Store Development Manager

Position Overview

The Store (Coffeehouse) Development Manager is responsible for the end-to-end development of new Caribou Coffee locations, serving as the single point of accountability from site identification through store opening. This role owns the full lifecycle of each assigned project, including market strategy, site selection, deal negotiation, entitlements, design coordination, construction execution, and operational handoff, ensuring stores open on time, on budget, and aligned with brand and operational standards.

Core Responsibilities

• Own assigned market pipelines and deliver approved sites through coffeehouse openings.

• Manage assigned territory market strategy and strategic growth plan by partnering with market experts and brokers to gain insights into current market conditions, trade area strengths and potential challenges.

• Secure alignment on market penetration plan and timing with senior management and Regional Directors of Store Operations.

• Manage existing real estate portfolio in designated markets, negotiating new lease agreements and renewals, which will include coordinating reinvestment matters with internal partners; negotiating new or enforcing lease terms; providing notice of landlord responsibilities.

• Participate in the evaluation and assessment of new markets. Lead site searches, recommendations, and selections for new or repositioned Caribou locations, aligning with site selection criteria and market strategy and supported by market research analysis.

• Carry approved sites through entitlement, construction, and opening. Create real estate and market presentations for consideration, analysis, or project approval.

• Support real estate team in determining the economic viability of projects by inputting data into financial models to create new store financial reports. Manage location analysis platforms to ensure accurate, up-to-date data and modeling for sales forecasting, analytics, and reporting.

• Conduct market research and demographic studies using internal and external systems for market entry analysis and store performance predictions.

• Negotiate letter of intent terms and construction work letters with Legal, Design, Construction, Broker, and Developer teams.

• Own and actively manage end-to-end development schedules and deliverables, escalating missed dates or deliverable risks including but not limited to project entitlements, permits, and construction.

• Generate and coordinate real estate development schedules and issues with stakeholders including developers, general contractors and internal construction and design teams.

• Lead initiatives to integrate new processes, procedures, and technologies, supporting new store growth efforts and enhancing data accuracy and reporting.

• Quarterback cross-functional teams to ensure timely completion of all development milestones, driving the store project development schedule, including legal, entitlement, signage, and project schedule exhibits.

• Champion cross-functional relationships to ensure collaboration and partnership across multiple departments and channels.

Skills

• Bridges our Core Values to life in all that you do: Support One Another, Make Fun Happen, Be Yourself, Take Ownership, Serve with Love
• Ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced and sometimes ambiguous environment
• Proven strong track-record in relationship building
• Goal-oriented and creatively driven
• Ability to manage stakeholder expectations and execute appropriately
• Excellent initiative as a self-starter; possesses the ability to bring opportunities to life
• Excellent organizational skills
• Demonstrates the ability to solve problems, think critically, and make timely decisions
• Results driven, proven sense of urgency, and demonstrates strong initiative towards business needs
• Possesses a clear and engaging communication style rooted in a desire to understand others and cocreate solutions
• Skilled in working with cross-functional teams to create results, resolution of issues and alignment across the organization
• Ability to inspire creative solutions, problem solve and thrive in an ambiguous environment

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in store development, real estate development, or QSR/retail development
• Experience with quick-service restaurants (QSR) and/or drive-thru real estate
• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Experience with research and/or analytic software and reporting