations experience or restaurant technology experience, including strong knowledge of POS platforms, preferably Toast POS. This individual understands the practical challenges faced by restaurant teams and can translate operational needs into effective technology solutions. Responsibilities include system administration, troubleshooting, testing, training, deployment support, data integrity, and ongoing optimization of restaurant technology systems.

* Administer, configure, and maintain POS systems, including menu management, pricing, modifiers, promotions, discounts, taxes, tender types, and reporting structures.
* Perform ongoing maintenance of application databases, product catalogs, vendor information, and operational configurations.
* Configure, test, and deploy approved system changes to support new menu items, promotions, operational initiatives, and business requirements.
* Serve as the primary support resource and subject matter expert for POS and restaurant technology applications.
* Troubleshoot application, hardware, and integration issues, providing timely resolution or escalation when necessary.
* Execute functional, integration, and user acceptance testing for new applications, enhancements, and technology implementations.
* Document defects, provide root cause analysis, and coordinate with vendors and support teams to ensure issue resolution.
* Support store openings, transfers, conversions, and system rollouts as required.
* Ensure POS systems integrate effectively with inventory, accounting, online ordering, loyalty, gift card, CRM, and other enterprise systems.
* Maintain system documentation, procedures, training materials, and configuration standards.
* Provide training and guidance to restaurant operators, field teams, and support personnel on POS functionality and best practices.
* Participate in after-hours maintenance activities, deployments, and on-call support as business needs require.

Education:
* Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Hospitality Management, Business, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience will be considered.

Experience:
* 4+ years of restaurant technology, POS administration, or business application support experience.
* Previous restaurant operations experience or direct support of multi-unit restaurant environments required.
* Experience with Toast POS configuration, implementation, support, or administration strongly preferred.
* Experience with software testing, deployments, system integrations, and vendor management preferred.

Skills/Competencies/Certifications:
* Strong understanding of restaurant operations, including front-of-house and back-of-house workflows.
* Advanced knowledge of POS systems, hardware, software, and troubleshooting methodologies.
* Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.
* Experience with application testing and quality assurance processes.
* Strong project management and organizational skills.
* Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
* Effective verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
* Knowledge of system integrations, data management, and reporting platforms.
* Familiarity with PCI compliance, security standards, and best practices for POS environments.
* Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with restaurant operators, vendors, franchisees, and cross-functional teams.

Working Conditions
* Periodic travel required to support restaurant locations, implementations, and training initiatives.
* Occasional evening, overnight, weekend, or early-morning work may be required to support deployments and maintenance windows.
* Ability to work effectively in both office and remote environments.