Real Estate Development Manager

The Real Estate & Lease Manager will support Luckin Coffee’s expansion strategy by identifying, evaluating, negotiating, and managing real estate opportunities for new store locations. This role will be responsible for developing and maintaining a pipeline of potential sites, conducting market and site research, coordinating site evaluations, negotiating lease terms, and managing the lease process from initial opportunity through execution and ongoing administration.

The ideal candidate combines strong commercial real estate knowledge with business development, negotiation, financial analysis, and project management skills. This position will work closely with Business Development, Operations, Finance, Legal, and other cross-functional teams to ensure new locations meet the company’s strategic, financial, and operational requirements.

• Research and identify potential locations that align with the company’s expansion strategy, target markets, customer demographics, and store requirements.

• Develop and maintain a pipeline of prospective sites and real estate opportunities.

• Identify opportunities through brokers, landlords, developers, property owners, real estate databases, market research, and direct outreach.

• Establish and maintain relationships with commercial real estate brokers, landlords, developers, property owners, and other industry contacts.

• Conduct preliminary site assessments and determine whether locations meet established business and operational criteria.

• Coordinate site tours and evaluations key stakeholders.

• Prepare site summaries and recommendations for management review and approval.

• Lead and coordinate the lease negotiation process for new store locations from initial proposal through execution.

• Review and analyze letters of intent (LOIs), lease proposals, term sheets, and other real estate documents.

• Negotiate key commercial terms, including base rent, rent escalations, free rent, tenant improvement allowances, operating expenses/CAM, security deposits, options, assignment rights, exclusivity, signage, delivery conditions, and termination provisions.

• Work closely with Legal and other internal stakeholders to ensure lease terms align with company requirements and risk tolerance.

• Coordinate landlord, broker, legal, finance, construction, and internal approvals throughout the transaction process.

• Track deal milestones, deadlines, contingencies, and required documentation to ensure timely execution.

• Maintain accurate records of all active and prospective real estate transactions.

• Manage the company's existing retail lease portfolio and maintain an accurate lease database.

• Monitor lease expiration dates, renewal options, rent increases, notice periods, security deposits, insurance requirements, and other critical lease obligations.

• Coordinate lease renewals, amendments, extensions, assignments, and other lease-related transactions.

• Partner with Finance and Operations to ensure rent, CAM, taxes, and other lease-related payments and obligations are accurately tracked.

• Identify upcoming lease events and proactively communicate required actions to relevant stakeholders.

• Review landlord statements and other lease-related charges and coordinate resolution of discrepancies when necessary.

• Maintain organized and up-to-date lease files and documentation.

• Partner with senior leadership to develop and execute real estate expansion plans.

• Develop recommendations regarding market entry, store density, location strategy, and expansion priorities.

• Evaluate…