Since 1940, Dairy Queen® has been one of the world’s best known and loved brands. Based in Minneapolis, MN, International Dairy Queen Inc., (IDQ), is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation. As a leading franchisor, there are more than 7,000 independently owned and operated restaurants in the U.S., Canada and more than 20 countries around the world. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire) which is led by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire.

Here at IDQ, we create extraordinary Fan experiences every day and we do this through our commitment to hiring and retaining only the best in class talent. We firmly believe that our employees are the catalyst to the success of the company where their initiative, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit are recognized and rewarded. We're looking for motivated, passionate and dedicated individuals with an inherent need and ambition to go after bigger challenges.

The Vice President of Franchise Development is responsible for leading the development of the company’s objectives and strategies for new restaurant development in the United States and Canada. The VP also leads and manages the Franchise Development teams’ execution of their strategies to achieve the company’s development objectives which include traditional food and treat concept development, and non-traditional development in captive venues. With respect to both the United States and Canada, the Vice President is responsible for managing the company’s development market planning, franchise sales, franchise developers, and franchise development administrative staff; for assuring effective coordination in the execution of the company’s new unit development activities with the Operations, Design/Architecture/Construction, Legal, and Franchise Administration departments; for developing and managing the market planning and site analytics functions and for achieving the annual and long term Franchise Development new unit opening and financial plans.

The Vice President reports to the Chief Operating Officer (U.S./Canada) and manages a team of approximately 11 staff. The position interacts with other direct reports of the Chief Operating Officer, and frequently with the Vice Presidents and Area Vice Presidents/Regional Directors of Operations, the Sr. Director of Design, Architecture and Construction and the entire Design and Construction staff, as well as the Equipment, Legal and Franchise Administration teams.

Travel will range from 10 to 15 days per month throughout the United States and Canada to collaborate with staff, meet with existing and new franchisee prospects, review sites/markets, lead staff meetings, attend conventions as well as corporate and franchisee meetings.

Key Accountabilities Include:

Developing Functional Strategies

• Lead the development of the company’s short (annual) and long-term objectives and strategies (3-5 year) for new restaurant development in the United States and Canada.
• Lead the development of tools and technology for development market planning, project management, and process improvement for efficient new store development timelines. Provide developed technology for cross-functional use as appropriate.
• Lead and manage the implementation and execution of the company’s new unit development strategies to achieve the Company’s development objectives.
• Develop and manage the company’s strategies and tactics relating to development market planning, franchisee development planning, creation of development programs and incentives, and provide input on IDQ’s Franchise Disclosure Document.

Oversight and Management of Development Process

• Approve site clearances for prospective projects and manage process upon receipt of contiguous Franchisees’ concerns regarding proposed new sites.
• Manage the U.S. and Canadian Franchise Development teams’ evaluation of each prospective existing and new franchisee, trade area and site evaluation and the team’s presentation of franchisee applications and proposed site approval packages to the Company’s Development Review Committees. Is a member and manages the Development Review Committees Coordinate with Franchise Development administrative staff to ensure timely and accurate compliance with all applicable state and federal franchise disclosure laws and regulations, and the timely issuance and execution of franchise agreements and other contracts required of new restaurants.
• Interface with members of development team and related departments to ensure approved franchisees complete the development process and open new restaurants successfully and in a timely manner.
• Ensure compliance with all corporate procedures and legal guidelines relative to the development of new restaurants.

Leadership and Management of Department

• Attract, critically evaluate, and build a competent, high-performance team. Coach, mentor and develop team members to ensure the skills and expertise needed in today and tomorrow’s franchise development organization. Set objectives with each direct report at least once a year and give regular meaningful feedback. Work closely with human resources to develop annual incentive plans for each franchise developer.
• When necessary, travel to potential franchisee sites with franchise developers to coach franchise developers and support them as appropriate.
• Facilitate weekly team meetings to ensure that the franchise development, design/architecture/construction, equipment, training and development operations teams are focused on the achievement of performance goals, share best practices, and communicate information affecting team. Facilitate 1-2 strategic planning meetings per year with development team and appropriate cross functional team members.
• Recognize contributions of team members on an ongoing basis; celebrate individual and team accomplishments.
• Maintain a positive and ethical work climate that is conducive to attracting, retaining, and motivating a diverse group of top-quality employees.

Additional Responsibiltiies

• Manage annual budget for franchise sales and real estate teams to achieve both performance objectives and financial commitments. Establish long term goals with strategies/tactics for successful performance.
• Direct the planning of franchisee marketing activities and initiatives.
• Provide periodic training to Operations staff relating to franchisee recruitment requirements, tools, and processes to assist them in their work with existing franchisees relative to additional restaurant development.

Education/Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree is required, MBA preferred, with an emphasis in business preferred.
• Must have a minimum of 12-15 years progressively responsible experience in franchise development leadership experience (including franchisee recruitment, site selection, market planning and real estate development), required.
• Minimum of 10 years managing employees, including managing management-level leaders. Track record of building a competent, high-performance team, establishing clear expectations; monitoring progress and results on an ongoing basis; actively coaching employees to develop their skills; regularly providing feedback on employees’ strengths and when they are performing well; providing constructive feedback on areas to develop; creating focus on the right priorities; eliminating roadblocks.

Skills:

• Highly refined, demonstrated franchise recruiting and site selection skills.
• Superb relationship-building and communication skills to effectively administer new growth in a Franchisee based system.
• Strong working knowledge of finance, operations, design, and construction.
• Highly refined oral and written communication skills to successfully conclude sales presentations and effectively communicate with various parties related to the franchise restaurant development process.
• Ability to create new and innovative solutions in response to changes in the industry, strategic objectives of the company, or market opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and understand complex contracts and other development-related documents (including franchise agreements, financing documents, letters of intent, purchase agreements, leases, etc.).
• Knowledge of technology and products within industry for market planning, project management.
• Excellent organization skills to track and provide guidance on multiple (200+) projects.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.  

Benefits

Our benefit package supports the well-being of our employees and their families.  Our comprehensive benefit package includes, medical, dental, 401K match, paid time off (including volunteer time as well as parental leave) and so much more!  To learn more about our great benefit offerings,Click Here.

Work Environment

Most positions located out of our global headquarters in Bloomington, MN will work a hybrid work schedule where you will work 2 collaboration days a week.  Additional in office time may be required to support team/project needs.  Positions will be identified as “remote eligible” when consideration will be given to candidates outside of drivable distance to our Bloomington office.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion for all who touch DQ.  We believe in and commit to fostering a community where employees bring their authentic selves to work; where we recruit, engage and retain employees, franchise owners and suppliers with diverse background and identities; and where everyone feels welcome engaging with our DQ brand.

IDQ is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values the strength diversity brings to the workplace. IDQ participates in the US E-Verify program.  You must be work authorized in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.