Manager, Portfolio Optimization

Subway•Shelton, CT

About The Position

The Manager, Franchisee Portfolio Optimization is responsible for evaluating franchisee financial health, supporting portfolio optimization strategies, mitigating restaurant closures, and providing business guidance to franchisees throughout their ownership lifecycle. This role works directly with franchisees to assess restaurant performance, develop action plans, negotiate short-term support solutions, and identify opportunities for growth, restructuring, downsizing, or exit. The Manager serves as a trusted business mentor, leveraging financial analysis and market insights to help franchisees make informed portfolio decisions while supporting the brand's long-term development objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Business or related field (or equivalent job-related experience).
3+ years of experience in Development, Strategic Growth, or Project Management, or equivalent job-related experience.
3+ years of restaurant industry experience preferred.
Strong analytical and financial acumen, with skilled problem-solving and data interpretation.
Excellent communication and project management abilities; ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
Self-starter who takes initiative to solve problems with a high degree of detail orientation.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, Smartsheet, Tableau, and CRM software (e.g., FranConnect).
Able to work independently and reliably, as well as within a team, communicating effectively with various stakeholders.
Proven track record managing complex, multiple simultaneous projects independently.

Responsibilities

Conduct financial assessments of individual restaurants and multi-unit-owner portfolios.
Build and maintain pro forma financial models to evaluate restaurant viability and future performance.
Analyze key business metrics including sales, profitability, occupancy costs, labor, debt obligations, royalties, and cash flow.
Identify financial risks and opportunities impacting restaurant sustainability.
Present findings and recommendations to franchisees and internal stakeholders.
Maintain an active pipeline of portfolio health reviews and intervention plans.
Meet regularly with franchisees to discuss restaurant performance, business challenges, and ownership objectives.
Provide guidance regarding Growth and Expansion opportunities; Multi-unit portfolio planning; Restaurant downsizing; Portfolio restructuring and Exit Planning.
Develop customized action plans aligned with franchisee and company objectives.
Track and support implementation of agreed-upon business strategies.
Manage the closure review process for an assigned territory.
Assess alternatives to closure and identify opportunities to improve restaurant viability.
Coordinate with cross-functional partners to evaluate available support options.
Prepare closure recommendations and supporting business cases.
Evaluate requests for short-term financial assistance and closure mitigation incentives.
Build supporting business cases and ROI analyses.
Negotiate short-term assistance agreements with franchisees.
Monitor performance against established support plans and milestones.
Track incentive utilization and outcome metrics.
Partner closely with the Strategic Growth team to identify franchisees pursuing portfolio reductions or ownership transitions.
Facilitate referrals of franchisees interested in selling restaurants or exiting the system.
Provide financial analysis and business performance information to support transition opportunities.
Ensure smooth handoff of qualified opportunities to Strategic Growth partners.
Review trade area dynamics and restaurant performance within assigned markets.
Evaluate offset agreement opportunities and seed point recommendations.
Assess market impacts related to closures, relocations, and portfolio changes.
Partner Real Estate teams to support strategic market planning.
Provide recommendations that balance franchisee success with system optimization objectives.