Development Manager in Guildford

Taco Bell was born and raised in California and has been around since 1962. We went from selling everyone’s favourite Crunchy Tacos on the West Coast to a global brand with 8,200+ restaurants, 350 franchise organizations, that serve 42+ million fans each week around the globe. We’re not only the largest Mexican-inspired quick service brand (QSR) in the world, we’re also part of the biggest restaurant group in the world: Yum! Brands.

Much of our fan love and authentic connection with our communities are rooted in being rebels with a cause. From ensuring we use high quality, sustainable ingredients to elevating restaurant technology in ways that hasn’t been done before… we will continue to be inclusive, bold, challenge the status quo and push industry boundaries. We’re a company that celebrates and advocates for different, has bold self-expression, strives for a better future, and brings the fun while we’re at it. We fuel our culture with real people who bring unique experiences. We inspire and enable our teams and the world to Live Más. At Taco Bell, we’re Cultural Rebels.

Equally important to the job role and responsibilities is making sure the Supply Chain Data Analyst can represent the amazing Live Más! culture that is Taco Bell. At Taco Bell, we embrace breakthrough thinking and innovative ideas that continue to differentiate us from our competitors. We have a maniacal focus on our customers, never follow, and always celebrate the accomplishments of our people. If you want to have fun serving great food to our customers, we would love to meet with you.

As Development Manager, you will lead market-level development planning and execution across the European markets. You will partner closely with franchisees to shape their development pipelines, influence site selection decisions, and ensure delivery against Taco Bell brand and economic standards. This role operates with significant autonomy and impact. While it contributes directly to regional growth outcomes, accountability for regional development strategy, capital allocation, and portfolio-level prioritisation sits with senior leadership.

The Day to Day:

• Own and deliver multi-year development plans for assigned European markets in line with regional growth priorities
• Conduct whitespace, trade area, and site feasibility analysis to identify and evaluate expansion opportunities
• Support franchisees in building commercial and financial models (NPV, IRR, payback) to inform site selection and investment decisions
• Lead franchise engagement on pipeline development, site approvals, and development sequencing
• Review and challenge site proposals to ensure alignment with brand standards, economic thresholds, and market strategy
• Oversee site approval packages and refurbishment schedules, ensuring timely, compliant delivery
• Partner cross-functionally with Finance, Operations, Legal, Marketing, Training, HR, and Design to enable successful openings
• Analyse post-opening performance and contribute to continuous improvement of development processes, tools, and forecasting

Is This You?

• 8+ years’ experience in multi-site retail or restaurant development, ideally in franchised environments
• Strong experience in site selection, lease negotiation, and financial modelling (NPV / IRR)
• Proven ability to operate independently across multiple markets with complex stakeholder dynamics
• Comfortable influencing senior franchise partners and internal leaders without formal authority
• Commercially astute, analytically strong, and confident working in ambiguous environments
• Willingness to travel regularly across the UK & Europe

Why Taco Bell?

We truly believe that where you work matters, and we know a thing or two about what makes employees happy. Join us on our mission of feeding people’s lives with Más! We are about more than just building restaurants—we connect with our fans through their passions including sports, gaming, and music. We know that employees want a company they can live and grow with; they crave a unique culture that fosters creativity and encourages pursuit of passion, and they look for opportunities to take risks, develop skills and learn in ways that fit their lifestyle. We foster a culture of authenticity and believe all people can make a difference.

Work-Hard, Play-Hard:

• Company and performance related bonus
• Generous pension with up to 11% company contribution
• Private healthcare with the option to increase to include family cover and extra dental cover
• Annual holiday allowance starts at 25 days with the option to buy or sell up to 3 extra days per year
• 5 extra company recharge days a year
• After 5 years’ service, annual holiday allowance increases to 30 days
• We offer competitive parental leave and flexible return to work options
• Pick n Mix Benefits to convert them into your very own benefits plans that’s unique to you - options include gym membership, health screening and travel insurance
• Flexible working
• Opportunity to taste a lot of Taco Bell!
• Recognition based culture and unique, fun events year round
• Hybrid work schedule
• Discounts, free food, swag and… honestly, too many good benefits to name

At Taco Bell, we Live Más and invite you to do the same. Take a seat at our table. Bring your voice. Bring you, just as you are, a Cultural Rebel. We want you to be your best self! Taco Bell is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all dimensions of diversity.