Vice President of Franchise Development

Smokey Mo's BBQ•Cedar Park, TX

About The Position

Smokey Mo's TX BBQ is a beloved Central Texas barbecue brand known for slow-smoked meats, made-from-scratch sides, and genuine Texas hospitality. Founded in Austin and grown across the Lone Star State, Smokey Mo's has built a loyal following through an unwavering commitment to quality, community, and authentic pit-master tradition. As we enter an exciting new phase of strategic growth, we are seeking a seasoned franchise development executive to lead our expansion and bring the Smokey Mo's experience to guests across Texas and beyond.

Requirements

5+ years of franchise development experience, with at least 3 years in a director-level or above capacity
Demonstrated track record of closing franchise deals and growing a franchise system
Deep knowledge of FDD requirements, franchise law, and compliance best practices
Experience in the restaurant, food & beverage, or hospitality franchise sector strongly preferred
Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
Proficiency with CRM platforms and franchise development technology stacks
Willingness to travel up to 40% for candidate meetings, discovery days, and industry events

Nice To Haves

Experience with Texas-based or regional restaurant concepts
Existing relationships within the FranConnect, FranChoice, or Fransmart broker ecosystems
MBA or related advanced degree
IFA membership and CFE designation a strong plus

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a multi-year franchise development plan aligned with Smokey Mo's growth targets
Identify target markets and trade areas across Texas and key expansion states
Establish annual unit growth goals and report pipeline progress to executive team
Conduct competitive and market analyses to inform strategic territory prioritization
Build and manage a qualified franchisee pipeline through broker networks, trade shows, digital campaigns, and referrals
Lead all franchise sales activities from initial inquiry through execution of franchise agreements
Qualify candidates against defined financial, operational, and cultural criteria
Guide prospective franchisees through the full discovery and validation process
Collaborate with Operations, Training, and Marketing to deliver a best-in-class onboarding experience
Serve as the strategic partner to new franchisees during the pre-opening phase
Ensure new franchisees are fully equipped to uphold Smokey Mo's brand standards from Day One
Serve as primary point of contact for franchisees
Build strong relationships and provide ongoing support
Monitor performance and provide coaching
Ensure compliance with brand standards
Conduct regular business reviews
Resolve issues and support growth opportunities
Own and optimize the franchise development process and tools
Ensure full compliance with FDD disclosure requirements and federal/state franchise regulations
Partner with legal counsel to manage franchise agreements, renewals, and transfers