Director of Real Estate

Smoothie King•Coppell, TX

20h

About The Position

The Director of Real Estate serves as the market owner for an assigned territory and is accountable for regional development strategy, growth objectives, franchisee progress, and real estate execution. In partnership with Franchise Sales and Development leadership, the Director develops market-level growth plans, identifies opportunities to expand the brand, and advances qualified sites through approval and executed leases. The role combines substantial field travel and relationship development with territory planning, administrative oversight, pipeline reporting, and cross-functional coordination to achieve organizational growth targets. The Director manages the real estate process from site identification through LOI, REC approval, lease negotiations, and execution. This includes assessing site and market economics, guiding brokers and franchisees, negotiating commercial terms, preparing site recommendations, and maintaining accurate territory plans, deal records, and forecasts. The position requires frequent travel within assigned markets, with administrative and strategic work during the remaining time.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of relevant retail, restaurant, QSR, or franchise real estate experience, with demonstrated lease execution results.
Experience managing retail site selection, franchisee or multi-unit operator relationships, and commercial lease transactions.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant professional experience.
Working knowledge of commercial construction, utilities, site delivery, and retail development requirements.
Proficiency in Excel, CRM/pipeline platforms, mapping tools, and real estate analytics.
Demonstrated territory ownership, regional growth planning, site selection, deal sourcing, broker management, and commercial lease negotiation capabilities.
Ability to partner effectively with Franchise Sales, drive franchisee engagement, manage competing territory priorities, and deliver measurable regional growth results.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills across all levels of the organization.
Strong analytical, problem-identification, and problem-solving skills.
Self-starter with the ability to work independently.
Positive, collaborative attitude in high-pressure situations.
High attention to detail while managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work cross-functionally and coordinate communication across diverse teams.
Ability to travel throughout assigned markets 50%–75%, including air travel and driving a vehicle for extended periods; in-state and/or out-of-state travel is required.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with AI-enabled tools, Sitewise or comparable site selection platforms, and FranConnect or similar franchise management systems.
Personal passion for health and fitness.

Responsibilities

Own the assigned territory as its real estate market leader; develop and execute regional market plans, prioritize growth opportunities, and manage progress against store development and lease execution goals.
Partner with Franchise Sales to align territory availability, candidate demand, franchisee readiness, target intersections, and regional growth objectives; support market expansion and strategic development planning.
Serve as the primary real estate contact for assigned franchisees; establish site-search milestones, maintain engagement, and address stalled development activity.
Identify, recruit, assign, and manage local real estate brokers; set expectations for market coverage, site submissions, tours, follow-up, and transaction progression.
Manage a high-volume pipeline from site identification through LOI, REC approval, lease negotiations, and execution; maintain forecasts and proactively remove roadblocks.
Evaluate demographics, traffic, access, visibility, competition, cannibalization, projected sales, occupancy costs, and franchisee investment economics to recommend viable sites and formats.
Lead LOI and commercial lease-term negotiations, including rent, tenant improvements, delivery, signage, exclusives, and other material business terms within delegated authority.
Partner with Legal on lease drafting and revisions; coordinate with Construction, Operations, Franchise Sales, and Development to resolve site and transaction issues.
Prepare complete, accurate REC recommendations and supporting site packages, identifying economics, opportunities, risks, and approval requirements.
Maintain territory business plans, market priorities, deal records, broker activity, milestone dates, documents, and forecasts in company systems; provide regular growth and pipeline reporting.
Meet assigned regional growth and performance objectives for executed leases, REC activity, franchisee progression, deal conversion, cycle time, and forecast accuracy.
Balance field-based market visits, broker and franchisee meetings, and deal sourcing with administrative work, strategic planning, internal meetings, and timely follow-through.
Promote the culture, values, and mission of Smoothie King.