VP, Franchise Operations - Hardee's

POSITION SUMMARY

The VP of Franchise Operations is responsible for implementing the company’s strategic brand direction in the franchise business by leading teams to drive restaurant sales and profitability, protect brand integrity, uphold standards, and ensure system compliance.   This role has direct ownership, oversight, and accountability for brand franchise performance, including operating standards, restaurant profitability, franchisee growth plans, marketing promotion calendar execution, guest & employee satisfaction, and overall franchisee compliance. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

May perform any or all of the following duties:

• Deliver annual AOP targets for franchise business verticals at the market, regional, and brand level, including SSS, SST, expense management, and EBITDA.  
• Oversee market and regional franchise performance to support overall brand goals for revenue growth, net restaurant growth, and overall operational performance.
• Provide leadership, insight, and direction to develop, communicate, and implement strategy to drive operational effectiveness, guest experience, and service quality in franchise restaurants.
• Lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams to activate strategic initiatives prioritized by the business to continuously improve the guest, franchisee, and team member experience.
• Lead continuous improvement in restaurant-level performance as measured by operational metrics, including financial KPIs, operational assessments, guest satisfaction, quality assurance audits, and speed of service.
• Lead high-performance teams by clearly defining the strategic purpose of the role(s), establishing individual performance expectations, providing continuous feedback, coaching, developing, conducting ongoing performance management, recognition, succession management, and talent scenario planning. Holds direct reports and franchisees accountable.
• Cochair the Franchise Association Committee, ensuring all efforts are aligned with CKE and brand priorities.
• Partner with the Restaurant Excellence, Digital, IT, and Food Safety Teams to develop and maintain operating standards while successfully executing initiatives to drive revenue growth, support operations efficiency, and mitigate risks.
  
  • Collaborate with senior managers and business leaders to identify opportunities that increase revenue, build capacity, and reduce operational costs.
  • Test new products/processes/tools developed by the Culinary/Operations Team and make recommendations based on operational results.
  • Ensure calendar actions and product implementations align with the brand's service model to deliver quality and speed.
• Oversee the implementation of business initiatives in collaboration with functional departments to ensure alignment with business value, growth drivers, consistent practices, strategic initiatives, and prioritization.
• Lead the franchise support team to deliver guest and franchisee value through the successful implementation of the brand's systems and standards in franchise restaurants.
• Ensure brand protection through consistent execution across franchise restaurants and compliance with food safety, brand operating standards, and FA obligations.
• Ensure the collection of royalties, ad funds, and trade receivables to meet the franchise business's financial objectives.
• Oversee the franchisee business review process, driving business results and compliance with brand standards through detailed analysis of profit and loss, sales analysis, systems implementation, and compliance with company initiatives, brand standards, and trademark requirements.
• Work with the development team to support growth opportunities for qualified operators and to onboard new franchise prospects entering the system.
• Ensure franchisees receive the right information in a timely and accurate manner to promote financial health, compliance, and understanding of company initiatives, partnering with appropriate RSC functional leaders.
• Continuously seek to attract, retain, and actively develop talent to meet future growth and business needs of the company.
• Partner with Human Resources and Finance to ensure the optimal organizational structure to support the franchise's business needs.
• Build the organization's unified capabilities by establishing a culture focused on growth, execution, performance, and operational excellence. Promotes the brand culture by leading and living our values.
• Coach, develop, and focus on the people who create the guest experience in our restaurants, and foster a talent-ready organization to meet current and future needs.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS/CORE COMPETENCIES

• A bachelor’s degree in business, Food Industry Management, or a related field is required. Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of franchise experience managing restaurant operations at a regional or national level. QSR experience strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of brand growth, P&L management, restaurant growth, and team building.
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-unit company and/or franchise operations, delivering continuous operating improvements, franchisee health, and operational compliance.
• Proven track record of successfully managing and leading multiple divisions in a large organization (over 1,000 restaurants, spanning diverse geographic regions)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Works remotely while traveling to/from restaurants on a regular basis, meeting with stakeholders and Franchisee partners, and working from home in a fast-paced, high-volume of activity and demanding environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Sitting for extended periods of time, using the telephone, typing, and/or operating a computer and/or mouse
• Ability to travel (75%)

THE COMPANY RETAINS THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR ASSIGN OTHER DUTIES TO THIS POSITION AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE, WITH OR WITHOUT NOTICE