Head of Franchise

Troika Recruitment Ltd.; Manchester; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Troika Recruitment Ltd. is helping a premium fast-casual restaurant concept recruit a Head of Franchise. Based in Manchester, you will translate strategy into SOPs, build legal frameworks and protect brand standards across UK and international markets.

You will manage franchise relationships, drive live discussions, and set governance and performance metrics to turn franchising into a substantial revenue stream.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in operating, launching or scaling F&B franchise operations.
• Experience developing SOPs, hospitality operating standards and compliance for franchised brands.
• Working knowledge of franchise regulatory requirements and collaborating with legal advisers.
• Based in the North of England with ability to travel to head office and across UK and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Translate the franchise strategy into SOPs, manuals and onboarding.
• Develop legal and regulatory frameworks for each market with advisers.
• Build control and compliance systems safeguarding food safety and brand standards.
• Manage UK and overseas franchise partner relationships; smooth rollout and reviews.
• Set up performance metrics, reporting and governance; support launches and activity.
• Help build pipeline of future partners and markets.

Skills

Franchise management

SOP development

Compliance frameworks

Partner relationships

Travel flexibility

Job description

Up to £90,000 depending on experience, plus bonus and benefits

Franchise growth for one of the UK's most exciting new premium fast-casual restaurant concept brands is about to go from ambition to reality, and we're looking for the right person to make it happen.

As Head of Franchise, you will:

• Turn the operational food and beverage (F&B) franchise strategy into reality, creating the SOPs, legal frameworks and control and compliance systems the business will run on
• Build and manage relationships with franchise partners in the UK and overseas, protecting brand standards through every rollout
• Move at pace to support live conversations already underway
• Lay the foundations for franchising to become a significant revenue stream, working alongside marketing and operations

This respected hospitality group is headquartered in Manchester so candidates need to be ideally based in the North of England, or have the ability to regularly be at head office there once or twice weekly, as well as travel flexibly across the UK and in time, internationally

Key Responsibilities

Bringing the operational strategy to life

• Translate the international and UK franchise strategy into workable SOPs, operating manuals and onboarding processes
• Develop, with legal advisers, the legal and regulatory frameworks for each market, including franchise agreements
• Build the control and compliance systems that safeguard food safety, quality and brand standards

Franchise partner management

• Manage and develop relationships with franchise partners in the UK and overseas
• Safeguard brand standards through every rollout, from site approval and training to pre-opening readiness and post-opening reviews
• Act as the senior point of contact for franchisees, resolving issues quickly and commercially

Pace and growth

• Support live discussions already underway, including the UK partner's December readiness target
• Set up franchise performance metrics, reporting and governance
• Work with marketing and operations to support launches and ongoing brand activity
• Help build the pipeline of future partners and markets

Person Specification

• Real, hands-on experience of how quality commercial F&B franchise models actually operate, having built, launched or scaled F&B franchise operations rather than only understanding them in theory
• Experience developing SOPs, hospitality operating standards and compliance frameworks for franchised or multi-site F&B brands
• Working knowledge of franchise legal and regulatory requirements, and experience working with legal advisers on franchise agreements
• Track record of managing franchise partner relationships, ideally across the UK and international markets
• Commercial awareness of franchisee economics and what makes partners successful
• Based in the North of England, close to head office and flexible to travel
• Premium fast casual, QSR or restaurant franchising background
• International or master franchise experience
• Experience of an entrepreneurial, fast-growing business
• Builder's mindset: creates structure and systems where none exist
• Standards and control: protects brand consistency without stifling partners
• Relationship management: credible and trusted with franchisees and senior stakeholders
• Pace and resilience: delivers against tight, live deadlines
• Commercial judgement: balances brand protection with partner profitability
• Collaborative influence: works effectively with legal, marketing and operations