DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE

Mendocino Farms•Plano, TX

1d•Remote

About The Position

The Director of Real Estate is a strategic leader responsible for spearheading the physical expansion of our restaurant brand in designated existing and new markets; however, primarily focused on the Eastern and Central regions of the country. You will identify high-potential markets, secure premium locations, and manage our existing property portfolio and aggressive market entry as we continue our expansion as a national brand. This role sits at the intersection of data-driven analytics and relationship-based negotiation, ensuring that every new store aligns with our brand identity and financial goals. You must have a demonstrated ability to work in ambiguous and fast-moving environments while successfully collaborating with cross-functional partners and external brokers and landlords.

Requirements

8–10+ years in commercial real estate, specifically for fast-paced growth brands within the restaurant and/or retail sectors.
Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business, or a related field.
A proven track record of negotiating complex leases in competitive urban and suburban markets in the Eastern and Central U.S.
Experience with site-selection software (e.g., Kalibrate, Placer.ai, or similar GIS tools).
Strong existing relationships with both local and national landlords and the brokerage community. Strong references from both landlords and brokers will be required.
Ability to travel frequently to evaluate potential sites and markets.
Cultivating People
Maximizing Impact
Owning Outcomes
Accelerating Progress
Creating Alignment & Clarity
Navigating Healthy Conflict
Driving Results
Inspiring Confidence

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive multi-year real estate strategy to support aggressive brand expansion in existing and potential new markets.
Use demographic data, traffic patterns, and trade area analysis to identify and vet prime restaurant locations, while thoroughly assessing risk factors, such as, competition, build-out challenges, zoning issues, etc.
Lead the end-to-end process for letters of intent (LOI), financial analysis and lease negotiations, ensuring favorable terms for deal economics and required pro-forma returns, for both new sites and renewals.
Package and present sites for approval by Company’s Real Estate Committee.
Build and manage a high-performing network of external brokers across various markets.
Oversee the health of the existing portfolio, including lease renewals and/or relocations, and property management issues.
Partner with Construction, Design, Operations, Technology and Finance teams to ensure sites are delivered on time and within budget.
Work closely with legal counsel to finalize lease agreements and ensure compliance with the company’s minimum requirements.