Job Description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

May perform any or all of the following duties:

• Lead franchise development and new market entry across Europe, with priority markets including the UK, France, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands; spearhead the same for India.
• Support and contribute to franchise expansion initiatives across the Middle East; manage and grow existing pipeline and secure future growth commitments.
• Identify, assess, and secure high-quality franchise partners aligned with long-term brand and commercial objectives.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and development agreements from initial engagement through to execution.
• Build and maintain a strong international network of investors, franchise partners, and strategic stakeholders.
• Conduct market assessments, white space analysis, and partner evaluations to support scalable and sustainable growth.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams across marketing, operations, finance, legal, supply chain, and quality assurance to ensure successful market entry and franchise performance.
• Provide regular market insight, commercial analysis, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Act as a senior representative of the business in external partner and investor engagements.
• Provide value-added advice and influence to enable the growth agendas of existing partners; secure, negotiate, and execute strong development agreements

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS/CORE COMPETENCIES

• Proven experience in multi-unit expansion is essential.
• Strong background in franchise development within QSR is highly preferred.
• Candidates with experience in multi-unit retail or commercial real estate development will also be considered.
• Demonstrated success in international new market entry, particularly across Europe.
• Exposure to the Middle East and/or India markets is advantageous.
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to operate confidently at senior stakeholder and investor level.
• High level of commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to assess deal viability and partner capability.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, comfortable operating in a lean, fast-paced, and growth-oriented environment.
• Willingness to travel extensively across Europe, the Middle East, and India.
• Senior leadership position with significant ownership and influence over international growth.
• Direct exposure to executive leadership and private equity stakeholders.
• Clear progression roadmap into a Chief Development Officer – International role.
• Competitive compensation package including base salary and performance-based bonus.
• Flexible location, with the option to be based in Europe or Dubai.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Satellite office, if available, Home office, field work (restaurants)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Sitting for extended periods of time, using telephone, typing and/or operating a computer and/or mouse
• Travels as needed Internationally, approximately twenty-five (45)%