If you are looking for a job at a restaurant chain that franchises its brand, consider applying with one of its franchise groups.

          A franchise group is a business that owns and operates several locations of a brand, or several noncompeting brands, within a state or geographic region. Often an entrepreneur or former restaurant industry executive runs the company.

          These companies often need human resources, accounting and other home office staff. The key is to find the name of the company that owns the local units of the restaurant chain where you hope to apply.

          Lexington, Ky.-based Thomas and King operates 90 Applebee’s and seven Carino’s Italian restaurants. The restaurants are located in Arizona, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Perry Sholes, vice president of talent management and inclusion for Thomas and King, says the easiest way to find out who owns a restaurant franchise in your area is to visit the location.

          “Go into the store and ask the manager: ‘Who owns you, or are you a corporate Applebee’s? If you are a franchise, where is your home office?’” he says. “Or, somewhere on the building or inside the front door, most restaurants have a sign that says, ‘This Applebee’s is operated by so and so company.’”

          Also, try your chamber of commerce to find out which franchise companies have offices in your city. Don’t forget to ask your own network of contacts if they know people at local franchise groups.

          Another way to find the local franchise group is to see if a national chain is sponsoring a charity event in your area.

          “The restaurant industry is very philanthropic,” Sholes says. “You may find a contact there.”

          Although the restaurants in the different franchise groups have to prepare the same food and adhere to standards that corporate dictates, franchise groups may vary in other details such as pay and benefits. Sholes says one franchise group may offer one more week of vacation to new managers than another franchise group, even if they are both franchisees of the same restaurant. So be sure to ask questions at the interview.

          “Company policies are going to be different,” he says. “All of those are going to be determined by the owners or leadership of that company.”

          You can also find out whether there is a local franchise group if you apply online through the chain’s corporate website.

          “With all of our concepts, the applicant can go online and apply directly through the websites,” says Linda Eckert, director of people services for Desert Island Restaurants, a franchisee of Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Romano’s Macaroni Grill. “The applications and résumés are forwarded to the e-mail address we give the franchisor to our restaurants.”

          Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Desert Island is also the franchisor of Thaifoon Taste of Asia and Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill.

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