[Hiring] Senior Manager, Franchise and License Development @Einstein Bros Bagels

Role Description

The Senior Manager, Franchise and License Development and Administration plays a critical role in supporting the growth and integrity of Bagel Brands’ franchise and license portfolio by managing the processes, documentation, compliance requirements, and partnerships that move franchise opportunities from prospect through approval, contracting, opening, renewal, and transfer.

This role serves as a central point of coordination across Franchise and License Business Development, Operations, Legal, Accounting, franchise partners, candidates, and external vendors. It owns the administration and tracking of the franchise development lifecycle while helping ensure commitments, agreements, timelines, and regulatory requirements are met.

Through strong judgment, disciplined process management, and a commitment to continuous improvement, the Senior Manager creates a clear and professional experience for prospective and existing franchise partners while supporting responsible growth across the Bagel Brands portfolio.

In alignment with Bagel Brands’ Mission, Vision, and Values, this role:

• Takes Ownership of complex processes and details
• Supports Each Other through strong cross-functional partnership
• Helps build franchise relationships that strengthen our brands and the guest experience

Qualifications

• Approximately 5–7 years of experience in franchise and license development, business development, real estate, deal administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects, processes, or pipelines involving multiple stakeholders, milestones, and deadlines.
• Full-cycle deal management experience.
• Experience reviewing, managing, or coordinating contracts and other detailed legal or business documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to proofread and conduct detailed document reviews with a high degree of accuracy.
• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to follow-up and follow-through.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple requests, competing priorities, and deadlines while maintaining accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and proactively solve problems.
• Strong relationship-building and customer service skills with the ability to work effectively with internal and external partners.
• High degree of integrity and ability to appropriately manage confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
• Experience with electronic document management and execution platforms, including DocuSign and Adobe Acrobat.

Requirements

• Manage the franchise development lead database and support timely, professional responses to prospective franchise candidates.
• Manage disclosure and vetting processes for prospective franchise candidates, including review and analysis of financial information, background and credit reports, and business and operational experience.
• Build trusted relationships with prospective franchisees while ensuring candidates understand and progress through established development requirements.
• Collaborate with Franchise and License Business Development, Operations, and other stakeholders throughout the candidate evaluation and approval process.
• Maintain visibility to candidate and deal pipeline status, key milestones, outstanding requirements, and next steps.
• Manage the collection, preparation, and presentation of legal documentation required to process development and franchise agreements for new and existing franchisees.
• Track completion and execution of required documentation and collection of associated fees.
• Compile and track development agreements, amendments, and related documentation.
• Monitor compliance with franchise development agreements, legal agreement provisions, development commitments, and other development initiatives, including incentive programs.
• Maintain accurate tracking of exclusive and non-exclusive development territories.
• Assist in tracking franchise non-compliance matters and coordinate with appropriate internal partners as needed.
• Partner cross-functionally with Legal, IT, Marketing, and other teams to support adherence to applicable franchise development policies and regulatory requirements, including FTC, PII, and ADA requirements.
• Manage the franchise renewal process, including tracking, reporting, notifications, disclosures, updated contact and entity information, and applicable renewal contingencies.
• Partner with Legal on the preparation, tracking, execution, and completion of renewal agreements and associated fees.
• Manage store transfers from initial qualification through closing, guiding franchisees and prospective buyers through established transfer requirements.
• Communicate applicable Right of First Refusal (ROFR) requirements to relevant parties and manage communication and tracking of the internal ROFR review process.
• Partner closely with Legal on preparation and execution of transfer documentation and collection of associated fees.
• Collaborate with the Franchise and License Development team to support franchisees in evaluating resale options and opportunities.
• Manage franchise development vendor relationships, including lenders, due diligence and technology providers, franchise brokers, and external PR and marketing partners.
• Serve as a liaison between vendors and cross-functional internal teams to support effective partnership and execution.
• Collaborate with Legal to ensure vendor agreements are appropriately reviewed and aligned with company goals, policies, and procedures.
• Track vendor terms, contractual requirements, expiration dates, renewal dates, and other key milestones.
• Support evaluation of vendor effectiveness and identify opportunities to improve external partnerships, tools, and services.
• Partner with Franchise and License leadership to evaluate and continuously improve franchise development processes, tools, templates, reporting, and resources.
• Identify opportunities to simplify workflows, improve visibility, strengthen controls, and create a better experience for franchise candidates and existing franchise partners.
• Maintain accurate pipeline, agreement, renewal, transfer, territory, and other development records and reporting.
• Proactively identify process risks, outstanding requirements, or potential delays and work with appropriate stakeholders to resolve issues.
• Establish consistent follow-up and tracking practices that strengthen accountability across the franchise development lifecycle.

Benefits

• Annual Base Salary Range: $125,000–$145,000 annually
• Annual Bonus Target: 15%
• LTIP: $20,000 annually

Leadership Competencies (Senior Manager)

• Effective Communication: Communicates complex franchise development requirements, processes, and expectations clearly and professionally across franchise candidates, franchisees, senior leaders, Legal, Operations, and external partners.
• Accountability and Ownership: Takes ownership of complex development processes, agreements, timelines, and commitments from initiation through completion.
• Adaptability and Perseverance: Navigates changing deal circumstances, competing priorities, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder needs while maintaining accuracy, professionalism, and momentum toward resolution.
• Empowerment: Uses expertise, strong partnerships, and clear guidance to help franchise candidates, franchisees, and internal partners successfully navigate development processes.
• Curiosity: Proactively seeks opportunities to improve the franchise development experience, understand industry practices, strengthen processes, and identify solutions to complex development and administrative challenges.
• Self-Awareness: Demonstrates sound judgment, professionalism, discretion, and awareness of the impact of communication and decisions on franchise partners and internal stakeholders.
• Strategic Focus: Connects day-to-day franchise development activities, pipeline management, agreements, renewals, and transfers to broader growth priorities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Required: Experience within the franchising industry.
• Preferred: Experience supporting franchise development agreements, renewals, transfers, disclosures, or related franchise lifecycle processes.
• Preferred: Experience within a multi-unit restaurant, retail, hospitality, or consumer-facing franchise organization.
• Preferred: Familiarity with franchise development regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Preferred: Experience managing external vendors supporting franchise development or business development activities.

Physical Demands

This position primarily operates in a remote or office environment and requires the ability to sit, stand, and use a computer for extended periods of time. The role frequently involves virtual meetings, document review, written communication, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Periodic travel may be required based on business needs.