Director of Franchise Development

Director of Franchise Development

Department: Franchise

Reports To: VP of Franchise

FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt

Location: Based in Denver, CO or Remote in Select States

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POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Franchise Development leads the company's franchise growth strategy, owning the full pipeline from prospecting and candidate qualification through deal negotiation, agreement execution, and new franchisee onboarding. This role is responsible for expanding the brand's footprint through disciplined, high-quality franchisee selection while protecting brand standards, unit economics, and long-term system health. The Director partners closely with Operations, Legal, Finance, and Marketing to ensure sustainable, well-supported growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Franchise Sales & Pipeline Management

Develop and execute a franchise development strategy aligned with company growth targets, including target markets, unit growth goals, and ideal franchisee profiles. Build and manage a qualified pipeline of prospective franchisees through referrals, brokers, trade shows, digital lead generation, and direct outreach. Lead candidate qualification, including financial and operational readiness assessments, and manage candidates through discovery, due diligence, and approval.

Deal Structuring & Negotiation

Negotiate franchise agreements, area development agreements, and renewal terms in coordination with Legal and Finance. Present recommendations to leadership/franchise approval committee for new unit awards, multi-unit deals, and territory development plans. Ensure all agreements comply with FDD (Franchise Disclosure Document) requirements and applicable federal and state franchise regulations.

Market & Site Strategy

Partner with Real Estate/Site Selection teams to identify and prioritize target markets and territories based on demographic data, competitive landscape, and existing un