Franchise Development Manager
Aroma Joe's Franchising LLC
- Scarborough, ME
- $60,000-75,000 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Manage franchise lead engagement from initial contact through franchise agreement signing.
- Organize, prepare, and help conduct monthly Discovery Days, with applicable follow up.
- Guide candidates through the Discovery Process, explaining our business model and offering-ensuring strong brand alignment, cultural fit, financial viability, development timelines, market opportunity, training, support, and expectations-while adhering to all applicable franchise disclosure regulations.
- Support candidates in exploring and evaluating their financing solutions, connecting with lenders when necessary.
- Collaborate closely with the legal and accounting teams while taking candidates through the franchise or area development agreement signing process, coordinating with other departments when necessary.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date lead status and communication history in CRM (e.g., FranConnect), and regular pipeline reports.
- Act as the main liaison for franchisees from agreement signing through lease execution.
- Educate franchisees on Aroma Joe's real estate criteria and development process.
- Partner with franchisees and their real estate brokers – along with our location analytics platform, self-guided research, and in-person market visits – to review proposed sites.
- Connect with developers and other real estate professionals at industry and networking events, as needed.
- Coordinate with internal Site Review Committee for evaluation and approval.
- Assist in LOI and lease process, collaborating with legal, construction, and operations.
- Follow up with all lead inquiries in assigned territories via email, call, and text within 24 hours.
- Evaluate financial capabilities, operational alignment, and cultural fit of candidates.
- Nurture qualified candidates through the sales funnel, from initial call to signed agreement.
- Ensure and maintain compliance with federal and state-specific franchise regulations.
- Work closely with franchisees after signing to identify and assess viable sites using a combination of tools and methods, including location analytics platforms, site visits, lease plan reviews, real estate listings, etc.
- Present viable sites for internal review, communicating feedback and next steps to franchisees.
- Support franchisees through lease negotiation, collaborating with legal to ensure lease terms align with brand requirements and offer long-term viability.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date pipeline reports and provide regular updates on sales activity, deal pipeline, real estate and development milestones, and shop openings.
- Assist with or lead projects directly or peripherally related to franchise sales and shop development, including, but not limited to creating, updating, or contributing to marketing materials, webinars, articles, trade show collateral, as well as internal presentations, reports, or platforms as needed.
- Help coordinate and exhibit at or attend industry events throughout the year.
- Maintain and track franchisee activity and information for annual FDD updates.
- Work with the Franchise Development Director to identify and prioritize growth markets based on white space, saturation, growth goals, and competitor footprint.
- Assist with regional growth plans and logistics (multi-unit development, territory protection).
- Identify and communicate essential insights related to lead quality, pipeline activity, deal flow, market dynamics, growth targets, challenges, wins, and achievements.
- Meet or exceed established goals and KPIs.
- Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
- 3+ years of experience in franchise or consultative sales, especially in the QSR or food and beverage sector.
- Familiarity with or understanding of commercial real estate and/or site development.
- Previous experience with site selection; working knowledge of trade areas, location characteristics, and lease terms a plus.
- Excellent communication skills, strong follow-up and follow-through, pipeline and people management.
- Appreciation for accurate and data-driven reporting, expertise desired, willingness to learn required.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint).
- Experience working with CRM platforms, GIS technology (FranConnect and Placer.ai a plus).
- Flexible and proactive with the ability to work cross-functionally and meet deadlines.
- Enthusiasm for positively impacting people while driving growth in a dynamic industry and environment.