Vice President, Franchise Sales (Remote)

Taco Johns International, Inc.•Minneapolis, MN

38d•$190,000 - $275,000•Remote

About The Position

The Vice President of Franchise Sales is the most senior development leader at Taco John’s, reporting directly to the President and CEO and serving as the enterprise owner of all growth-related functions. This role has full accountability for franchise sales, development strategy, real estate, ensuring Taco John’s expands with discipline, speed, and brand integrity. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the VP/Development shapes the long-term growth vision of the brand, translates strategy into executable plans, and aligns cross-functional partners around profitable, scalable expansion. This leader represents development at the highest level internally and externally, setting standards for decision-making, franchisee experience, and capital stewardship.

Requirements

Deep knowledge of restaurant franchising, real estate, and development economics.
Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and influence across functions.
Strong deal-making, negotiation, and relationship-management skills.
Financial acumen with the ability to evaluate pro formas, ROI, and capital trade-offs.
Strategic thinker who can translate vision into executable plans.
Ability to balance brand integrity with practical, market-driven flexibility.
Clear, confident communicator with franchisees, partners, and executives.
Bachelor's degree in Business, Real Estate, Finance, Construction Management, or a related field—or combination of education and professional experience.
10+ years of progressive experience in restaurant development, franchising, or real estate.
5+ years in a senior leadership role overseeing multi-unit or franchise development.
Demonstrated success leading franchise sales and/or large-scale unit growth initiatives.
Experience managing design and construction for QSR or fast-casual concepts.
High ethical standards and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (MBA or related).
Experience leading development for a national or regional QSR brand.
Background working with both traditional and non-traditional restaurant formats.
Strong understanding of rural, suburban, and small-market development strategies.
Track record of building scalable development processes and teams.

Responsibilities

Own and execute Taco John’s multi-year development strategy, including market prioritization, unit growth targets, and format evolution (traditional, non-traditional, conversions, remodels).
Lead and develop high-performing teams across franchise sales, and real estate.
Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on growth opportunities, risks, and capital allocation.
Lead franchise sales strategy, pipeline development, and deal execution with a focus on high-quality, well-capitalized operators.
Evaluate franchisee candidates for cultural alignment, operational capability, and long-term growth potential.
Structure and negotiate development agreements, ensuring alignment with brand standards and financial objectives.
Oversee site selection strategy, market planning, and trade area analysis to maximize unit economics.
Establish and manage broker relationships; guide franchisees through real estate approvals.
Ensure disciplined use of data, analytics, and market insights in real estate decisions.
Partner with Finance to develop and manage development budgets, ROI models, and pro forma assumptions.
Track and report development KPIs including pipeline health, time-to-open, cost variance, and unit performance.
Continuously improve development processes to reduce friction, cost, and cycle time.
Champion a franchisee-first mindset throughout the development lifecycle.
Collaborate closely with Operations, Training, and Marketing to ensure seamless restaurant openings and long-term success.
Act as an escalation point for complex development issues and risk mitigation.
Actively contribute to a culture of inclusion by valuing diverse perspectives, promoting equity, and creating an environment where all individuals feel respected, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Demonstrate adaptability in a dynamic environment by stepping in where needed, even outside of core responsibilities, to ensure overall success.