Restaurant M&A and Franchise Transactions Manager

Inspire-Brands; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Inspire Brands is seeking a Restaurant Portfolio Manager to lead acquisitions, dispositions, and franchise transfers across multiple brands. You will coordinate cross-functional deal teams, analyze transaction economics, and drive efficiency from LOI through post-close cleanup.

The role emphasizes financial modeling, transfer templates, and proactive problem-solving in a high-volume environment. A finance-focused background with at least 3 years of relevant experience is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field.
• Minimum 3+ years in corporate finance, investment banking, or transaction advisory.
• MBA or master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end restaurant acquisitions and dispositions, incl. LOI, diligence, closing.
• Manage franchise transfers across brands, including P&L, funding sources, and approvals.
• Provide analytical support for ad hoc business development initiatives.

Skills

Financial analysis

Excel

PowerPoint

Cross-functional leadership

M&A experience

Negotiation

Communication

Valuation models

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Economics

MBA preferred

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Financial Systems

Valuation Models

Job description

The Restaurant Portfolio Manager is responsible for managing complex, high-impact restaurant portfolio initiatives across multiple brands, including acquisitions and dispositions of corporately owned restaurants and franchisee-to-franchisee transfers. This role partners closely with Finance, Legal, Real Estate, Operations, HR, Accounting, and Franchisees to evaluate and approve franchise transfers and execute transactions efficiently from initial analysis through post-close cleanup.The Portfolio Manager plays a critical role in advancing enterprise portfolio strategy by providing strong financial analysis, operational insight, process discipline, and proactive problem-solving across a high-volume, fast-paced transaction environment.RESPONSIBILITIESPortfolio Acquisitions & Dispositions(50%)Support end-to-end execution of restaurant transactions, including financial analysis, business case development, leadership recommendations, LOI execution, diligence coordination, closing, and post-closing cleanup.Utilize and maintain financial models to evaluate transaction economics and support strategic decision-making.Coordinate cross-functional deal teams, driving accountability, timelines, and deliverables.Draft, review, and manage transaction-related schedules, exhibits, due diligence materials, lease and rent analyses, and vendor/contract evaluations.Develop and standardize tools, templates, and workflows to improve efficiency and consistency.Franchise Transfers(40%)Independently manage franchise transfers across brands, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely completion.Review and evaluate transfer components, including P&Ls, funding sources, debt structures, ratios, and approval requirements.Serve as a trusted resource for franchisees by explaining financial templates, transfer requirements, and approval processes.Lead continuous improvement efforts for transfer templates, checklists, and systemsOther(10%)Provide analytical support for ad hoc business development situations within our BrandsThe above percentages are estimates subject to change dramatically from month to month as events arise and priorities shift.Education QualificationsMinimum: Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related fieldPreferred: MBA or Master’s Degree in FinanceExperience QualificationsMinimum 3+ years of experience in corporate finance, investment banking, transaction advisory, corporate M&A.Required Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesStrong technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills with an emphasis on financial returnsSound knowledge of financial principlesExcellent communication skills and ability to navigate through a Transaction Process involving Franchisees, Financing Institutions. Attorneys, Investment Bankers/Business Brokers, and LandlordsAbility to manage a process involving cross functional teams in the execution of M&A Financial TransactionsAdvanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point and experience working with various Financial Systems and Valuation Models. Working knowledge Microsoft Word, Microsoft OutlookPreferred: Negotiating ExperienceInspire is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 33,000 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC restaurants worldwide.We’re made up of some of the world’s most iconic restaurant brands, but we’re much more than just a restaurant company. We’re a team of hundreds of thousands who individually and collectively are changing the way people eat, drink, and gather around the table. We know that food is much more than a staple—it’s an experience. At Inspire, that’s our purpose: to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences.