Director of Strategic Franchise Initiatives

SLIM CHICKENS•Fayetteville, AR

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This role leads and coordinates all projects related to franchisee and company growth and profitability including but not limited to: EBITDA, Cost Controls, Labor Efficiencies, Team Member Retention, and Revenue Growth. The Director of Strategic Franchise Initiatives will lead projects that pertain to franchisee and company restaurant profitability, design and lead testing and exceptions processes, and work with equipment packaging and layout. This role will also develop tools and resources for franchisees to benchmark financial and operational performance, conduct financial deep dives and profitability audits, and build reporting dashboards and KPI trackers. Additionally, the role will manage cross-functional projects focused on simplifying operations and improving margins, partner with Supply Chain, Training, and Marketing on systemwide initiatives, and serve as a liaison between franchisees and internal departments. The position also involves collaborating with HR and Training on initiatives focused on team member retention and engagement, analyzing labor models and scheduling strategies, and supporting the rollout of technology solutions aimed at labor efficiency. Communication and change management are key, including preparing system updates and developing change management plans. The role also identifies revenue-driving opportunities, supports franchisees in evaluating new unit growth, and partners with Real Estate and Development teams. The Director must have a thorough understanding of Slim Chickens' established operating systems and perform other duties as necessary.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred
2-3 years in restaurant or project management role
2 + years Data Analytics background a plus
Experience working in a franchise organization
Strong organizational, problem solving, and analytical skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce internal documents, presentations, training workshops, collateral materials, and field communications
Demonstrates a consultative approach in working with franchisees, area directors, managers, team members and Corporate Support Team
Service oriented, Guest First
Strong interpersonal skills and a brand champion
Excellent restaurant operational knowledge
Microsoft Office Suite, Power Point, Excel
Laptop computer, Tablet, iPhone, Projector, webinar/online meeting platforms
Learning Management System

Nice To Haves

Data Analytics background a plus

Responsibilities

Lead projects that pertain to franchisee and company restaurant profitability.
Design and lead our testing and exceptions process.
Work with and optimize our equipment packaging and layout.
Develop tools and resources for franchisees to benchmark financial and operational performance.
Conduct financial deep dives and profitability audits with franchisees.
Build reporting dashboards and KPI trackers to monitor operational health and profitability.
Support onboarding of new franchisees regarding profitability playbooks and startup guidance.
Manage cross-functional projects focused on simplifying operations and improving margins.
Partner with Supply Chain, Training, and Marketing on systemwide initiatives that impact profitability.
Lead continuous improvement reviews to streamline workflows and eliminate operational waste.
Serve as a liaison between franchisees and internal departments to ensure alignment on profitability objectives.
Collaborate with HR and Training on initiatives focused on team member retention and engagement.
Analyze labor models and scheduling strategies to maximize productivity while managing costs.
Support the rollout of technology solutions aimed at labor efficiency (e.g., scheduling software, AI forecasting tools).
Prepare system updates, newsletters, and toolkits related to profitability programs.
Develop change management plans for major operational and profitability initiatives.
Ensure consistent and transparent communications to franchisees during system rollouts.
Identify revenue-driving opportunities across the system, including upselling, menu mix optimization, and daypart strategies.
Support franchisees in evaluating and executing new unit growth opportunities.
Partner with Real Estate and Development teams to analyze potential new markets and unit economics.
Collaborate on remodeling, rebranding, and prototype initiatives that drive guest traffic and franchisee returns.
Has a thorough understanding of Slim Chickens' established operating systems (e.g., quality, security, office environment, company policies, safety) and recognizes the responsibility to stay updated on these systems and the role this position plays in supporting them.
Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives.