Director of New Center Opennings

Fit Franchise Brands•Manalapan, NJ

2d•Remote

About The Position

The Director of New Center Openings is responsible for launching new franchise locations and ensuring they open strong, operate to standard, and build momentum from day one. This role owns the full opening cycle, from pre-sale through the first 180 days of operation. Success is measured by execution, early performance, and the ability to prepare franchisees to run disciplined, results-driven businesses. This is a field-based role for an operator who is comfortable leading from the front, driving accountability, and working directly with franchisees in high-impact situations.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in multi-unit operations, preferably in a franchise system
Proven experience opening new locations with strong operational and financial outcomes
Strong understanding of sales processes, unit-level economics, and performance drivers
Ability to coach, train, and hold business owners accountable
High level of organization and attention to detail
Strong communication and problem-solving skills
Ability to operate independently and manage multiple openings simultaneously
Willingness to travel 60–75% of the time

Nice To Haves

Experience in fitness, wellness, or service-based businesses
Background working within a franchisor or as a multi-unit franchisee
Familiarity with CRM systems, KPI tracking, and operational reporting tools

Responsibilities

Lead all aspects of the opening process from pre-launch through post-opening stabilization
Coordinate pre-sale activity to build early demand and drive opening readiness
Oversee grand opening execution and ensure a strong Day 1 experience
Ensure locations are operationally ready, fully staffed, and aligned with brand standards
Prepare franchisees to operate their business with a clear understanding of expectations and performance drivers
Ensure readiness across sales, operations, staffing, and member experience
Hold franchisees accountable to timelines, activity standards, and opening benchmarks
Address gaps quickly and drive corrective action
Train franchisees and their teams on sales process, daily operations, and member experience
Provide hands-on coaching to ensure execution is consistent and repeatable
Reinforce standards and expectations through direct observation and feedback
Support new locations through early-stage ramp and stabilization
Monitor key performance indicators including lead flow, sales activity, attendance, and retention
Identify performance issues early and implement solutions
Ensure a smooth transition into ongoing operational support
Continuously improve the new store opening process based on field results
Identify patterns from high-performing openings and standardize best practices
Maintain clear documentation and structure for future openings
Provide regular updates on opening timelines, readiness, and performance
Communicate risks, delays, and issues early
Deliver clear, concise reporting to leadership on outcomes and opportunities