Franchise Operations Manager

Sonny's Franchise Company•Winter Park, FL

About The Position

The Franchise Operations Manager partners with Sonny’s BBQ franchisees by providing strategic guidance, operational support, and performance coaching. The role supports a defined unit count in an assigned territory and works to maintain brand consistency, improve profitability, and drive long-term growth throughout the franchise network. It evaluates restaurant performance, analyzes financial and market data, supports franchisee business decisions, and communicates franchisee feedback and performance insights to leadership. The position supports restaurant operations, marketing, training, technology, food safety, and brand standards. It works with franchisees to address performance barriers, improve guest experience, adopt best practices, and implement corrective action plans. The manager also supports new restaurant openings and remodeling projects, training and retraining, and franchise agreement and contract renewal activities. Travel is required, with the role in the field 80% of the time and travel by car and plane. Store work involves prolonged standing, frequent movement and interaction, exposure to restaurant equipment, cleaning chemicals, smoke from a wood-burning cooker, wet or humid conditions, and temperatures ranging from 0°F to 100°F. Office work takes place in a well-lit, open environment with usually moderate noise; work may occasionally involve deadline pressure.

Requirements

At least 10 years of restaurant or franchise operations experience.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Knowledge of the Sonny’s brand, restaurant industry, and restaurant operations.
Fluency in P&L and unit economics.
Familiarity with POS and reporting or business intelligence tools.
Ability to translate company vision and strategy into clear operational actions.
Strong communication, interpersonal, teamwork, negotiation, and persuasion skills.
Strong problem-solving, judgment, critical-thinking, analytical, listening, reading, writing, math, and reasoning skills; detail-oriented.
Strong business and financial acumen, including data analysis, action planning, benchmarking, and stakeholder recommendations.
Demonstrated strength in operational competencies, people development, and guest relations.
Demonstrated experience leading, motivating, holding accountable, directing, and achieving target results in a franchise system.
Demonstrated flexibility and urgency in prioritizing and organizing projects.
Ability to work independently and cross-functionally and manage multiple projects with sensitive deadlines.
Ability to maintain composure and objectivity in challenging situations and build and maintain strong relationships.
High drive, urgency, and initiative in a fast-paced, changing environment; demonstrates integrity, professionalism, dependability, flexibility, and adaptability.
Ability to anticipate guest and business needs and comply with applicable regulations and company safety policies.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and restaurant software programs.
Reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, a good driving record, and required insurance coverage.
Ability to meet the physical demands of store and office work, including prolonged standing, frequent movement, and lifting or moving items up to 75 pounds occasionally.
Ability to travel in the field 80% of the time, including by car and plane.

Nice To Haves

ServSafe Manager certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Support a defined unit count within the assigned franchise territory.
Inspire franchisees to improve top-line revenue and bottom-line profitability.
Collaborate with franchisees to identify performance barriers and develop growth plans across operations, marketing, training, and technology.
Promote and influence cultural initiatives that align franchisees with company values.
Evaluate operational performance of franchise-owned locations, implement best practices, and recommend strategies to improve sales and efficiency.
Analyze key business metrics for assigned franchise locations, identify challenges and opportunities, and provide insights to leadership as needed.
Conduct financial and market analysis to identify areas for improvement.
Ensure franchisee compliance with Standard Operating Procedures and develop corrective action plans as necessary.
Work with underperforming franchisees to improve guest experience and alignment with company standards.
Follow up with franchisees on Brand Standard and Food Safety Audits and document key conversations.
Communicate new programs and initiatives, secure franchisee buy-in, and provide feedback to leadership.
Support new restaurant openings and remodeling projects.
Oversee training initiatives, assess effectiveness at each location, and report findings to the Leadership team.
Facilitate retraining for franchisees, General Managers, and restaurant teams as needed.
Share and encourage adoption of best practices among franchisees.
Support franchisees in critical business decisions, including potential ownership transitions.
Assist with contract renewals and franchise agreements.
Perform additional duties as assigned.