Digital Software Inc
Website:
digitalsoftwareinc.com
Company:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-software-inc
Seniority: Director
Industries: IT Services and IT Consulting
Job details:
Position Title: Head / Director – Franchise Sales & Business Growth
Department: Retail Operations & Business Development
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) / Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Location: [City, State / Remote with travel]
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Franchise & Retail Expansion to lead the end-to-end setup, scaling, and operational growth of our bakery retail franchise network. In this executive-level role, you will be responsible for defining the franchise expansion roadmap, acquiring high-value franchise partners, overseeing store launches, and driving sustained unit-level profitability and revenue growth across all franchise outlets.
Key Responsibilities
1. Franchise Strategy & Business Development
- Formulate and execute comprehensive retail expansion strategies to scale the bakery brand across target regions.
- Design and refine franchise business models (COCO, FOFO, FOCO) including fee structures, royalty models, investment criteria, and ROI projections.
- Generate, screen, and convert high-caliber franchisee leads through strategic marketing, industry networking, and franchise expos.
- Conduct detailed market feasibility studies and site evaluations to identify high-footfall locations (malls, high streets, transit hubs).
2. Legal, Governance & Partner Onboarding
- Lead end-to-end contract negotiations and finalize Franchise Agreements, Lease Agreements, and Disclosure Documents in coordination with legal teams.
- Onboard new franchise partners, ensuring full alignment with brand values, operational standards, and financial expectations.
- Establish transparent governance mechanisms and reporting cadence with franchise owners.
3. Store Setup & Launch Management
- Oversee the end-to-end store setup process (project planning, kitchen/counter layout design, equipment procurement, branding, and fit-outs) to ensure timely and cost-effective launches.
- Coordinate with central supply chain and culinary teams to ensure seamless delivery of raw materials, central kitchen products, packaging, and point-of-sale (POS) systems.
- Plan and execute grand opening campaigns and hyper-local marketing strategies to build immediate footfall.
4. Operational Excellence & Quality Assurance
- Implement standardized operating procedures (SOPs) for store operations, product display, hygiene, waste management, and customer service.
- Oversee training programs for franchise owners, store managers, and frontline bakery staff to ensure brand consistency.
- Conduct regular audits to maintain strict adherence to food safety, hygiene, product freshness, and brand presentation guidelines.
5. Business Growth & Unit Profitability
- Monitor store-level P&L, sales KPIs, and unit economics to drive revenue growth and profitability across all franchise outlets.
- Develop hyper-local marketing strategies, seasonal campaigns, product bundling, and loyalty programs to boost average order value (AOV) and customer retention.
- Identify underperforming outlets and implement targeted intervention and turnaround strategies.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Network Expansion: Number of new franchise agreements signed and operational stores launched per quarter/year.
- Store Economics: Unit-level revenue growth, gross margins, and payback period targets achieved for franchise partners.
- Audit & Quality Scores: Franchise compliance rates with brand SOPs and food safety standards.
- Partner Retention: Franchise partner satisfaction metrics and low franchisee churn rates.
Qualifications & Experience
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Retail Management, or a related field (MBA preferred).
- Experience: 8–12+ years of leadership experience in franchise development, business growth, and retail operations within the F&B, QSR, or Bakery/Confectionery sector.
- Proven Track Record: Demonstrated experience in scaling a retail brand from a regional presence to a multi-unit regional or national footprint.
Core Competencies & Skills
- Deep understanding of F&B/Bakery retail economics, supply chain dependencies (cold chain, shelf-life management), and store fit-outs.
- Strong deal-structuring, financial modeling, and contract negotiation skills.
- Leadership ability to manage cross-functional teams, external vendors, and multi-location franchise partners.
- Willingness to travel extensively across regional markets for site selection and franchise partner reviews.
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