Retail Franchising Director jobs in Chicago, IL

Earn up to $120k per year bonus! 

Potbelly Sandwich Shops, where Good Vibes and Great Careers are a way of life! Come Build the Potbelly Nation with us.

Potbelly got its start in 1977 as a small antique store that turned into a lines-out-the-door neighborhood sandwich shop.  Before you knew it, we were serving up delicious food in a fun environment at more than 400 shops across the United States.

We continue to wake up every day with one goal: Make people happy through good vibes and delicious craveable food.  Put those awesome ingredients together, and there’s no telling what we’ll cook up next!   

Medical, Dental, Vision, Domestic Partner Benefits, Spouse & Children Benefits, 401k with a match, Flexible Spending Account, Paid Time Off, Incentive Bonus Plan, Paid Holidays, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life/AD&D Insurance, Home office allowance, Cell phone allowance, Internet allowance, mileage reimbursement, AMEX travel card provided.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.

Job Title:  Real Estate Manager

Department/Function: Franchise Development

Location: Field

Reports to: Vice President of Franchise Development

Job Level: Full-Time

Job Band: Manager

Exempt          

Nonexempt     

Travel Requirements: Frequently        

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Support the development of franchise SDAs through all activities and collaboration needed to onboard new franchisees, facilitate/execute the Market Plan, identify real estate, prepare site submissions to present to Senior Leadership for site approval. Has expertise of the real estate environment, competitive landscape, and economic environment to ensure growth targets are achieved. Ability to foster strong relationships with franchisees and ensure timely delivery/opening of shops as outlined in the franchise SDAs. Ability to collaborate and work cross functionally through the Shop Development cycle including Operations, Design and Construction including all activities pursuant to new shops.   

FOCUS

Responsibilities

• Responsibility for onboarding new franchisees, supporting existing developing franchisees, executing the Market Plan, and
• Provide developing Franchisees with necessary tools and templates
• Assist in the sourcing and vetting of brokers to support franchisees (where needed)
• Selection and identification of new sites
• Utilize our milestone and task platform (Franconnect) to ensure successful shop openings and franchise experience.
• Lead collaboration efforts with construction and design teams to effectively and efficiently achieve budgeted shop opening goals
• Develop, Maintain and Manage established relationships essential to the ongoing execution of the development program including brokers, landlords, and stakeholders responsible for the Potbelly Growth Strategy
• Conduct weekly check-ins with developing franchisees/brokers and maintain activity tracker that aligns to defined targets/goals
• Plan and conduct effective in-market visits with Franchisee, broker and added levels of management as necessary
• Lead site approval process, including the sourcing of all materials to present and receive approval from Real Estate Committee. Present potential locations following established analysis and evaluation process.
• Participate in company market planning and real estate strategies to enhance development program processes and performance
• Other duties as assigned.

Traits

• Highly motivated, organized and goal oriented.
• Real Estate market knowledge and insights
• Ability to handle high volume of projects at once
• Strong communication, interpersonal and networking skills
• Process-oriented
• Strong financial orientation and understanding of what drives long-term financial health
• Consensus-builder
• Problem-solver
• Flexible and open to possibilities, feedback, and the need to course correct when needed
• Oriented toward serving others in the organization
• Disciplined

Success Measurements

• Meet or exceed delivery of franchise shops commitments– from lease control to opening – as outlined in the Franchise SDA
• Continually adapting and improving systems/processes that contribute to a rapidly growing franchise organization
• Overall Company Performance

Expectations of the Incumbent

• Decisions and actions that are consistent with our core values
• Focus and dedication to the needs of the organization and franchisees
• Active engagement and involvement with cross-functional teams including thoughtful discussion, fact-finding, analysis and interpretation, and spirited collaboration.
• Active, in-the-field, involvement in the duties of the job and oversight
• Finding great shops as dictated by the Market Plan in primary trade areas with favorable site attributes and deal terms. Manage the Market Plan, but understand Potbelly business knowledge enough to be aware of unique opportunities outside of the plan
• Inform, collaborate and share information with cross-functional teams with respect to market planning and shop development delivering an active pipeline of sites and a disciplined development schedule.
• A desire for success, a willingness to learn, and demonstrate initiative for making Potbelly a place where people take pride, enjoy their daily experience, and contribute to the long-term success of the Company.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS

• Must have the ability/stamina to work a minimum of 50 to 55 hours a week
• Ability to spend 60% of time travelling in identified SDA markets
• Will frequently reach, feel, bend, stoop, carry, finely manipulate and key in data
• Must be able to work in both warm and cool environments, indoors and outdoors
• Must be able to tolerate higher levels of noise from music, customer and employee traffic
• Must be able to engage in problem-solving skills to help identify and solve potential issues in the field
• Must be able to communicate heavily with franchisees and Support Center through telephone, e-mail and in-person communications

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND BEHAVIORS

• Must embrace the company culture and exhibit ‘Good Vibes’
• At least 3-5 years responsibility for retail site selection and lease negotiation in a multi-unit retail environment, preferably within the restaurant industry
• Franchisor-level quick-serve or fast casual restaurant experience preferred
• Bachelor’s degree
• Ability to spend 60% of time traveling
• Deep knowledge of regions with relationship development across the country
• Proven success at supporting shop development in a high-paced growth environment
• Understanding of retail leasing issues and market planning strategies
• Understanding of and experience applying demographic and trade area analytics to market planning and development execution
• Familiarity with retail/restaurant design and construction and understanding of typical components of retail store/restaurant investment