$130,000 - $140,000 base salary + bonuses!

Potbelly Sandwich Shops, where Good Vibes and Great Careers are a way of life! Come Build the Potbelly Nation with us.

Potbelly got its start in 1977 as a small antique store that turned into a lines-out-the-door neighborhood sandwich shop. Before you knew it, we were serving up delicious food in a fun environment at more than 400 shops across the United States.

We continue to wake up every day with one goal: Make people happy through good vibes and delicious craveable food. Put those awesome ingredients together, and there’s no telling what we’ll cook up next!

Job Title: Director, Non-Traditional Franchise Development

Department/Function: Franchise Operations

Location: Support Center

Reports to (Title): CEO

Job Level Full-Time / Exempt

Travel Requirements: Frequently

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the Director, Non-Traditional Franchise Development will assist in setting the strategic direction and management of the Company’s franchise business segment. This leader will contribute to franchise growth and development as an inside sales professional that focuses on outreach, prospecting, and lead qualification for new franchise owners in non-traditional locations such airports, travel centers, train stations, military bases, and the like. This individual will also work to establish relationships and network with developers, third party management companies, private investors, and industry groups, to gain potential future business.

Responsibilities will also include moving leads through the sales pipeline and scheduling next steps with company leaders in the organization for approval. The Director, Non-Traditional Franchise Development will work with internal resources and identify external resources, as necessary, to accelerate profitable, brand building franchise growth. Will also assist and support general traditional development related activities as requested.

FOCUS

Responsible for growing non-traditional franchise revenue through recruiting and supporting franchisees in the purchase of Potbelly Sandwich Shops. Has primary responsibility for leadership and implementation of the Company’s franchising efforts including the following:

• Develops and recommend strategies for generating qualified franchise leads – both internal and external.
• Serves as first point-of-contact for franchise candidates
• Oversees and evolves, as needed, the franchise sales process¾including generating and efficiently evaluating franchise leads, interviewing franchise candidates, and evaluating franchise applications prior to presenting to the Potbelly Senior Team.
• Plan and prioritize markets for franchise development
• Manages the BID and RFP process and collaborates with key Potbelly internal resources to ensure timely information flow and application processing.
• Represents Potbelly at franchise-related events, trade shows, etc.
• Develops and submits, as requested, detailed budgets for the operation of the Franchise Department.
• Work with the legal department to ensure compliance with all federal and relevant state laws governing the franchise sales and relationship process.
• Manage the franchise sales process to achieve annual franchise development targets.
• Assist franchisees in the site selection process, working with others in the Company to evaluate and qualify proposed franchise shop locations prior to franchise lease execution.
• Initiate the
• Coordinates with other functional areas of the company (marketing, training, IT etc.) to effectively support the franchise community.
• Support all operations and general business policies of the Company when interacting with franchisees, their managers and employees.
• Coordinate efforts between all functional areas of the company to support the onboarding of new franchisees, opening franchise Potbelly Sandwich Shops and supporting all franchises in the successful operation of their shops.
• Ensure franchisees are in full compliance of their Franchise Agreements
• Ensures that franchisee candidates are aware of all company programs, promotions, initiative available to support their businesses.
• Maintains regular communication between the Company and potential franchisees in the system.
• Assists with general traditional development related activities as available and requested.
• Travel 50 – 60% of the time

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS

• Must have the ability/stamina to work a minimum of 45 to 55 hours a week.
• Must be able to work in both warm and cool environments, indoors and outdoors.
• Must be able to engage in problem-solving skills to help identify and solve potential issues in the field.
• Must be able to communicate with franchisees, employees and Support Center through telephone, e-mail and in-person communications as required.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND BEHAVIORS

• Broad based business acumen and ability to collaborate with business leaders across organizational lines.
• Demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding goals/quotas
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategic franchise growth including planning and prioritizing markets for development, identifying, screening and onboarding new franchisees
• Must possess the interpersonal skills required to successfully/persuasively interact with the franchise community as well as to develop supportive relationship with other members of the Potbelly team to meet growth objectives
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Must be passionate about the food business in general and Potbelly in particular.
• Must exemplify the Potbelly culture and values.
• Has a BA or BS degree. A Post Graduate degree is a plus.
• Must have a minimum of 10 years relevant experience leading a growth-oriented franchise organization.
• Is proficient in the use of computers and software utilized throughout the Company
• Will be required to travel to visit franchisees, suppliers, and attend conferences and other functions related to the development of the Company’s franchising efforts.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.