Franchise Business Consultant

About the role

This role leads Operational Excellence, including Brand Standards, Quality Products, Food Excellence, and Guest Experience. The Franchise Business Consultant supports a group of franchisees to drive sales and profits by leading corporate programs and initiatives such as national promotions, coop leadership, inventory, brand and guest hospitality, and food safety standards.

The position involves conducting regular meetings with franchisees to discuss business performance, set goals, and provide tactics to improve sales, profits, and café operations. It also includes coordinating with on-site teams for new café openings, ensuring adherence to pre-opening activities, and consulting with café management and ownership throughout the process.

Additional responsibilities include conducting operational audits, monitoring progress on improvements, and holding franchisees accountable for operational standards.

Responsibilities

• Champion brand values during all café visits and celebrate teams demonstrating these values.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with franchisees, providing timely coaching and support to enhance franchisee capability.
• Increase sales and revenue by developing relationships with key decision-makers and providing consultative solutions to drive performance.
• Provide ongoing business consultation, including face-to-face quarterly business reviews, linking decisions to results.
• Improve franchise operations by focusing on café profitability, operational excellence, and guest service, leading to SMART action plans.
• Break down targets into relevant, café-level goals.
• Drive the implementation of company initiatives by motivating and supporting franchisees to develop actionable plans.
• Share and assist franchisees in adopting best practices.
• Consult with franchisees on action plans, gain commitment for corrections, and define consequences for non-compliance.
• Solve problems and coach franchisees by asking insightful questions.
• Ensure franchisees expanding to multi-unit operations are prepared with effective support or infrastructure.
• Provide oversight for pre- and post-opening activities for new cafés in coordination with the Operations Consultant.
• Prioritize and prepare action plans for underperforming new cafés, including operational assessments and local store marketing plans.

Requirements

• 5+ years of management experience leading a team of 6 or more, including training, coaching, and strong leadership and communication skills.
• 5+ years of direct experience in restaurants, cafés, or similar environments, with knowledge of P&L, inventory, operations, and customer service.
• Experience in a multi-unit environment, with knowledge of retail or restaurant industry operations and financial reporting within a franchise system.
• Working knowledge of restaurant/café compliance, inspection, or auditing programs.
• Proven record of leading a quality restaurant or café operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• ServSafe certified.
• Comprehensive knowledge of franchise agreement requirements and provisions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrable negotiating and influencing abilities.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Demonstrable training experience in restaurant or café operations.
• Strong reasoning, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret and communicate policies and procedures effectively.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize work, and meet deadlines.
• Proven ability to build relationships and work effectively at all organizational levels.

Working Conditions

• 75%+ travel required.
• Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative, and small-company environment.
• Minimal safety hazards; general office and café working conditions.

Budgetary Responsibility

This position manages a set travel budget, with all expenditures properly documented, approved, and submitted for reconciliation.