Sr. Associate Manager, Regional Franchise and License Development (KFC)

Who is KFC?

KFC Corporation, based in Plano, TX, is one of the few brands in America that can boast about having a rich, 60-year history of success and innovation. In fact, KFC is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain and a division of Yum! Brands, the world’s largest restaurant company.

About the Job:

The Sr. Assoc. Mgr., Franchise & License Development is responsible for contributing to franchise and license expansion within an assigned territory and non-traditional channel. This role acts as the primary point of contact for all franchise development activities, cultivating relationships with franchisees, licensees, real estate partners, and key stakeholders to ensure timely development results aligned with market plans.

• Region assigned for Franchise Development: Central U.S.
• Channel assigned for License Development: Major Gas Stations & Travel Centers (Travel Center’s of America, Pilot, etc.)

The Day-to-Day:

Franchise Development & Relationship Management

• Act as a single point of contact for franchise development-related activities in the assigned territory and assigned non-traditional channel.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with franchisees, licensees, and real estate partners to influence development and ensure commitments align with market plans.
• Provide ongoing support and guidance to franchisees to ensure successful store openings and adherence to market plans.

End-to-End Franchise & License Development Process

• Support all phases of franchise & license development lifecycle, including market planning, site selection & approval, real estate contract negotiation, permitting, construction, and turnover/grand opening on projects from inception.
• Ensure timely approval and execution of development actions, maintaining accurate forecasting and risk assessments.
• Use project management processes to track progress against milestones and communicate updates effectively (i.e., current projects, forecasted pipeline, etc.).

Compliance & Development Approval

• Ensure all franchise and license development activities are compliant and consistent with all related processes and policies, including KFC Development Approval Committee requirements.
• Support asset reviews and ensure brand compliance for remodels, renewals, and franchise-to-franchise transfers in the territory.

Market Strategy & Analysis

• Contribute to the execution of KFC’s US growth and development strategies by providing market insights, including benchmarking and competitive analysis for priority DMAs and the trade areas within.
• Collaborate on the development of tactics to accelerate growth that align with the US market plan.

Franchise Recruitment, Onboarding, & Closure Mitigation

• Support franchise recruitment efforts to fill strategic brand needs, identifying high-potential candidates for new franchise development or acquisitions.
• Assist in the assessment and qualification of new franchisees, ensuring a seamless onboarding process.
• Support closure mitigation efforts through negotiation and asset replacement initiatives to maintain brand sustainability within the territory.

Non-Traditional (Licensee) Development

• Lead strategies to identify high-potential markets and partners for non-traditional expansion.
• Cultivate relationships with potential licensees and concessioners to build a non-traditional pipeline.
• Serve as a resource for the non-traditional channel, developing cross-functional solutions to unlock growth.

Travel

• Moderate to heavy (30-50%) travel depending on pipeline priorities.

Is This You?

• Education/Certifications
  • BA/BS in business, engineering, real estate, finance or related field required. (Masters or MBA preferred)
• Experience (required)
  • 5 years of experience in development, strategy, finance, market planning, real estate or related experience with demonstrated organizational impact and increasing responsibility in related areas
  • Strong analytical skills and structure mindset
  • Ability to structure and articulate ideas using data-driven approach
  • Sound internal motivation, intellectual curiosity, and a desire to have a large impact
  • Strong influencing, negotiation and sales skills
  • Clear and effective communication across all media (face to face, by phone, in writing) with people at various levels, whether internal or external to the organization, including Franchisees; Ability to partner well with cross functional departments
  • Ability to efficiently manage workload with shifting priorities; Can work autonomously in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment while generating actionable recommendations
  • Ability to think and act quickly and effectively under pressure while maintaining a calm, professional attitude, even in crisis situations
  • Ability to review and understand financial statements and other legal documents
  • High proficiency in MS Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint required
  • Experience in multi-unit restaurant/retail industry, franchise or license (non-trad)
  • Demonstrated proficiency in site selection, trade area analysis, real estate contract negotiating or construction management
  • Knowledge of Power BI, Smartsheet and GIS analytics

Work-Hard, Play-Hard:

• Hybrid work schedule and year-round flex day Friday
• Onsite childcare through Bright Horizons 
• Up to 4 weeks of vacation per year plus holidays and time off for volunteering 
• Generous parental leave for all new parents and adoption assistance program 
• 401(k) with a 6% matching contribution from Yum! Brands with immediate vesting 
• Comprehensive medical & dental including prescription drug benefits and 100% preventive care
• Discounts, free food, swag and… honestly, too many good benefits to name 

Salary Range: ­­$107,800 to $114,030 annually bonus eligibility benefits

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we'll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.

KFC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all dimensions of diversity.  We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other protected characteristic.

KFC is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities or special needs.  

US Job Seekers/Employees - To view the "Know Your Rights" poster, click here: https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal.  You may also access Taco Bell’s Pay Transparency Policy Statement.

Employment eligibility to work with Taco Bell in the U.S. is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for this position.

California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect from you and how we use, sell, and share that information, please see our Privacy Notice for California Employees at https://jobs.tacobell.com/wp-content/themes/jobs.tacobell.com-2024/assets/build/doc/Employee Privacy Notice (TB) (20230701)_2024(11-15-2024)-Final.pdf