Franchise Business Consultant

International Dairy Queen, Inc.•St. Louis, MO

6h•$97,498 - $119,435•Hybrid

About The Position

Provide guidance and coaching to franchisees and the Operations team to achieve short- and long-term company and operational goals. Use restaurant operations knowledge and staff resources to counsel and assist franchisee owners and operators in improving sales, profits, operating standards, and operating systems while meeting or exceeding customer expectations. Ensure compliance with IDQ policies and system standards, build support among DMA chair people and other franchisee leaders, engage functional experts when needed, and support other functions as needed. Implement the Worldwide Operations Business Plan for a district, including its rolling one-, two-, and three-year plans. Develop and implement district-wide plans spanning marketing, operations, training, development, and supply chain. Where appropriate, establish business plans with franchise owners and provide counsel to ensure their goals and strategies support ADQ’s Operations and Marketing Plan. Advise franchisees on marketing performance through effective partnerships with departments, vendors, and franchisees. Help franchisees consistently achieve goals for shift management, food safety, quality, service, cleanliness, repair and maintenance, and atmosphere. Provide advice to support franchisees’ financial health and partner with ADQ staff on development, reinvestment, and renewal strategies for new and existing franchisees. The role may also support new store openings and ad hoc projects. The position requires frequent communication by phone and email, overnight travel averaging two weeks per month, and occasional evening and weekend availability to meet franchisee business needs. Travel may be by car or airplane. When visiting locations, the role may require standing on concrete or tiled floors for up to eight hours per day; driving may require sitting in a vehicle for up to eight hours per day. The employee must be insurable by the company’s insurance provider and able to taste products and work in and around a Dairy Queen restaurant environment without food or beverage allergies that would prevent it.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, restaurant management, or a related field, or equivalent restaurant operations experience.
At least 4 years of restaurant management experience, preferably multi-unit or high-volume, and/or franchise operations management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Clean driving record and ability to be insured by the company insurance provider.
Thorough knowledge of the restaurant industry; QSR 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 wide variety of business units.
Strong communication skills and ability to 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.
Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends as business needs require.
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 or visits, averaging two weeks per month.
Ability to drive for franchisee and staff meetings or visits, potentially sitting in a vehicle for up to 8 hours per day while traveling.
Ability to travel by airplane as necessary.
Ability to stand on concrete or tiled floors for up to 8 hours per day while visiting franchisee locations.
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.
QSR industry experience.

Responsibilities

Coach and guide franchisees and the Operations team toward company and operational goals.
Counsel franchisee owners and operators to improve sales, profits, operating standards, operating systems, and customer experience.
Ensure compliance with IDQ policies and system standards.
Gain and maintain support from DMA chair people and other franchisee leaders in achieving operational goals.
Implement the Worldwide Operations Business Plan for a district.
Develop and implement district-wide business plans covering marketing, operations, training, development, and supply chain.
Establish business plans with franchise owners where appropriate and help ensure plans support ADQ’s Operations and Marketing Plan.
Advise franchisees on marketing performance in partnership with relevant 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 on development, reinvestment, and renewal strategies for new and existing franchisees.
Engage functional experts and support other departments or functions as needed.
May assist with new store openings and complete ad hoc projects as required.