Mgr, License & Regional Fz Dev

KFC•Plano, TX

13d

About The Position

The Mgr., Franchise & License Development drives license expansion across the U.S. and franchise growth within an assigned territory. This role is the primary point of contact for franchise development activities and cultivates relationships with franchisees, licensees, real estate partners, and other stakeholders to deliver development results aligned with market plans. The position owns KFC’s non-traditional growth strategy, identifying promising venues, channels, and partners and creating repeatable partnership and licensing models. It manages partner relationships and the complete non-traditional development process, from opportunity identification and bid responses through contracting, approvals, construction, and opening. The role develops business cases and financial models, ensures profitable and brand-accretive growth, maintains compliance with company policies and brand standards, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to tailor formats, menus, operations, and technology to each venue. The position requires moderate to heavy travel, approximately 30–50%, depending on partner and pipeline priorities. The expected annual salary range is $132,480 to $139,840, with bonus eligibility. Final pay will consider the candidate’s location, experience, and other job-related factors.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, real estate, finance, or a related field.
At least 8 years of experience in development, strategy, finance, market planning, real estate, or a related field, with demonstrated organizational impact and increasing responsibility.
Strong analytical skills and a structured mindset.
Ability to structure and articulate complex ideas using a data-driven approach.
Strong internal motivation, intellectual curiosity, and desire to have a significant impact.
Advanced influencing, negotiation, and sales skills.
Clear and effective communication in person, by phone, and in writing with people at various levels, internally and externally, including franchisees.
Ability to partner effectively with cross-functional departments.
Ability to manage workload efficiently amid shifting priorities.
Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and generate actionable recommendations.
Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.
Ability to develop financial models for investment and strategic analysis.
Experience in the multi-unit restaurant or retail industry, franchise, or non-traditional licensing.
Proficiency in site selection, trade area analysis, real estate contract negotiation, or construction management.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or MBA.
Knowledge of Power BI, SmartSheet, and GIS analytics.

Responsibilities

Own the non-traditional growth strategy and identify and rank promising venues, channels, and partners for KFC’s non-traditional footprint.
Source, negotiate, and manage strategic partnerships with master concessionaires, contract foodservice operators, travel center operators, venue owners, and other partners.
Develop repeatable partnership and licensing models, including deal structures, formats, and economics, to support portfolio-wide growth.
Track industry trends, competitor activity, and emerging venue types to maintain and grow the development pipeline.
Serve as the primary contact for non-traditional partners and licensees from initial discussions through opening and ongoing performance.
Build senior-level partner relationships and secure multi-unit commitments aligned with the U.S. market plan.
Conduct regular business reviews to monitor performance, renewals, and expansion opportunities.
Manage all phases of non-traditional development, including opportunity identification, RFP and bid responses, contract negotiation, format and design approval, permitting, construction, turnover, and grand opening.
Coordinate with Design, Construction, Operations, Supply Chain, Legal, and Finance on non-traditional formats such as kiosks, food court units, express menus, and limited-footprint locations.
Maintain accurate pipeline forecasts, risk assessments, and milestone tracking, and provide leadership with updates on current projects and future pipeline.
Build business cases for non-traditional deals, including partner economics, royalty and fee structures, capital requirements, and returns.
Ensure deals support profitable, brand-accretive growth and meet KFC Development Approval Committee requirements.
Ensure non-traditional development complies with KFC policies, licensing agreements, and brand standards.
Support asset reviews, renewals, and transfers across the non-traditional portfolio.
Work with Marketing, Operations, and Digital teams to tailor menus, operating models, and technology to each venue type.
Partner with Franchise Development leaders on opportunities for traditional franchisees to operate non-traditional venues in their markets.