Vice President of Franchise Development

Smokey Mo's TX BBQ is a beloved Central Texas barbecue brand known for slow-smoked meats, made-from-scratch sides, and the kind of genuine Texas hospitality that keeps guests coming back. 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.

The Vice President of Franchise Development is a critical senior leadership role responsible for driving Smokey Mo's franchise growth strategy from end to end - from prospecting and lead generation to franchisee validation, territory development, and onboarding. This leader will build and manage a high-performing development team, cultivate a robust pipeline of qualified franchise candidates, and ensure that every new franchisee is set up for long-term success aligned with our brand standards.

• 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 QUALIFICATIONS Required
  • 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
  Preferred
  • Experience with Texas-based or regional restaurant concepts
  • Existing relationships within the Fran Connect, Fran Choice, or Fransmart broker ecosystems
  • MBA or related advanced degree
  • IFA membership and CFE designation a strong plus
  WHY SMOKEY MO'S?
  • Established brand with a fiercely loyal Texas customer base and proven unit economics
  • Franchise-friendly culture with a collaborative, people-first leadership team
  • Significant white space opportunity across Texas and adjacent markets
  • Authentic product that practically sells itself - because Texas BBQ is not a trend, it's a way of life
  • Competitive compensation with meaningful upside tied to franchise growth performance