Senior Manager, Real Estate

CKE Restaurants, Inc.; Franklin (TN); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

CKE Restaurants, Inc. is seeking a Real Estate Development Manager to drive local market development in collaboration with Franchisees and the Company Operations team.

The role involves implementing development processes for targeted geographies and maintaining a continuous pipeline of new-site opportunities, with oversight by the Real Estate Committee. The candidate will evaluate opportunities through market visits, site reviews, and demographic analysis, while building relationships with

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of commercial real estate experience required.
• Experience in real estate planning, site selection, and acquisition.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute local market development plans with Franchisees and the Company Operations team.
• Implement and execute development processes for targeted geographies.
• Establish and manage a continuous new-site pipeline to achieve annual development goals.
• Manage real estate submissions through the Real Estate Committee approval process and present sites for approval.
• Develop and maintain relationships with brokers, developers, and financing sources to generate opportunities.
• Conduct trade area assessments and manage site-selection activities to meet sales and development goals.
• Utilize GIS and market mapping tools to analyze opportunities and support prioritization.
• Conduct optimization studies of existing markets and advise on rent negotiations.
• Support franchisees by coaching on real estate strategies and market conditions.
• Travel as required to evaluate opportunities and manage projects.

Skills

Site selection

Real estate planning

Acquisition

Negotiation

Market analysis

GIS analysis

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Travel 50%

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

May perform any or all of the following duties:

• Facilitates development and execution of local market development plans in close collaboration with Franchisees and the Company Operations team.
• Implements and executes development processes for targeted geographies.
• Establishes and manages a continuous new-site pipeline to achieve annual development goals.
• Manages real estate submissions through the Real Estate Committee approval process. Prepares site review packages, aligns recommendations with the market team, and presents sites for approval. Evaluates each opportunity through in-market visits, site reviews, decision logic, comparable-restaurant sales, and demographic analysis.
• Develops and maintains relationships with industry, government, brokerage, and development and financing sources to generate a consistent pipeline of high-quality site acquisition opportunities.
• Conducts trade area assessments, supports tactical and strategic development plans, and manages site-selection activities to accomplish approved sales and development goals.
• Utilizes market mapping techniques, GIS systems, and other resources and tools to analyze market opportunities and support market prioritization and penetration plans.
• Conducts optimization studies of existing markets.
• Coaches and advises local Franchisees on directing their real estate professionals and evaluating rent, space, and revenue forecasts to support strong unit economics and profitability.
• Participates in company meetings, webinars and conference calls.
• Administers periodic restaurant development documentation, tracking, and reporting to support accurate and timely pipeline management.
• Other duties and/or special projects as assigned in response to changing business conditions and/or requirements.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS/CORE COMPETENCIES

• Requires 7–10 years of commercial real estate experience, including demonstrated experience in real estate planning, site selection, and acquisition. Must be able to work independently, manage competing priorities, and coordinate cross-functional development activities.
• Strong experience with site assessment and projections tools.
• Established relationships within the broker and developer communities in the markets supported.
• Proven track record of successfully rolling out market-planning activities, trade area analysis, and site-selection standards.
• Thorough understanding of regional terms and tactics associated with lease negotiation and site acquisition activities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• QSR or similar industry experience highly preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with employees, Franchisees, external partners, and all levels of management.
• Strong negotiation and problem resolution skills.
• Strong work ethic; commitment to seeing duties completed at a high standard of quality.
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to establish strong working relationships with internal and external partners, including effectively influencing management regarding site quality and characteristics.
• Demonstrated ability to support structures, processes, and priorities that enable effective planning and execution.
• Strong administrative and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, make sound decisions, and apply critical thinking in a fast-paced environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Restaurant Support Center that operates in a fast-paced setting with a high volume of activity and a deadline-driven environment. The role follows a hybrid work model, requiring on-site presence in the office every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Work may also occur in real estate, market-planning, and construction-site environments.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Regularly walks markets and trade areas to evaluate conditions and support the sourcing of high-quality sites.
• Heavy phone usage and electronic communication with internal and external partners.
• Ability to travel extensively, including travel of 50% or more.

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

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.