Franchise Business Consultant

International Dairy Queen•St. Louis, MO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Franchise Business Consultant provides guidance and coaching to franchisees and Operations teams to help achieve company and operational goals. The role uses restaurant operations knowledge and staff resources to advise franchise owners and operators on improving sales, profits, operating standards, and systems while meeting or exceeding customer expectations and ensuring compliance with IDQ policies and system standards. The consultant builds support among franchisee leaders, engages functional experts as needed, and supports other functions when required. The position implements the Worldwide Operations Business Plan for a district, develops district-wide plans spanning marketing, operations, training, development, and supply chain, and may create plans with franchise owners. It provides counsel to ensure plans have specific goals and strategies aligned with ADQ’s Operations and Marketing Plan. The consultant advises on marketing performance, operational standards, franchisee financial health, and development, reinvestment, and renewal strategies. Additional duties may include supporting other departments, assisting with new store openings, and completing ad hoc projects. The position has a US national base salary range of $97,498–$119,435 and is eligible for a bonus. Pay is determined by job-related skills, work location, and relevant education or experience. The role requires occasional evening and weekend availability, frequent overnight travel averaging two weeks per month, and travel by car and airplane as needed. For eligible employees, benefits may include medical and dental coverage, a 401(k) match, paid time off, volunteer time, and parental leave. Most positions based at the global headquarters in Bloomington, Minnesota, follow a hybrid schedule with three collaboration days per week; additional office time may be required for team or project needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, restaurant management, or a related field, or equivalent restaurant operations experience.
At least 4 years of restaurant management and/or franchise operations management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; multi-unit or high-volume experience is preferred.
Clean driving record.
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 the ability to develop innovative ideas across a variety of business units.
Strong communication skills and the 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 the ability to create mutually beneficial relationships with internal and external clients.
Ability to work quickly in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed to meet franchisee business needs.
ServSafe certification.
Ability to communicate by telephone and email frequently, for 4 or more hours per day.
Ability to travel overnight for franchisee and staff meetings and visits, averaging two weeks per month.
Ability to drive an automobile for franchisee and staff meetings and visits, and to be insured by the company’s insurance provider.
Ability to travel by airplane as necessary.
Ability to sit in a vehicle for up to 8 hours per day while traveling.
Ability to stand on concrete or tiled floors for up to 8 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 restaurant management experience.
High-volume restaurant management experience.
Quick-service restaurant experience.

Responsibilities

Provide guidance and coaching to franchisees and Operations teams to achieve 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.
Build and maintain support from DMA chair people and other key franchisee leaders in achieving operational goals.
Engage functional experts when needed and support 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.
When appropriate, establish and implement business plans with franchise owners, ensuring plans include specific goals and strategies supporting ADQ’s Operations and Marketing Plan.
Advise franchisees on managing marketing performance through partnerships with appropriate departments, vendors, and franchisees.
Help franchisees 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 ADQ staff to help new and existing franchisees establish and execute development, reinvestment, and renewal strategies.
Support other departments and functions as needed.
Assist with new store openings as required.
Complete ad hoc projects as required.