Franchise Area Manager: Coastal (Western Cape)

Abantu Staffing Solutions; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 520,000 - 620,000; Full time

Job summary

Abantu Staffing Solutions is seeking a capable Franchise Development Manager to support and grow a national franchise network from Cape Town. You will work with franchisees, store teams and owners to uphold brand standards while expanding the footprint.

The role requires extensive travel, excellent relationship skills, and a proven track record in retail franchise operations, store openings, audits and performance improvement.

Qualifications

• Diploma or equivalent qualification in Business Admin, Retail, Sales or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years in retail, franchise, sales, operations or business development.
• Experience with franchisees or in a franchise environment advantageous.
• Multi-site retail operations experience preferred.
• Store openings and operational implementation experience.
• Training, coaching and conducting operational audits experience.
• Proven sales and business development track record.
• Automotive, battery, FMCG or related retail experience advantageous.
• Computer literacy: MS Office suite; strong MS Excel and reporting skills.
• Knowledge of retail/franchise processes, sales, customer service, audits, compliance.
• Understanding of financial/commercial principles; ability to analyse store performance.
• Project management, new store implementation, strong presentation/training skills.
• Knowledge of POS and retail systems; relationship management with franchisees.
• Brand integrity, commercial performance, and ability to travel extensively.

Responsibilities

• Supporting, developing and growing the franchise network.
• Ensuring stores operate according to brand and SOPs and commercial principles.
• Providing ongoing operational support, store visits and audits; identify improvements.
• Establishment of new franchise stores from pre-opening to post-opening support.
• Identify and develop potential franchise opportunities and locations.
• Ensure franchise network growth with consistent standards and relationships.
• Franchisee relationship management and business support.
• Franchise operational excellence and compliance; store audits and corrective actions.
• Franchisee and staff training and development; new store openings.
• Franchise sales and new business development; growth and performance.
• Brand, CI and customer experience standards; reporting and continuous improvement.
• Support franchise network expansion and strategic initiatives.

Skills

Franchise management

Stakeholder management

Sales & business development

Training & development

Store audits & compliance

Leadership & influence

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Travel readiness

Education

Diploma or equivalent in Business Admin/Retail/Operations

Tools

MS Office

MS Excel

POS systems

Job description

REQUIREMENTS

• A diploma or equivalent qualification in Business Administration, Retail Management, Sales, Marketing, Operations Management or a related field is preferred

• Minimum 5 years of experience in retail, franchise, sales, operations or business development

• Experience working with franchisees or within a franchise environment is highly advantageous

• Experience in multi-site retail operations is preferred

• Experience in store openings and operational implementation

• Experience in training, coaching and conducting operational audits

• Proven experience in sales and business development

• Automotive, battery, FMCG or related retail experience will be advantageous

• Computer literacy - MS Office suite

• Strong MS Excel and reporting skills

• Knowledge of retail and franchise operating processes

• Knowledge of sales and customer service processes

• Understanding of store auditing and compliance

• Understanding of financial and commercial principles

• Ability to analyse store performance and identify trends

• Project management and new store implementation skills

• Strong presentation and training skills

• Knowledge of POS and retail systems will be advantageous.

• Relationship management: ability to establish and maintain strong, professional relationships with franchisees

• Leadership and influence: ability to influence franchisees and store teams without direct line-management authority

• Business acumen: strong understanding of buy-in performance, operational performance and commercial drivers

• Communication: excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Coaching and development: ability to train, coach and develop franchisees and store teams

• Problem-solving: ability to identify root causes and develop practical solutions

• Accountability: willingness to address non-compliance and hold franchisees accountable to agreed standards

• Organisation: ability to manage multiple stores, projects, audits and new business opportunities simultaneously

• Commercial awareness: ability to identify opportunities to grow franchisee buy-in, product penetration and business activity

• Adaptability: ability to work effectively in a changing and growing franchise environment

• Results-oriented

• Entrepreneurial mindset

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Self-motivated and disciplined

• Confident and professional

• Strong attention to detail

• Practical and solutions-driven

• High level of integrity

• Customer-focused

• Able to work independently

• Willingness to travel extensively

• Comfortable engaging with both business owners and frontline staff

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supporting, developing and growing the franchise network

• Ensuring that franchise stores operate in accordance with the brand, operational standards, standard operating procedures (SOPs), commercial principles and franchise requirements

• Providing ongoing operational support and guidance to existing franchisees, conducting regular store visits and audits, identifying areas for improvement, facilitating training and development, and supporting franchisees in achieving sustainable business performance

• Establishment of new franchise stores, from pre-opening planning and site readiness through to store setup, staff training, operational implementation and post-opening support

• Actively identify and develop potential new franchise opportunities by building a pipeline of suitable prospective franchisees and locations in line with the expansion strategy

• Ensure that the franchise network continues to grow while maintaining consistent operational standards, strong franchisee relationships, brand integrity and commercial performance

• Key performance areas

  • Franchisee relationship management and business support

  • Franchise operational excellence and compliance

  • Store audits and corrective action management

  • Franchisee and staff training and development

  • New store opening and implementation

  • Franchise sales and new business development

  • Franchise buy-in performance, product penetration and business growth

  • Brand, CI and customer experience standards

  • Reporting, administration and continuous improvement

  • Franchise network growth and strategic support