About this role
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)%