The Franchise Business Director (FBD) is a strategic operations leader responsible for driving business performance, franchise growth, and operational excellence across an assigned territory. This role leads and develops a team of Franchise Business Consultants (FBCs) who support approximately 300–500 franchised restaurants and partner with franchise owners to achieve sustainable sales growth, profitability, and exceptional guest experiences.
As a trusted coach and business advisor, the Franchise Business Director works collaboratively across Operations, Development, Marketing, Learning & Development, Real Estate, Construction, Finance, and other cross-functional teams to help franchisees achieve their business goals while strengthening the Marco's brand.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Lead, coach, mentor, and develop a team of approximately 3–5 Franchise Business Consultants, fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture.
- Establish clear performance expectations and manage the performance and professional development of direct reports through the Management by Objectives (MBO) process.
- Identify development opportunities and provide ongoing coaching to strengthen leadership, consulting, and business management capabilities.
- Partner with Franchise Business Consultants, Area Representatives, and franchisees to develop and execute annual business plans aligned with Marco's strategic Key Results.
- Conduct annual Area Representative business reviews, evaluating performance against goals and franchise development commitments.
- Provide strategic guidance on organizational effectiveness, business planning, profitability, restaurant operations, multi-unit management, and franchise growth.
- Assess franchisees' readiness for expansion and collaborate on performance improvement plans where additional development is needed.
- Drive development goals within assigned markets by partnering with Development, Real Estate, Construction, and Project Management teams.
- Support franchise sales activities by participating in the candidate evaluation process and assisting prospective franchisees throughout the path to ownership.
- Champion market growth initiatives while ensuring operational readiness and long-term business success.
- Conduct regular market visits alongside Franchise Business Consultants to evaluate business performance, operational execution, and franchisee engagement.
- Coach franchisees and consultants using operational and financial performance data to improve sales, profitability, and guest experience.
- Support the successful implementation and adoption of company-wide initiatives, programs, and operational improvements.
- Partner closely with Marketing, Local Store Marketing (LSM), Business Insights, Learning & Development, Accounting, Finance, Development, Real Estate, Construction, and other departments to execute strategic initiatives.
- Facilitate collaboration across departments to support franchisee success and achieve territory business objectives.
- Communicate critical business trends, operational concerns, and franchisee issues in a timely manner.
- Analyze business performance, restaurant financials, and operational metrics to identify opportunities and develop actionable improvement plans.
- Ensure fiscal responsibility while aligning territory performance with company strategy and Key Results.
- Develop, monitor, and execute territory business plans that drive measurable results.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and directly related experience.
Required Experience:
- 8–10 years of progressive leadership experience required.
- Minimum of 5 years of franchise operations experience supporting 50 or more restaurants.
- Multi-unit restaurant, franchise, or QSR experience strongly preferred.
- Proven success leading teams, driving operational performance, and supporting business growth.
Critical Competencies:
- Demonstrated leadership, coaching, mentoring, and team development skills.
- Strong listening, negotiation, and influencing abilities with a proven ability to build trusted partnerships.
- Thorough understanding of franchise operations and the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) industry.
- Ability to interpret financial statements, including Profit & Loss (P&L) reports, and translate insights into actionable business strategies.
- Strong analytical, organizational, strategic planning, and project management skills.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.
- Ability to analyze multiple data sources, identify trends, and develop effective action plans.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent relationship-building, conflict resolution, and change management skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word.
- High level of professionalism, integrity, accountability, and sound judgment.
- Commitment to Marco's culture and values with the ability to lead through influence and collaboration.
Travel Requirements:
- Approximately 50% travel required.
- Valid driver's license required.
- Ability to travel via commercial airline.