SUMMARY:

The Director of Franchise Sales and Development is responsible for the franchise recruitment strategy to grow the franchise system and drive expansion. Partnering with Operations Leaders and VP of Real Estate, this position leads the Franchise Recruiting efforts with responsibilities for recruiting new franchisees interested in Taco Cabana and Nick the Greek Franchising, or acquiring existing locations, and building strategic relationships to develop and implement non-traditional strategies for growth. This position is also responsible for all franchise marketing materials and collateral, managing Taco Cabana and Nick the Greek franchising website, management of the franchise recruitment process and selection, CRM database, market analysis and alternative business development initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the franchise recruitment process for new growth franchisees and acquisitions accountable for the annual franchise recruitment goals.
• Develops and executes franchise recruitment activities that generate qualified new franchise candidates and other business platforms or concepts to grow the restaurant system meeting or exceeding targets.
• Responsible for communicating the recruitment strategy, processes and status with direct reports, peers, department leaders, franchisees, franchise leadership and senior leadership regularly.
• Ensures that all internal and external franchise requirements are met, including following proper FDD disclosure / legal requirements, completing all background and credit checks, and maintaining all applications, contracts, and other required documentation utilizing CRM platform to ensure proper documentation throughout the candidate qualification, approvals & onboarding process.
• Engages and collaborates with Franchise Operations, Marketing, Supply Chain/Logistics, Corporate Development and Facilities teams to conduct business reviews and franchise health assessments.
• Own all recruitment initiatives for new franchisees, which includes working with marketing, communications, and external ad agencies to design and implement recruitment campaigns.
• Builds a franchise development pipeline and process that consistently maintains a sufficient inventory of qualified franchisees to meet the company's yearly quota.
• Nurture relationships with outside industry contacts, and networks with existing multi-unit franchisees, restaurant professionals, entrepreneurs, developers, private investors, and high-net-worth candidates.
• Conducts in-person meetings as necessary throughout the sales and recruitment/transfer process and provides acceptable notification to senior leadership regarding their required participation. Representing Taco Cabana and Nick the Greek at industry trade shows, seminars, social events, webinars, networking sessions, speaking engagements, etc.
• Lead new franchisee 'Discovery meetings’ with candidates, which may include in-person meetings with senior leadership, dinners, events, shop and home office tours, presentations, and interviews.

Essential Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Franchise Sales Industry, with QSR experience highly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field highly preferred.
• Ability to think strategically, perform long-term planning, recruit, and generate leads, manage 3rd party agencies.
• Working knowledge of applicable franchise statutes.
• Proven abilities in sales, communication, cross-functional team building, oral and written skills along with time management.
• Must have excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Prior experience in analysis (both quantitative and qualitative).
• Must have intermediate knowledge of Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook applications.
• Working knowledge of standard franchise documents & compliance standards.
• Must display strong analytical and organizational skills and have the ability to identify and implement process improvement strategies with positive business results.
• Must possess a high level of confidentiality to ensure proper handling of sensitive information.
• Strong influence and negotiation skills with the ability to communicate with Senior Leadership. Clear and effective communication across all media with people at various levels, internal and external.

Education and/or Experience:

• BA/BS degree in real estate, business or other related field. Master’s in real estate or MBA preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field highly preferred.
• Self-directed, highly organized and able to effectively manage multiple tasks simultaneously in order to meet strict deadlines.
• Strong customer service ethic
• Positive attitude and teamwork mentality are required!

Language Skills:

• Proficient in English - bilingual English/Spanish a plus
• Must have good written and oral communication skills
• Must have good customer service skills
• Must be able to perceive and react to the needs of others

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, sit, write, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to handle or feel, and also to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 50 lbs.