Franchise Development Director

SLIM CHICKENS•Fayetteville, AR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We’re not just another chicken joint—we’re one of the fastest-growing brands in the game, built on hand-made food and bold ambition. At Slim Chickens, every tenderloin gets the royal treatment: brined, buttermilk-soaked, hand-breaded, and cooked fresh to order. That same care and craft goes into how we grow our people. If you’ve got hustle, heart, and an entrepreneurial spark, this is the place to prove yourself and shape your career. Our team thrives on real connection—working fast, thinking big, and building something that makes an impact every day. Here, you’ll be trusted to make decisions, empowered to own your work, and part of a crew that’s taking this brand to the next level. Slim Chickens is growing fast. The only question is—are you ready to grow with us? Slim Chickens is continuing its rapid growth, and we’re looking for a Franchise Development Director to help drive expansion across both traditional and non-traditional channels. This role is ideal for a highly motivated dealmaker who thrives on building relationships, closing franchise agreements, and scaling a high-growth brand.

Requirements

Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and influence prospects at all levels.
Strong negotiation and closing skills with a results-driven mindset.
Strategic thinker with the ability to align individual deals with broader brand and market growth objectives.
Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple prospects and projects simultaneously without losing attention to detail.
Clear and confident communicator, both written and verbal, capable of representing the Slim Chickens brand professionally in all interactions.
Self-motivated and entrepreneurial — comfortable working independently while collaborating cross-functionally.
Analytical approach to evaluating market potential, franchisee financial qualifications, and development opportunities.
3–5 years of experience in franchise development, business development, sales, or a related field with a demonstrated track record of closing deals and driving growth.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Proven ability to manage a full sales cycle from prospecting through contract execution.
Experience working with CRM platforms to manage pipelines, track leads, and report on activity.
Familiarity with FTC franchise disclosure requirements and applicable franchise regulations.
Willingness to travel as needed to attend trade shows, Discovery Days, and prospect meetings.

Nice To Haves

Experience with non-traditional venue development or licensing agreements

Responsibilities

Lead franchise sales efforts end-to-end — from brand building and lead inquiry through evaluation and finalization of franchise development agreements.
Serve as Slim Chickens’ subject matter expert to prospects on brand, culture, values, and operating processes.
Generate and manage new leads through digital channels, media, trade shows, networking events, third-party sourcing, and personal connections.
Vet potential franchisees to ensure alignment with Slim Chickens’ system requirements and culture; align development aspirations and capital capabilities with market holding potential to achieve mutual growth goals.
Guide candidates through the full screening process, including interviews, financial approvals, and Discovery Days.
Manage leads and follow-up tasks using the CRM system and established processes.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with prospects to keep them engaged and moving forward in the decision-making process.
Execute strategic growth initiatives to expand the Slim Chickens brand, collaborating cross-functionally with market planning and real estate teams to ensure development agreements align with market potential and long-term growth objectives.
Oversee transition projects, where applicable, from start to finish within the timelines established by the franchise agreement.
Assist current owners in identifying qualified buyers for their restaurant(s) as needed.
Leverage expertise in non-traditional venues — including airports, travel centers, colleges and universities, military bases, and retail centers — to identify, structure, and secure partnerships with multi-unit operators, institutional partners, and specialized development groups, including negotiating licensing and concession agreements.
Manage relationships with external contractors and specialized partners to source, develop, and secure non-traditional franchise opportunities.
Maintain compliance with all applicable regulations, including Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines governing franchise sales.
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.