- Create, maintain, and execute brand-specific market plans for existing and future store growth.
- Own market strategy and mapping within Sitewise or other GIS platforms, including proposed and sold trade areas, rights of first refusal, development territories, competitive locations, and potential sites recommended by the Real Estate team.
- Analyze proposed trade areas and site locations using demographic, competitive, store-performance, financial, and other market variables.
- Prepare clear findings and supporting analysis for Real Estate Committee packages, development planning, and other business decisions.
- Assess the existing store portfolio to identify trends, opportunities, and risks; present findings and recommend actions that support profitable growth.
- Develop and monitor strategic market-planning initiatives, measure progress against established goals, and connect market strategy to financial plans and business outcomes.
- Serve as a liaison between Real Estate and Franchise Sales by providing clear visibility into available trade areas, site opportunities, and market priorities.
- Validate site and trade-area information during the franchise sales process before franchise document execution.
- Maintain and audit store, site, trade-area, and market data to ensure accuracy and consistency across reporting and analysis.
- Become a subject-matter expert in Sitewise; train and support users, resolve system-related issues, and promote consistent use of mapping and forecasting tools.
- Build productive cross-functional relationships, identify and mitigate risks, and recommend process improvements that strengthen development execution.
- Complete ad hoc analyses and strategic projects by leveraging store data, financial information, and other key performance metrics.
- Travel with the Real Estate team, as needed, to evaluate proposed trade areas, sites, existing stores, and competitive locations.
- Perform other duties as assigned and comply with all corporate policies and procedures.
The Manager, Real Estate Market Planner supports profitable unit growth by translating market, demographic, store-performance, and financial data into clear real estate strategies and recommendations. This role owns and maintains brand-specific market plans and mapping within Sitewise or other GIS platforms, evaluates proposed trade areas and site opportunities, and provides business intelligence that guides development decisions. The position partners closely with Real Estate, Franchise Sales, Development, and other cross-functional teams to align market strategy, communicate available growth opportunities, maintain accurate data, and improve decision-making throughout the development process.
- Associate degree in Business, Real Estate, Analytics, or a related field required.
- Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business, Analytics, Geography, or a related field preferred.
- Five or more years of relevant experience in retail real estate, market planning, analytics, development, strategic planning, or a related field preferred.
- Experience with multi-unit retail, restaurant, franchise, or consumer-location strategy is a plus.
- Hands-on experience with GIS mapping, demographic analysis, market forecasting, and portfolio analytics preferred.
- Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to develop descriptive and predictive analyses and translate complex information into actionable recommendations.
- Data-oriented approach with the ability to interpret, summarize, and synthesize demographic, operational, financial, and market information.
- Strong understanding of retail real estate principles, trade-area dynamics, site selection, portfolio performance, and market strategy.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and proficiency in PowerPoint; knowledge of GIS mapping software required, with Sitewise experience preferred.
- Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate clearly with technical and nontechnical audiences.
- Strong organization, time-management, and prioritization skills, with close attention to detail and data accuracy.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, manage multiple projects, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced, changing environment.
- Ability to collaborate effectively, build productive relationships at all levels of the organization, and influence decisions through sound analysis.
- Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, a sense of urgency, and a continuous-improvement mindset.
May be required to travel up to 25% of the time