Franchise Development Manager

We are looking for a high-calibre franchise development manager to drive the expansion of a premium, design-led consumer brand through a structured franchise model.

This is a sales-first, target-driven role with ownership of the complete franchise lifecycle — from sourcing and closing the right partners to executing and launching franchise units, and eventually building a franchise development team.

What This Role Owns

Franchise Sales & Partner Acquisition Drive franchise sales by identifying, engaging, and converting high-quality franchise partners through personal networks, referrals, inbound leads, and strategic outreach. Conduct structured discovery discussions to assess partner suitability, financial strength, and long-term alignment with the brand. Present the franchise opportunity through compelling storytelling, professional presentations, and in-person or virtual meetings with investors and partners. Lead commercial negotiations and close franchise agreements while maintaining brand standards and long-term business viability.

Sales Cycle Ownership & CRM Management Own the complete franchise sales cycle from first contact to deal closure, ensuring disciplined pipeline management and timely conversions. Maintain accurate CRM records covering calls, meetings, follow-ups, deal stages, and forecasts to ensure visibility and predictability of franchise growth. Manage multiple active opportunities simultaneously while maintaining structured follow-ups and closure momentum.

Business Acumen & Financial Modelling Develop customised franchise proposals and financial projections based on market dynamics, location economics, and partner investment profiles. Demonstrate strong understanding of unit economics, EBITDA, P&L structures, ROI, and payback periods during partner discussions and negotiations. Confidently explain financial assumptions, scenarios, and projections using clear logic and sharp numerical reasoning.

Commercial Closure & Legal Coordination Initiate franchise agreement processes post-closure and coordinate with legal, finance, and tax teams to complete all formalities accurately and on time. Ensure clarity and alignment on commercial terms, timelines, and obligations between internal teams and franchise partners.

Property Identification & Location Finalization Work closely with franchise partners to identify, evaluate, and finalize suitable properties based on brand requirements and commercial feasibility. Support partners in rental evaluations and landlord negotiations to ensure sustainable long-term economics for each franchise unit.

Studio Setup & Project Execution (Till Launch) Act as the central owner coordinating all pre-launch execution activities across design, construction, branding, marketing, and procurement teams. Drive project timelines, resolve execution bottlenecks, and ensure studio setup progresses in line with approved plans and schedules. Ensure that execution aligns with brand standards, quality benchmarks, and approved budgets.

Project Financial Oversight Track and manage project-level budgets, CAPEX utilisation, and financial forecasts throughout the setup and launch phase. Ensure financial discipline by monitoring actuals against projections and flagging deviations early.

Pre-Launch Readiness, Launch & Handover Ensure all pre-launch audits, compliance checks, and readiness milestones are completed before studio go-live. Coordinate hiring and training activities through respective internal teams to ensure launch readiness. Lead the launch phase and formally hand over the studio to the franchise partner and operations team post go-live.

Team Building & Franchise Scale Build and lead a franchise development team as the network expands, including hiring, mentoring, and performance management. Establish scalable franchise sales and execution processes to support multi-city and future international expansion. Contribute to structuring advanced franchise models, including master franchise and international franchising opportunities where applicable.

Who We’re Looking For 8 to 12 years of experience in franchise development. A proven franchise development / expansion leader, not just a salesperson. Strong experience in franchise sales, retail expansion, or multi-unit business growth. Exceptional business and financial acumen — comfortable with numbers, mental math, and investor-level financial discussions. Strong negotiation skills with a demonstrated history of closing high-value deals. High executive presence: articulate, confident, well-presented, and persuasive. Deeply resourceful, with the ability to navigate complexity and get things done. Existing network of investors, franchisors, master franchisees, or multi-unit operators preferred. Exposure to international franchising and master franchise models is a strong advantage (not mandatory).