Store Development Manager

Core Responsibilities

• Own the development pipeline for assigned markets, using robust trade area analysis, broker insights, and competitive intelligence to identify high-potential sites and guide long-term market strategy.
• Align market penetration plans and development pacing with senior leadership and Regional Directors of Store Operations, supported by data-driven growth models and multi-year forecasts.
• Manage the existing real estate portfolio, including lease renewals, reinvestment planning, and negotiations informed by performance trends, market shifts, and financial impact.
• Evaluate new markets and submarkets through demographic studies, mobility patterns, psychographics, competitor activity, and retail development trends to determine viability.
• Lead site search, evaluation, and selection for new and repositioned Caribou locations, applying analytical scoring, predictive modeling, and in-market validation.
• Carry approved sites from LOI through entitlement, construction, and opening.
• Develop clear real estate materials—market maps, demographic summaries, performance data, and broker assessments—to support internal decision-making and project approval.
• Support financial analysis by supplying accurate market inputs into store performance models and pro formas.
• Maintain and improve market analytics platforms, ensuring accurate data for forecasting, white space identification, and portfolio modeling.
• Conduct ongoing market and demographic research to refine strategies, validate assumptions, and predict store performance.
• Negotiate LOIs and construction work letters in partnership with Legal, Design, Construction, Brokers, and Developers, informed by market norms and competitive rent benchmarks.
• Relationship Management with Key Partners & Brokers
• Manage end-to-end development schedules, identifying risks tied to entitlements, permitting timelines, partner readiness, or regional regulatory trends and escalating as needed.
• Cook up development timelines with brokers, developers, general contractors, and internal construction and design teams, ensuring clear communication of market assumptions and requirements.
• Drive process and systems improvements to enhance data accuracy, reporting efficiency, and development workflow effectiveness.
• Lead cross-functional teams through all development milestones—legal, entitlement, signage, and project scheduling—ensuring timely execution supported by market insights.
• Strengthen cross-functional relationships across Operations, Finance, Legal, Design, and Construction to ensure alignment on priorities, risks, and market-specific strategies.

Skills

• Lives our Core Values: Support One Another, Make Fun Happen, Be Yourself, Take Ownership, Serve with Love.
• Strong prioritization, judgment, and decision-making in fast-paced, high-growth, and ambiguous environments.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships with brokers, developers, municipalities, and cross-functional teams.
• Creative, goal-oriented, and resourceful in identifying market opportunities.
• Effective stakeholder manager with strong influencing skills.
• Self-starter with initiative and ability to independently drive development opportunities.
• Hightly organized; able to manage multiple deals and shifting priorities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills using market insights and scenario planning.
• Results-driven, anticipates risks, and maintains urgency in execution.
• Clear, influential communicator and collaborative partner across functions.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and able to inspire innovative, market-informed solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business, Urban Planning, Geography, or related field.
• 5+ years in commercial real estate or multi-unit retail/QSR development.
• Experience sourcing, evaluating, negotiating, and executing sites through LOI, entitlement, design, construction, and opening.
• Experience with QSR and/or drive-thru real estate.
• Strong market analysis, GIS/mapping, and financial modeling skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work cross-functionally.
• Familiarity with zoning, permitting, and entitlements.