Senior Real Estate Manager

Position Summary

The Senior Real Estate Manager is responsible for developing and executing the real estate growth strategy for assigned markets and brands. This role leads market planning, site selection, deal negotiations, franchisee support, and portfolio optimization initiatives to achieve the company's development goals. The position partners closely with franchisees, operations, finance, legal, construction, and executive leadership to ensure the successful delivery of new restaurant locations and long-term portfolio performance.

Key Responsibilities

Real Estate Strategy & Development

• Develop and execute market growth strategies aligned with brand expansion objectives.
• Identify and prioritize target markets, trade areas, and development opportunities.
• Conduct market analyses, white-space studies, and competitive assessments.
• Establish annual development pipelines and real estate forecasts.

Site Selection & Approval

• Lead site identification, evaluation, and approval processes.
• Assess demographic, traffic, visibility, access, co-tenancy, and competitive factors.
• Present site recommendations to executive leadership.
• Ensure all proposed locations meet established trade area and site criteria.

Franchisee Support & Development

• Provide strategic guidance throughout site selection and approval processes.
• Participate in franchise onboarding and development planning.
• Ensure franchisees adhere to established real estate standards and approval requirements.
• Assess sites submitted by franchisees.

Negotiations & Transactions

• Lead negotiations of Letters of Intent (LOIs), leases, renewals, amendments, and purchase agreements.
• Partner with legal counsel to mitigate risks and achieve favorable business terms.
• Build and maintain relationships with landlords, brokers, developers, and property owners.
• Structure transactions to maximize long-term profitability and operational flexibility.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Supervise and mentor Real Estate Managers, analysts, and support staff.
• Provide leadership on complex transactions and strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with Operations, Construction, Legal, Finance, and Development teams.
• Present development updates and recommendations to senior leadership.

Portfolio Management

• Monitor portfolio performance and identify opportunities for optimization.
• Lead renewal, relocation, remodel, and rightsizing initiatives.
• Evaluate underperforming assets and recommend corrective actions.
• Support disposition and exit strategies when necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business, Finance, Urban Planning, or related field.
• 8-12+ years of commercial real estate experience, preferably within QSR, retail, or franchising.
• Proven experience negotiating retail leases and development agreements.
• Strong understanding of trade area analysis, site evaluation, and market planning.
• Experience supporting franchise development and multi-unit expansion.
• Excellent financial, analytical, and negotiation skills.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• New restaurant openings.
• Sites approved and secured.
• Development pipeline growth.
• Average deal economics achieved.
• Franchisee satisfaction and support metrics.
• Occupancy cost targets.
• Portfolio optimization results.

Senior Real Estate Manager

Position Summary

The Senior Real Estate Manager is responsible for developing and executing the real estate growth strategy for assigned markets and brands. This role leads market planning, site selection, deal negotiations, franchisee support, and portfolio optimization initiatives to achieve the company's development goals. The position partners closely with franchisees, operations, finance, legal, construction, and executive leadership to ensure the successful delivery of new restaurant locations and long-term portfolio performance.

Key Responsibilities

Real Estate Strategy & Development

• Develop and execute market growth strategies aligned with brand expansion objectives.
• Identify and prioritize target markets, trade areas, and development opportunities.
• Conduct market analyses, white-space studies, and competitive assessments.
• Establish annual development pipelines and real estate forecasts.

Site Selection & Approval

• Lead site identification, evaluation, and approval processes.
• Assess demographic, traffic, visibility, access, co-tenancy, and competitive factors.
• Present site recommendations to executive leadership.
• Ensure all proposed locations meet established trade area and site criteria.

Franchisee Support & Development

• Provide strategic guidance throughout site selection and approval processes.
• Participate in franchise onboarding and development planning.
• Ensure franchisees adhere to established real estate standards and approval requirements.
• Assess sites submitted by franchisees.

Negotiations & Transactions

• Lead negotiations of Letters of Intent (LOIs), leases, renewals, amendments, and purchase agreements.
• Partner with legal counsel to mitigate risks and achieve favorable business terms.
• Build and maintain relationships with landlords, brokers, developers, and property owners.
• Structure transactions to maximize long-term profitability and operational flexibility.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Supervise and mentor Real Estate Managers, analysts, and support staff.
• Provide leadership on complex transactions and strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with Operations, Construction, Legal, Finance, and Development teams.
• Present development updates and recommendations to senior leadership.

Portfolio Management

• Monitor portfolio performance and identify opportunities for optimization.
• Lead renewal, relocation, remodel, and rightsizing initiatives.
• Evaluate underperforming assets and recommend corrective actions.
• Support disposition and exit strategies when necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business, Finance, Urban Planning, or related field.
• 8-12+ years of commercial real estate experience, preferably within QSR, retail, or franchising.
• Proven experience negotiating retail leases and development agreements.
• Strong understanding of trade area analysis, site evaluation, and market planning.
• Experience supporting franchise development and multi-unit expansion.
• Excellent financial, analytical, and negotiation skills.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• New restaurant openings.
• Sites approved and secured.
• Development pipeline growth.
• Average deal economics achieved.
• Franchisee satisfaction and support metrics.
• Occupancy cost targets.
• Portfolio optimization results.