Real Estate and New Restaurant Opening Project Manager

THE OPPORTUNITY

Fransmart is a franchise development company specializing in identifying and scaling emerging restaurant and retail brands into national and global chains, with a track record of growing concepts like Five Guys, QDOBA, and The Halal Guys from a handful of units into powerhouse franchises. One of our newest, and fastest growing brands, HB Protein Smoothies is in full-scale national growth mode — targeting 2–3 new franchise locations every month. We're looking for a seasoned Project Manager who has done this before: managed complex franchise build-outs end-to-end, earned franchisee trust, and built the systems that make rapid scaling actually work.

This isn't a coordination role. You'll be the operational authority on every store that opens — the person franchisees rely on, the one who removes obstacles before they become delays, and the executive who gives our CEO real-time confidence in the pipeline. If you've scaled a franchise system and want to own the build-out function at a fast-moving brand, this is your role.

WHAT YOU'LL OWN

•    End-to-end project ownership. Manage timelines, budgets, milestones, and contractor relationships across multiple simultaneous locations — from lease execution through grand opening.

•    Franchisee partnership and authority. Serve as the primary corporate contact on all development matters. You have the authority to make build-out decisions, approve preferred vendors, and escalate when local choices risk brand standards or timelines.

•    Real estate strategy and site acquisition. Project manage market planning, trade area analysis, and site identification across the franchise network — managing broker relationships, conducting site tours, negotiating LOIs and lease terms, and shepherding proposed locations through corporate approval.

•    Scalable systems and playbooks. Build and maintain standardized build-out playbooks, pre-approved vendor rosters, and preferred contractor networks that reduce ramp time for every new franchisee.

•    Value engineering. Drive cost savings — especially through second-generation and retrofit locations — without compromising brand standards. Demonstrate measurable cost reductions over time.

•    Pipeline visibility. Deliver real-time, accurate reporting to the CEO on opening dates, risks, spend, and store-by-store status. No surprises.

•    Bottleneck removal. Proactively identify and resolve delays across permitting, design approvals, contractor scheduling, and equipment procurement.

•    Network intelligence. Capture and share best practices, lessons learned, and preferred vendors across the franchise network to compound efficiency over time.

• Travel. Site visits and key meetings as needed (30–50% national travel).

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE — YEAR ONE

Stores opening on schedule at 2–3/month with measurable cost-per-build improvement quarter over quarter. A functioning playbook and vendor roster in place. Zero CEO surprises on the pipeline.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Required

• Must have 5 years managing franchise store build-outs — not just project management generally
• Demonstrated experience scaling a multi-unit franchise system (10 simultaneous locations)
• Hands-on knowledge of real estate, design, permitting, construction, and equipment procurement
• Track record of delivering on time and under budget with documented results
• Strong franchisee relationship skills — you know how to be a trusted partner, not a corporate obstacle
• Proficiency with project management tools (Smartsheet, Asana, MS Project, or equivalent)
• Proven experience working alongside commercial real estate professionals — including tenant reps, landlords, and site selection teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and coordinate architects, contractors, and subcontractors on behalf of both the franchisor and franchisees, ensuring brand standards, timelines, and budgets are upheld across all parties.
• Willingness to travel 30–50% nationally

Strongly Preferred

• Experience with second-generation and retrofit build-outs
• Prior experience building or formalizing playbooks, vendor programs, or build-out standards for a franchise brand
• Familiarity with QSR or smoothie/beverage concept build-out requirements
• PMP or equivalent certification
• Based in or willing to relocate near Scottsdale, AZ

COMPENSATION

Base Salary: $95,000 – $135,000 annually

Total Compensation (with bonus): $110,000 – $160,000

Bonus Basis: On-time openings, under-budget delivery, documented cost savings

Benefits include health, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO, and full travel reimbursement. Base scales with experience; higher end for California-based candidates.

WHY THIS ROLE

HB Protein Smoothies is a brand on a trajectory — and the person who builds the operational infrastructure for our national expansion will have a direct, visible impact on where this company goes. You won't be managing a process that someone else designed. You'll be building it.