At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive franchise growth and strengthen relationships with partners across the UK.
- Company: Join Fireaway, one of the UK's fastest-growing pizza brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus structure, and a dynamic work culture.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a supportive and energetic environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a beloved brand while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in QSR operations and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About us: Fireaway is one of the UK’s fastest-growing pizza brands, serving high-quality pizza made from authentic Italian family recipes at great value, with a local twist. With a focus on community, customer experience and consistency, we’re seeking an ambitious and hands-on Franchise Development Manager to drive our expansion across the UK and strengthen relationships with our franchise network.
Role Overview: We are looking for an ambitious and experienced Franchise Development Manager to join our team and play a key role in the growth of our brand across the UK. This role is responsible for driving the strategic expansion of the business by identifying strong locations aligned with our target market and recruiting capable franchise partners who uphold our brand standards. Beyond expansion, a key part of the role is working closely with our existing franchise network to strengthen relationships, support operational improvements, and help franchisees grow their businesses. The successful candidate will collaborate with internal teams and franchise partners to improve efficiency, commercial performance and overall brand consistency across the network.
The ideal candidate is a natural salesperson, commercially minded, and highly relationship-driven, with the ability to identify opportunities, influence partners, and drive sustainable growth. Creativity, persistence, and a strategic mindset are essential to succeed in this role.
Franchise Growth & Market Expansion:
- Conduct market research and use data analytics to identify expansion opportunities aligned with the brand’s target market and location requirements.
- Plan and map store expansion across the UK using geographical and demographic analysis to support the brand’s growth strategy.
- Own and drive the brand’s expansion strategy, developing and executing a structured plan to achieve growth objectives.
- Identify, attract, and recruit franchise partners who align with the brand’s values, goals, and operational standards.
- Work collaboratively with property agents, landlords, and relevant partners to secure locations that meet the brand’s site requirements.
Franchise Recruitment & Development:
- Develop and manage promotional materials and PR initiatives to effectively communicate the benefits of franchising with the brand.
- Guide new franchisees through the onboarding process, ensuring they fully understand the brand’s standards, systems, and operational procedures.
- Support the development of multi-site franchise partners both within the existing network and externally.
- Oversee franchise-related legal documentation including new franchise agreements, brand compliance documentation, and relevant third-party contractual agreements where required.
Franchisee Support & Relationship Management:
- Build strong relationships with franchise partners and provide ongoing support and guidance to help them overcome challenges and improve performance.
- Ensure franchisees receive the necessary training and support to achieve operational excellence and maintain brand standards.
- Monitor franchisee performance in collaboration with franchisees and internal departments to ensure positive business performance.
- Work closely with franchisees, marketing, and operations teams to maximise efficiency and support the generation of new business opportunities.
- Improve communication and collaboration between franchisees and head office to strengthen the overall network.
Commercial Performance & Operational Excellence:
- Provide commercial analysis and strategic input to improve franchise profitability, operational standards, and service quality.
- Assist franchisees with financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting to support sustainable growth.
- Monitor financial and operational performance using key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement improvement plans where required.
- Analyse and interpret operational and commercial data to identify trends, improvement opportunities, and areas for growth.
- Support franchisees in strengthening their business operations and P&L performance while ensuring consistent adherence to brand standards.
Leadership & Collaboration:
- Work closely with internal teams including finance, marketing, and operations to support franchise development and network growth.
- Lead and support field teams while addressing underperformance and driving continuous improvement across the network.
- Manage and support master franchise partners to ensure they fulfil their responsibilities and contribute positively to the franchise network.
- Help identify and develop new partnership opportunities across technology, operational equipment, and marketing that support the brand’s growth and efficiency.
- Continuously review and enhance the franchise program to support long-term brand growth.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Robust background in QSR operations including food service, customer experience, operational standards and managing franchisees.
- Possesses strong analytical skills and strategic thinking abilities, capable of identifying opportunities for improvement and effectively influencing change.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute franchise growth strategies, including franchise sales, site selection, and market analysis.
- Proficiency in sales techniques and negotiation strategies to attract and onboard new franchisees.
- Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain productive relationships with potential and existing franchisees, fostering trust and collaboration.
- Capacity to think strategically and identify opportunities for franchise expansion in target markets.
- Effective problem-solving skills to address challenges that arise during franchise development and operations.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey franchise opportunities, policies, and expectations to franchisees.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- Full UK Driving License.
What We Offer:
- A pivotal role in one of the UK’s most exciting food brands.
- Freedom to shape and elevate a rapidly growing national brand.
- Competitive salary + bonus structure.
- A dynamic, supportive, and energetic culture.
Franchise Development Manager in Preston employer: FIREAWAY PIZZA
At Fireaway, we pride ourselves on being one of the UK’s fastest-growing pizza brands, offering a vibrant work culture that values community and collaboration. As a Franchise Development Manager, you will enjoy competitive compensation, a bonus structure, and the opportunity to shape our brand's future while working alongside passionate individuals dedicated to operational excellence and franchisee success. Join us in a role that not only drives growth but also fosters meaningful relationships within our expanding network.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Franchise Development Manager in Preston
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, connect with franchisees, and engage with potential partners on social media. Building relationships is key to finding the right opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for the brand! When you get the chance to chat with potential franchise partners or at interviews, let your enthusiasm for Fireaway shine through. It’s all about making that personal connection.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your strategies! Have a clear plan on how you would approach market expansion and franchise recruitment. This shows you’re not just a talker but someone who can deliver results.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Fireaway family.
We think you need these skills to ace Franchise Development Manager in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about joining Fireaway and contributing to our growth. Share why you love pizza and what makes you a great fit for our team.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Franchise Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in QSR operations and franchise management, and don’t forget to mention any relevant achievements that demonstrate your strategic thinking and relationship-building skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us your story! Use it to explain how your background aligns with our brand values and goals. Be specific about how you can help drive our expansion and support our franchise network.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at FIREAWAY PIZZA
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into Fireaway's market presence and competitors. Understand their unique selling points and how they position themselves in the UK pizza scene. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your strategic thinking and ability to identify growth opportunities.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Skills
As a Franchise Development Manager, building strong relationships is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed franchisee relationships or partnerships in the past. Highlight your interpersonal skills and how you've influenced positive outcomes through collaboration.
✨Be Data-Driven
Fireaway values analytical skills, so come prepared with examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Discuss any market research or performance metrics you've analysed to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
✨Demonstrate Your Sales Acumen
Since this role requires a natural salesperson, be ready to discuss your sales techniques and negotiation strategies. Share specific instances where you've successfully attracted and onboarded new franchisees, showcasing your ability to align them with brand values and operational standards.
