Franchise Business Consultant

International Dairy Queen•St. Louis, MO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ), based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation and Dairy Queen Canada, Inc. IDQ develops, licenses, and services a system of more than 7,800 DQ restaurants in more than 20 countries and is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. The Franchise Business Consultant provides guidance and coaching to franchisees and Operations team members to support company and operational goals. The role uses restaurant operations knowledge and staff resources to advise franchise owners and operators on improving sales, profitability, operating standards, and operating systems while meeting or exceeding customer expectations and complying with IDQ policies and system standards. The consultant builds support among district marketing area (DMA) chairpeople and other franchisee leaders, engages functional experts when needed, and supports other departments as necessary. The consultant implements the Worldwide Operations Business Plan for a district, develops district-wide plans spanning marketing, operations, training, development, and supply chain, and may create business plans with franchise owners. The role advises franchisees on marketing performance, operational execution, financial health, and development, reinvestment, and renewal strategies. It may also support new store openings and ad hoc projects. The US national base salary range is $97,498–$119,435, and the position is eligible for a bonus. Individual pay is determined by job-related skills, work location, and relevant education or experience. Most positions located at the global headquarters in Bloomington, Minnesota, follow a hybrid schedule with three collaboration days per week; additional in-office time may be required for team or project needs. The role requires overnight travel averaging two weeks per month, occasional evening and weekend availability, and travel by automobile and airplane as necessary. Employees must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, restaurant management, or a related field, or equivalent restaurant operations experience.
Four or more years of restaurant management experience (multi-unit or high-volume preferred) and/or franchise operations management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Clean driving record and ability to be insured by the company’s insurance provider.
Thorough knowledge of the restaurant industry; quick-service restaurant experience is preferred.
Thorough knowledge of restaurant operations.
Proficient knowledge of marketing, finance, training, human resources, and development.
Strong organization, attention to detail, and accuracy.
Creative thinking and ability to develop innovative ideas across a variety of business units.
Strong communication skills and ability to clearly explain concepts and programs to varied audiences.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to provide excellent customer service to internal and external clients.
Ability to multitask and prioritize multiple projects and requests simultaneously.
Relationship-building skills and ability to create mutually beneficial relationships with internal and external clients.
Ability to work quickly in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
ServSafe certification.
Ability to communicate by telephone and email frequently (more than four hours per day).
Ability to travel overnight for franchisee and staff meetings or visits, averaging two weeks per month, and to travel by airplane as necessary.
Ability to drive an automobile for franchisee and staff meetings or visits.
Ability to sit in a vehicle for up to eight hours per day when traveling.
Ability to stand on concrete or tiled floors for up to eight hours per day when visiting a franchisee location.
No food or beverage allergies that would prevent tasting products or working in and around a Dairy Queen restaurant environment.
Authorization to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Multi-unit or high-volume restaurant management experience.
Quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry experience.

Responsibilities

Provide guidance and coaching to franchisees and Operations team members to achieve short- and long-term company and operational goals.
Advise franchise owners and operators on improving sales, profits, operating standards, and operating systems while maintaining or exceeding customer expectations.
Ensure compliance with IDQ policies and system standards.
Gain and maintain support from DMA chairpeople and other key franchisee leaders in achieving operational goals.
Engage functional experts when needed and provide support to other functions as needed.
Implement and execute the Worldwide Operations Business Plan for a district, including its rolling one-, two-, and three-year plans.
Develop and implement district-wide business plans covering marketing, operations, training, development, and supply chain.
Where appropriate, establish and implement business plans with franchise owners, including specific goals and strategies aligned with ADQ’s Operations and Marketing Plan.
Advise franchisees on marketing performance through partnerships with appropriate departments, vendors, and franchisees.
Help franchisees consistently achieve goals for shift management, food safety, quality, service, cleanliness, repair and maintenance, and atmosphere.
Provide advice and counsel to support franchisees’ financial health.
Partner with appropriate ADQ staff to help new and existing franchisees develop and execute development, reinvestment, and renewal strategies.
Support other departments or functions as needed, assist with new store openings as required, and complete ad hoc projects.
Travel to franchisee and staff meetings or visits, including overnight travel averaging two weeks per month.
Be available for occasional evening and weekend work as needed to meet franchisee business needs.