Job title: Menu Developer
Number of openings: 1
Pay: $25 to $35 / hr
Work Location: In person
Job type: Full time
Job description:
We’re a growing QSR brand with 14 locations across Alberta, including a food truck, with multiple new store openings planned in Calgary and Edmonton over the coming quarters. As part of this next phase, we are launching a Central & Test Kitchen to support product innovation, sauce production, recipe standardization, and training.
This is our first dedicated Menu Developer role, created to lead the development of new menu items, promotions, and product systems that can scale consistently across a fast-growing multi-unit brand. The role is highly hands-on and focused on turning strong food ideas into operationally efficient, repeatable systems across all locations.
Our brand founder has been deeply involved in shaping the menu and product identity that customers know today, alongside a growing internal team that continues to support and evolve the brand. As the company scales, we’re looking to add additional culinary talent who can help strengthen that foundation through hands-on product development experience, operational thinking, and scalable menu innovation—while working collaboratively with leadership and cross-functional teams.
WHAT YOU’LL OWN
1. Recipe Development & Menu Innovation
- Develop and refine Korean-inspired menu items, sauces, and recipes
- Support seasonal items, LTOs, and new product ideas from concept to testing
- Create recipes that balance flavor, consistency, and operational simplicity
- Work closely with leadership to align products with the HANKKI brand direction
2. Recipe Standardization & Product Consistency
- Standardize recipes, portion sizes, and preparation methods
- Help ensure consistent taste and quality across all locations
- Translate recipes into practical kitchen procedures for store teams
- Support recipe documentation and basic SOP creation
3. Kitchen Operations & Product Testing
- Test recipes in real store environments and adjust based on operational feedback
- Help improve kitchen efficiency while maintaining food quality
- Assist with ingredient preparation methods, shelf life, and production consistency
- Collaborate with Operations teams during product rollouts
4. Ingredient, Costing & Vendor Support
- Support ingredient sourcing and product testing with vendors
- Assist with basic recipe costing and food cost awareness
- Help identify ingredients that support quality, consistency, and scalability
5. Training & Product Execution
- Help train store teams on new menu items and preparation methods
- Support visual standards for presentation and portioning
- Assist with maintaining execution consistency during launches and promotions
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
- Passion for food development and Korean-inspired flavors
- Strong understanding of Korean cuisine, sauces, ingredients, and flavor profiles
- Experience creating or improving recipes in restaurant, café, or kitchen environments
- Someone who can turn good food ideas into practical, repeatable recipes
- Hands-on and detail-oriented mindset with strong problem-solving skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and evolving environment
- Team player who communicates well with kitchen and operations teams
- Understanding of QSR or fast-casual operations is a strong asset
- Experience with recipe standardization or batch preparation is an asset
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ years of experience in culinary, kitchen, or food preparation environments
- Experience with Korean food or Asian-inspired menus preferred
- Experience in recipe development, prep systems, or kitchen operations is an asset
- Basic understanding of food cost, kitchen workflow, and food safety
- Food Safety Certification (FoodSafe, ServSafe, etc.) preferred or willingness to obtain
- Comfortable traveling between store locations if needed
- Ability to work flexibly in a growing company environment
Benefits:
- Company Vehicle and/or gas reimbursement
- Company events
- Dental care
- Discounted or free food
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Store discount
- Vision care
Pay: $25.00-$35.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Dental care
- Discounted or free food
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Store discount
- Vision care
Application question(s):
- What is your favourite HANKKi menu item and why?
- What interests you about HANKKi and this Menu Developer role?
- Are you legally authorized to work in Canada? If on a work permit, please include the permit type and expiry date.
- Where are you currently based, and are you open to occasional travel between locations if needed?
- Do you have a valid driver’s license and reliable access to transportation?
- Tell us about your experience in the restaurant or food industry, including the brands/concepts you’ve worked with and your main responsibilities.
- Tell us about a menu item, product, or promotion you helped develop. What was your role, and what was the outcome?
- When developing a new menu item, how do you balance creativity, consistency, operational efficiency, and customer appeal?
- What does a successful and scalable QSR menu mean to you?
- Tell us about a product, menu item, or rollout that did not go as planned. What happened, and what did you learn from it?
- This role works closely with operations, leadership, and cross-functional teams. How do you typically collaborate with others during product development or launches?
- Are you comfortable working in a hands-on, fast-paced, and evolving multi-unit environment?
- When would you be available to start?
Work Location: In person
