SUMMARY

This role is based in Toronto and will lead a team that provides consulting support to franchisees and master licensees on sales & profit growth, business operations, development, including new deals,  license renewals and transfers, across all existing and new brands. This individual is ultimately responsible to develop and achieve annual operating plans and influence franchisees and licensees to optimize their profitability, growth and customer experience and loyalty. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 
Works directly with franchisees and senior management to: 

• Protects Inspire Brands interests and provides strategic direction and consulting to achieve our market vision and delivery of our financial and growth commitments. 

• Develops and nurtures relationships with franchisees, licensees and strategic vendors to achieve regional sales, growth and profitability targets. Evaluates franchisees and/or licensees’ objectives and provides solutions that generate add-on sales and profits. Understands and differentiates growth levers for the brand and recommends the deployment of specific strategies and tactics to drive growth across territories and targets both regionally and nationally. 

• Delivers direct consulting support to franchisees and/or large operators to maximize sales and profits performance, market expansion and development growth, successor license obligations, renewals, transfers and multi store agreements (MSAs) and/or Master Franchise Agreements (MFAs). 

• Manages and supervises Business Consultants, Operations Managers, International Business and Field managers to evaluate and implement effective and best-in-class business and management practices for the entire system. Periodically reviews current practices and recommends changes where appropriate. 

• Leads business and operations planning and execution. Works directly with Field Marketing, Supply Chain, Development, Operations System, Filed Learning, IT, Culinary and Training teams to accelerate growth while ensuring business and execution plans are place in order to deliver or exceed annual system sales and financial growth targets. 

• Monitors and analyzes regional and key country performance data to determine opportunities for growth and to provide direction on investment returns, operating efficiency and improved customer service. 

• Provides inputs and direction in all Business Development activity to ensure that new restaurant growth and remodel obligations are achieved. This includes Real Estate and Construction, Business Development Committee and underperforming franchisee restaurants. 

• Ensures system alignment and growth through the implementation and execution of system initiatives and business growth opportunities by assisting key Franchisees/Licensees and their senior operations leaders.

• Provides input and coordinate resources from Field Training and Ops Services Group in the areas of operations and brand standard reviews and assessments, as well as new product rollouts, equipment and system initiatives. 

• Actively manage the integrity of the default process up to and including license termination. 

• Develops annual operating plan and budget in line with our bigger strategic objectives, prepares monthly/quarterly forecast updates both financial and development. Reviews and summarizes 
  business data for senior management reporting and discussion. 

• Plans and manages business unit processes and practices to ensure programs are aligned with company business goals and objectives. 

• Prepares, communicates, and educates client groups and team on changes in policies and practices 
  within Inspire Brands. 

• Builds a high-performance team and fosters a culture based on Inspire Brands values. Constantly develops, retains and elevates talent. 

• Drives team commitment and engagement around shared goals and values. Sets, articulates, and enrolls others around a compelling vision. Motivates individuals and teams beyond current scope of influence. Maintains effective two-way dialogue to ensure team is engaged and informed. Translates organizational goals into challenging individual performance goals and success measures. 

• Leads organizational changes that strengthen the company and our ability to accelerate growth. Creates and enables a culture of responsibility, ownership and accountability to accelerate growth. 

• Recognizes and celebrates the contributions and achievements of others. 

• Ensure the effective use of G & A expenses and that totals are at or below AOP targets. 
   

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

• Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree in Business or other related fields of study. 

EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION

• 10 to 15 years of extensive and formal QSR, Fast - Casual, Casual dining, food service business development and management experience. 

• Ideally experience from top-tier QSR and retail companies, managing multiple brands and retail formats. 

• Good working knowledge of financial management, franchising, development, and sales & marketing. 

• Experience in managing franchisees and corporate own stores. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS or ABILITIES 

• Strong business acumen on business operations, marketing, sales and supply chain. 

• Excellent problem-solving mediation and negotiation skills. 

• Entrepreneurial approach towards new initiatives and business development. 

• Excels in relationship and stakeholder management. 

• Experienced with managing a matrix organization. 

• Ability to select, engage, manage, and develop a best-in-class team. 

• Knowledge and sensitivity to cultural differences within assigned region. 

• Knowledge of French is a plus.

 

Inspire is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 33,000 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC restaurants worldwide.

We’re made up of some of the world’s most iconic restaurant brands, but we’re much more than just a restaurant company. We’re a team of hundreds of thousands who individually and collectively are changing the way people eat, drink, and gather around the table. We know that food is much more than a staple—it’s an experience. At Inspire, that’s our purpose: to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences.