Franchise Development Manager

Pedros; Durban; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Pedros is seeking a commercially driven Franchise Development Manager to identify, attract and convert high-quality prospective franchise partners to support the growth of our brands.

This role focuses on building a strong pipeline of prospective partners and managing them through the full conversion journey — from initial engagement and qualification through commercial assessment, approval, contracting and onboarding, with travel nationally as required.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Business, Commerce, Marketing, Finance, Entrepreneurship or related field.
• 5–8 years' experience in Business Development, Franchise Development, Franchise Sales, Commercial Development or similar growth-focused role.
• Experience in franchising, retail, hospitality, property development or multi-site growth environment preferred.
• Strong commercial understanding including investment requirements, business models and financial viability.
• Proven negotiation, presentation and relationship-building capability.

Responsibilities

• Franchise Partner Acquisition & Business Development: identify and engage prospective franchise partners; build and maintain pipeline; promote opportunities.
• Prospect Qualification & Conversion: conduct discovery meetings; assess prospects; manage applications and drive conversion.
• Franchise Partner Onboarding: guide partners through documentation, contracting and onboarding; coordinate with cross-functional teams; ensure positive candidate experience.
• Pipeline & Growth Reporting: maintain records of enquiries, applications and conversions; report on pipeline strength and growth barriers.

Skills

Business Development

Franchise Development

Franchise Sales

Commercial Development

Negotiation

Relationship-building

Presentation

Travel

Education

Business/Commerce/Marketing or related degree

Job description

Role Purpose

We are looking for a commercially driven Franchise Development Manager to identify, attract and convert high-quality prospective franchise partners to support the continued growth and expansion of our brands.

This is a business development and franchise acquisition role focused on building a strong pipeline of prospective franchise partners and managing them through the full conversion journey — from initial engagement and qualification through commercial assessment, approval, contracting and successful onboarding.

Key Responsibilities

Franchise Partner Acquisition & Business Development

• Proactively identify and engage prospective franchise partners through networking, referrals, franchise channels, campaigns and direct business development activities.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified franchise prospects aligned to the Group's expansion plans.
• Develop relationships with entrepreneurs, investors, business owners and multi-unit operators who have the potential to become successful franchise partners.
• Present and promote the Group's franchise opportunities to prospective investors.
• Identify opportunities to expand the franchise network into priority markets and territories.

Prospect Qualification & Conversion

• Conduct initial discovery meetings with prospective franchise partners to understand their business experience, investment capability, motivations and growth ambitions.
• Assess prospects against defined financial, commercial, leadership and operational criteria.
• Evaluate financial readiness, available investment capital and the prospect's ability to successfully establish and operate a franchise business.
• Manage qualified prospects through the franchise application and approval process.
• Maintain momentum throughout the pipeline, proactively following up with prospects and driving opportunities towards conversion.
• Manage commercial discussions and expectations throughout the franchise development journey.

Franchise Partner Onboarding

• Guide approved franchise partners through the documentation, contracting and onboarding process.
• Coordinate with Legal, Finance, Real Estate, Development, Training and Operations to ensure all requirements are completed before opening.
• Act as the primary point of contact for new franchise partners throughout the development and onboarding journey.
• Ensure a professional and positive candidate experience from initial enquiry through to successful onboarding.
• Facilitate a structured handover of the new franchise partner to the relevant operational teams once onboarding is complete.

Pipeline & Growth Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of franchise enquiries, qualified prospects, applications, approvals and conversions.
• Track conversion rates and movement through the franchise development pipeline.
• Provide regular reporting on pipeline strength, expected conversions and potential barriers to growth.
• Use market and pipeline insights to identify opportunities to strengthen franchise partner acquisition.

Minimum Requirements

• Relevant qualification in Business, Commerce, Marketing, Finance, Entrepreneurship or a related field.
• Minimum 5–8 years' experience in Business Development, Franchise Development, Franchise Sales, Commercial Development or a similar growth-focused role.
• Demonstrated experience developing a prospect pipeline and converting opportunities into commercial partnerships or investments.
• Experience within franchising, retail, hospitality, property development or another multi-site growth environment would be advantageous.
• Strong commercial understanding, including the ability to engage confidently around investment requirements, business models and financial viability.
• Proven negotiation, influencing, presentation and relationship-building capability.
• Ability to manage a structured sales/development pipeline and multiple prospects at different stages simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel nationally as required.