Vice President – International Restaurant Development

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

📋 Description

• Take ownership of the international development mandate, focusing on entering new markets and expanding in existing ones.

• Identify and assess brand partners while negotiating development agreements.

• Develop market entry strategies, prioritize pipelines, and create multiyear development roadmaps.

• Keep track of macroeconomic factors, foreign exchange rates, trade barriers, and real estate conditions that influence development choices.

• Discover, evaluate, and manage new international brand partnerships.

• Oversee partner evaluations regarding operational capabilities and financial health.

• Prepare and present franchisee applications and partner recommendations to the Executive Review Committee.

• Cultivate relationships with banks, real estate brokerages, third-party brokers, and industry organizations.

• Lead the company’s participation in international franchise expos and create sales materials and collateral.

• Negotiate development agreements and ensure compliance with franchisee development obligations.

• Collaborate with the Legal team on development, registration, and compliance matters.

• Oversee site selection, approvals, closures, renewals, and franchisee approvals.

• Spearhead design, real estate, site selection, and construction support for international franchisees.

• Manage project execution for initial sites in new markets, ensuring readiness for openings and cross-functional alignment.

• Organize market site visits and prepare site approval reviews based on analysis and market conditions.

• Lead international development finance, assessing franchisee financial health, capital structures, and growth readiness.

• Create business plans, capital plans, and financial models for new franchisees.

• Oversee development-related acquisitions, divestitures, investments, and workouts.

• Assist in the collection of area and store fees across global markets.

• Work in coordination with Concept Development, Marketing, Supply Chain, R&D, and Legal teams.

• Execute special projects as assigned.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree is required, or equivalent education and experience in lieu of a degree.

• A minimum of 12 years of senior-level experience in international restaurant franchising, including development, franchise finance, and M&A transactions.

• Experience in QSR or fast-casual sectors is preferred, ideally across multiple large-scale global concepts.

• Domestic franchising experience is beneficial.

• Background in finance, banking, legal, or transactional roles is advantageous.

• Experience working or residing internationally is helpful.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Capability to influence franchisees and senior stakeholders effectively.

• Strong analytical skills with experience in building and reviewing business plans and financial models related to returns and capital plans.

• Proven sales, negotiation, and deal-making abilities.

• Established network in international franchising.

• Cross-cultural fluency and international awareness are essential.

• Proficiency in a second or third language is preferred.

• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to manage several parallel workstreams under tight deadlines.

• Capacity to work independently and achieve results with minimal oversight.

• Ability to collaborate across a matrixed organization and coordinate cross-functional efforts to completion.

• Familiarity with FCPA and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance standards.

• Willingness to travel frequently, up to 70%, sometimes with short notice.

• Must be able to obtain a passport and necessary visas as required.

• Flexibility to work evenings and occasional weekends across international time zones.

• Frequent communication via telephone and email outside of standard hours.

• Ability to travel by airplane for flights of up to 16 hours and conduct market site visits.

• Must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

🏝️ Benefits

• Eligibility for bonuses.

• Medical insurance coverage.

• Dental insurance coverage.

• 401K matching program.

• Paid time off.

• Volunteer time off.

• Parental leave.