Regional Director – Operations

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Thailand.

📋 Description

• Provide leadership at the enterprise level for one of the two Canadian franchise regions.

• Drive sales growth, enhance transaction momentum, ensure franchisee profitability, and uphold compliance with company standards.

• Formulate, communicate, and implement rolling one-, two-, and three-year Operations business plans.

• Establish annual performance objectives tied to sales growth, transaction outcomes, and franchisee wellbeing.

• Guide comprehensive business plans integrating marketing, operations, training, development, and supply chain.

• Ensure franchisees create structured annual business plans that include growth commitments, reinvestment priorities, and accountability milestones.

• Monitor progress and track goal attainment.

• Drive marketing performance through collaborations with departments, vendors, and franchisees.

• Serve as the Operations representative in cross-functional problem-solving and growth initiatives.

• Oversee food safety, product approvals, procedures, menu compliance, trademark protection, reinvestments, customer satisfaction, and adherence to company standards.

• Manage the performance and overall health of the regional franchisee portfolio.

• Conduct visits to franchisee stores and districts alongside business consultants.

• Address escalated franchisee issues, including defaults and potential franchise termination decisions.

• Engage with customers and franchisees to reinforce operational and growth expectations.

• Coach, support, and provide guidance to business consultants.

• Oversee franchisee training, professional development, shift management, food safety, quality, service, cleanliness, maintenance, and atmosphere objectives.

• Recruit, develop, and support a high-performing team of Business Consultants.

• Set performance expectations, monitor results, coach employees, implement corrective measures, and acknowledge contributions.

• Remove obstacles and assist staff with daily growth execution challenges.

• Foster a positive and ethical work environment.

• Interview potential and current franchisees for development and expansion evaluations.

• Assess potential real estate locations and provide feasibility insights.

• Offer opinions or approvals on franchisee and real estate suitability for the Development Review Committee.

• Develop the regional operating budget and profit plan.

• Lead cross-functional corporate projects or committees as assigned.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Restaurant Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible relevant experience.

• Minimum of 5 years in corporate franchise management operations.

• Experience in franchise operations and/or restaurant management with direct P&L responsibilities for multi-unit operations across various locations.

• At least 3–5 years of experience managing employees.

• Experience in managing franchise operations professionals is preferred.

• Proven ability to build high-performance teams, set expectations, monitor outcomes, coach employees, and provide constructive feedback.

• Capability to lead teams across different geographic locations.

• Extensive knowledge of the restaurant industry and operations, particularly in QSR.

• Proficient understanding of marketing, finance, and training.

• Experience in creating and managing an operating budget.

• Experience working in a franchisor organization, preferably within a QSR brand.

• Strong operational knowledge of restaurant management.

• Demonstrated success in driving sales and transaction growth within complex, franchised, or multi-unit settings.

• Ability to influence without direct authority and guide franchisees through performance changes.

• Strong business insight and capacity to translate data into actionable priorities and field execution.

• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel; working knowledge of PowerPoint.

• Excellent communication, public speaking, and presentation skills.

• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional departments.

• Ability to multitask, prioritize, make timely decisions, and utilize data for informed decision-making.

• Proven strategic operations leadership capability.

• Highest standards of integrity and professional conduct.

• Willingness to travel approximately 60% of the year.

• No food or beverage allergies that would restrict tasting or working in a Dairy Queen restaurant environment.

• ServeSafe certification.

• Extensive periods of sitting due to business travel by car and airplane.

🏝️ Benefits

• Eligibility for bonuses.

• Hybrid work schedule with three collaboration days each week.

• A culture of inclusion and belonging.

• Opportunities for professional development and training.

• Annual Connect business meetings.

• Travel opportunities throughout the region.