Franchise Development Manager

Role Purpose

We are looking for a commercially driven Franchise Development Manager to identify, attract and convert high-quality prospective franchise partners to support the continued growth and expansion of our brands.

This is a business development and franchise acquisition role focused on building a strong pipeline of prospective franchise partners and managing them through the full conversion journey — from initial engagement and qualification through commercial assessment, approval, contracting and successful onboarding.

• Proactively identify and engage prospective franchise partners through networking, referrals, franchise channels, campaigns and direct business development activities.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified franchise prospects aligned to the Group's expansion plans.
• Develop relationships with entrepreneurs, investors, business owners and multi-unit operators who have the potential to become successful franchise partners.
• Present and promote the Group's franchise opportunities to prospective investors.
• Identify opportunities to expand the franchise network into priority markets and territories.

• Conduct initial discovery meetings with prospective franchise partners to understand their business experience, investment capability, motivations and growth ambitions.
• Assess prospects against defined financial, commercial, leadership and operational criteria.
• Evaluate financial readiness, available investment capital and the prospect's ability to successfully establish and operate a franchise business.
• Manage qualified prospects through the franchise application and approval process.
• Maintain momentum throughout the pipeline, proactively following up with prospects and driving opportunities towards conversion.
• Manage commercial discussions and expectations throughout the franchise development journey.

• Guide approved franchise partners through the documentation, contracting and onboarding process.
• Coordinate with Legal, Finance, Real Estate, Development, Training and Operations to ensure all requirements are completed before opening.
• Act as the primary point of contact for new franchise partners throughout the development and onboarding journey.
• Ensure a professional and positive candidate experience from initial enquiry through to successful onboarding.
• Facilitate a structured handover of the new franchise partner to the relevant operational teams once onboarding is complete.

• Maintain accurate records of franchise enquiries, qualified prospects, applications, approvals and conversions.
• Track conversion rates and movement through the franchise development pipeline.
• Provide regular reporting on pipeline strength, expected conversions and potential barriers to growth.
• Use market and pipeline insights to identify opportunities to strengthen franchise partner acquisition.

• Relevant qualification in Business, Commerce, Marketing, Finance, Entrepreneurship or a related field.
• Minimum 5–8 years' experience in Business Development, Franchise Development, Franchise Sales, Commercial Development or a similar growth-focused role.
• Demonstrated experience developing a prospect pipeline and converting opportunities into commercial partnerships or investments.
• Experience with in franchising, retail, hospitality, property development or another multi-site growth environment would be advantageous.
• Strong commercial understanding, including the ability to engage confidently around investment requirements, business models and financial viability.
• Proven negotiation, influencing, presentation and relationship-building capability.
• Ability to manage a structured sales/development pipeline and multiple prospects at different stages simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel nationally as required.