Franchise Development Director
About The Position
Special Strong is an adaptive fitness franchise serving children, adults, and veterans with disabilities. We have 35 operating franchises, 48 sold franchises, and 90 total territories across approximately 20 states. We are adding 3 to 6 new franchises per month and scaling toward 100 operating franchises in 2027. We are looking for a proven Director of Franchise Development who can drive production, strengthen the development process, and help build the systems and team required for continued growth. This leader will play an important role in helping Special Strong scale toward a potential strategic partnership in 2027 or 2028 by building a disciplined, predictable, and less founder-dependent franchise development function. The final scope of responsibility will depend on experience, track record, and leadership capability. You will lead qualified franchise candidates from initial conversations through signed agreements and funding while improving conversion, pipeline discipline, and the overall franchise development process. For the right candidate, this role may also include broader responsibility for strategy, team leadership, forecasting, and overall franchise development performance.
Requirements
- Proven success in franchise development, business development, or consultative sales
- Proven experience personally producing franchise sales
- Strong closing, communication, and relationship-building skills
- Strong sales judgment and ability to guide complex business decisions
- Experience with CRM systems, forecasting, and performance metrics
- High ownership and consistent follow-through
- Willingness to travel as needed
Nice To Haves
- Experience leading or developing a franchise development team strongly preferred
- Experience in fitness, healthcare, education, or service-based franchising is a plus.
Responsibilities
- Lead franchise candidates from qualification through funding
- Conduct discovery calls, presentations, webinars, and validation conversations
- Build strong relationships with candidates and their advisors
- Own pipeline management, forecasting, CRM discipline, and next steps
- Improve conversion throughout the franchise development process
- Partner with marketing to improve lead quality and candidate acquisition
- Strengthen franchise development systems, processes, and reporting
- Build a more predictable and scalable franchise development function
- Coordinate a strong handoff into onboarding
- Help recruit, train, and develop franchise development talent as the team grows
Benefits
- Bonus based on performance
- Competitive salary
- Flexible schedule
- Opportunity for advancement
- Paid time off
- Competitive base salary
- Performance-based franchise commissions
- Additional territory commissions
- Annual performance incentive opportunity
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
No Education Listed
