Sr Director, Real Estate - Arby's & SONIC

Develop and manage team to deliver holistic long term strategic market, asset management and development plans for integrated franchise and company development to maximize profitable growth. Lead the real estate team to accomplish development goals for company and franchise development in accordance with annual and long-term operating plans. Implement the strategic plan for the site selection approval process and lease and contract negotiation for profitable new restaurants.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide leadership to a high performing team of real estate professionals to ensure that new restaurant site pipeline is sufficient to provide approved sites for Arby’s and Sonic to achieve combined corporate and franchise new restaurant opening goals. 

• Provide leadership and guidance related to the approval of new company restaurants, lease renewals, and closures to Inspire CAPCOM.  Ensure that company development is effective and meeting goals, that leases are negotiated within guidelines for all key provisions, and/or adherence to any purchase agreement through to deal completion. Ensure that the team completes deals with any CAPCOM approval contingencies and/or business points fully delivered, or variances reported and approved.

• Provide leadership and communicate with key stakeholders in the Inspire Brands QSR development process including, but not limited to: Vice President Design & Architecture, Vice President(s) of Construction (NROs and Remodels), Senior Vice President Franchising, Vice President of Development Planning, Brand Presidents, Brand COO’s and Vice Presidents of Operations, Support Center Development Team to ensure most effective development of markets.

• Provide coaching, guidance, skill development and leadership to team including Directors of Real Estate and Real Estate Managers (as the case may be) to ensure best practices are consistently attained.  Coach and train on site tours, site selection, negotiations, lease renewals, closures, asset management and franchisee support to ensure best practices and continual improvement of performance.

• Create and lead process improvements resulting in effective strategic market plans for optimum new store development, relocations, remodels and restaurant closings for both company and franchisee development. Ensure plans are regularly reviewed, adapted and improved.               

• Counsel and influence franchisees on new restaurant growth and site selection.  Create, review, continually adapt and improve screening for franchisee site package submittals and forward to relevant Operations and then on to Chief Development Officer for final approval.

• Provide leadership and communications for corporate and franchisee development including leading the team in providing real estate site and trade area surveys supporting new unit openings.  Confirm and update status through various resources including conference calls, meetings, etc. to ensure that timelines are met for all projects.

• Lead real estate company and franchise budgeting and planning.  Primary deliverables include new store planning G&A expense budget and key input for capital planning

• Formulate and manage G&A cost center specific to the QSR Real Estate team (Arby’s and Sonic)

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

• 4-year degree in similar field of study preferred
• Direct experience can be considered in lieu of degree

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS or ABILITIES

• Proven management and leadership experience within a corporate and franchise real estate environment, including new restaurant growth and asset management.

• Proven strategic market analysis and market plan implementation 

• Ability to recruit and retain professional team of deal makers

• Ability to interface and maintain excellent professional relationships with a variety includinges to include franchise partners, internal construction and real-estate function, internal and external ,legal counsel and various other departments

• Excellent oral and written communication skills to include formal presentation development and delivery to up to and including a Board.

• Proven history of successfully achieving store/unit corporate and franchise annual opening plans

• Proven negotiation skills

• Excellent understanding of development finance

 

Inspire Brands is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes nearly 32,000 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC Drive-In restaurants worldwide.

We’re made up of some of the world’s most iconic restaurant brands, but we’re much more than just a restaurant company. We’re a team of hundreds of thousands who individually and collectively are changing the way people eat, drink and gather around the table. We know that food is much more than a staple—it’s an experience. At Inspire, that’s our purpose: to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences.