Vice President, Franchise & International Legal

Wingstop•Dallas, TX

About The Position

The Vice President, Franchise & International Legal leads the legal strategy supporting Wingstop’s domestic franchise system and international growth. Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, this hands-on, player-coach provides practical, forward-looking counsel to enable disciplined expansion, protect the brand, strengthen Brand Partner relationships, and manage legal and regulatory risk across a highly franchised business. The role personally leads priority franchise and international matters while developing scalable processes and an operating model. The VP is the primary legal partner to Franchise Development, International, Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, Marketing, Technology, and other business leaders on franchise and cross-border matters. The role combines deep franchise expertise with commercial judgment, translating legal requirements into scalable solutions that support growth while maintaining appropriate standards, controls, and accountability.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
12+ years of progressive legal experience, including significant experience advising franchisors and substantial in-house or embedded business-partner experience.
Deep knowledge of U.S. franchise law and regulation, including franchise disclosure, registration, development agreements, franchise agreements, relationship laws, transfers, renewals, defaults, and terminations.
Demonstrated experience supporting international franchising, master franchise or territory development arrangements, cross-border transactions, market entry, and practical management of local counsel and legal requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
Strong commercial and financial acumen, including the ability to understand growth objectives, evaluate business tradeoffs, and provide clear, risk-based recommendations rather than purely technical legal advice.
Working knowledge of international regulatory issues such as anti-bribery, sanctions, competition, consumer protection, data privacy, intellectual property, and cross-border contracting, with judgment to engage specialists when needed.
Proven ability to lead complex negotiations, resolve sensitive franchise relationship matters, and influence executives and cross-functional leaders in high-stakes or ambiguous situations.
Demonstrated leadership capability, including developing legal talent, managing outside counsel, and building effective partnerships across cultures, functions, and geographies.
Commitment to scalable, technology-enabled legal delivery, including standardized processes, reusable content, workflow automation, data-informed decision-making, and responsible use of AI.
Excellent written and verbal communication and executive presence.
Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

Experience with a restaurant, QSR, hospitality, retail, consumer, or other highly franchised global brand is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Set and lead the legal strategy for Wingstop’s domestic franchise system and international expansion, including market-entry assessment and franchise-model strategy, aligned with the company’s growth strategy, risk appetite, and operating model.
Advise on the full lifecycle of domestic franchise relationships, including franchise disclosure documents, franchise and area development agreements, transfers, renewals, restructurings, defaults, terminations, and other franchise system matters.
Lead legal work for international market entry and growth, including market-entry assessments, master franchise and territory development agreements, strategic development structures, partner due diligence, cross-border negotiations, market-specific legal requirements, and management of local counsel.
Partner with Franchise Development, International, Operations, Finance, Tax, Supply Chain, Marketing, Technology, and other teams to structure commercially sound solutions and identify legal implications early in business planning and decision-making.
Establish a consistent, risk-based approach to franchise governance and enforcement, including development obligations, brand standards consistent with enterprise intellectual property strategy, quality controls, contractual remedies, and responsible management of Brand Partner issues.
Advise on international regulatory and compliance considerations, including competition, consumer protection, advertising, data privacy, intellectual property, and other cross-border requirements; coordinate with Legal and Compliance leaders on global anti-bribery, sanctions, and related compliance-program matters, and engage subject-matter experts and local counsel as needed.
Lead relationship strategy, remediation, and business resolution for franchise and international disputes through clear agreements, disciplined documentation, early issue resolution, and practical counseling; partner with the VP, Legal - Commercial on litigation, investigations, preservation, insurance coordination, and formal dispute strategy.
Partner with Legal Operations to build scalable playbooks, templates, approval standards, knowledge resources, self-service tools, and technology-enabled workflows that improve consistency, speed, and visibility across recurring franchise and international work.
Lead and develop assigned legal professionals and manage external and local counsel to deliver coordinated, high-quality, and cost-effective legal support across jurisdictions.

Benefits

Unlimited paid time off for exempt employees
One paid volunteer day of your choice
Competitive bonus structure for eligible roles
Team member stock purchase plan
Health savings or flexible spending account options
401(k) matching: dollar for dollar on the first 3% and 50 cents on the dollar for the next 2% of team member contributions, up to 5% of eligible compensation
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
Basic life and AD&D insurance provided
Pet insurance
Education assistance
Wellness reimbursement program
Paid maternity and paternity leave
Lunch provided every Tuesday and Thursday in office
Discount on Wingstop gift cards
Onsite game room