When our square shaped burgers made their first sizzle on the scene more than 50 years ago, people knew our approach wasn’t like any other. Same goes for the way we support our employees. Our culture of openness, flexibility, and inclusiveness allows everybody to flourish in their own way. If you’re looking for a career where you can be part of the action as we continue to grow our iconic brand – We got you! 

The Director, US Franchise Management, is the integral leader and business partner for all non-operations franchise matters.  This leader will lead a global COE and drive results in the following areas:  1) Through impeccable relationship management, drive full compliance and accelerate revenues from renewals, reimaging, new builds, full and partial transfers, and collection of delinquent accounts.  2) As the SME, direct the development and execution of global best-in-class financing programs (both non-recourse and recourse) to unlock new restaurant development and provide for System Optimization requirements.  3)  Lead the development and implementation of a best-in-class Black/Women and Minorities franchising program in North America and then evaluate for global expansion.  Responsible for ensuring these programs deliver commitments in the AOP/LRP.  This leadership position directs global franchising policies and processes for transfers of franchise ownership, franchise compliance (including Image Activation administration), new franchise grant administration, franchise renewals, and Joint Capital Planning.  Responsible for directing the approvals new restaurant development and significant problem resolution on a wide range of business issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead a global COE to develop and execute policies and processes to improve global results and consistency in the franchise system.  Through impeccable relationship management, drive franchise compliance and accelerate revenues from renewals, reimaging, new builds, and transfers.  Provides counsel to franchisees on a wide range of business and contractual issues.
• Leads partnerships with COO, Operations DVPs, New Restaurant Development, Quality Assurance, Accounting, System Optimization and Finance leaders to address non-compliant franchisees through the global Franchise Open Issues process.  Works closely with Franchise legal to document terms to drive resolution. This leader will also drive compliance reporting and exception requests.
• Acting as the SME within the COE, this leader will direct the development and maintenance of global best-in-class franchise financing programs to unlock new development and finance ownership changes within the franchise system.  This leader also determines the acceptability of, and reviews/approves/rejects Wendy’s consent to: A) The sale of franchise rights from one franchisee to another (full transfers); and B) Minor franchise ownership changes (partial transfers).  The transfer review process includes partnering with finance to conduct detailed analysis of the proposed transaction.  Directs all internal and external efforts associated with the review and approval of these transactions. Governs and owns corporate policy for global franchise transactions as well as country specific requirements.
• Lead the development and implementation of a best-in-class franchising program for black/women/minority owners.  This will include the development and implementation of nonrecourse and recourse financing programs designed to support this strategy.  This will be launched in US and Canada initially and then reviewed for additional international opportunities.  This will include working closely with the USLT, GLT, Franchise recruiting and Franchise legal to develop and launch the program.
• Directs US new franchise grants ensuring all parties’ (corporate, field and franchisee) requirements are satisfied, and each new restaurant is in full compliance with Wendy's policies and procedures. 
• Reviews/approves/rejects US franchise Real Estate Letters (REL) and New Restaurant Acceptance Requests (NRARs) through required expandability criteria including financial, operational, AR and CEC concerns.
• Directs US Joint Capital Planning (JCPs) to drive franchise commitments for reinvestment and growth.  This includes the engagement of a cross-functional Wendy’s team to establish the optimal long term asset/capital plans and confirm the appropriate financial resources are available to deliver on the comittments.  Facilitates succession planning discussions with franchisees regarding current and future ownership of the franchise.
• Directs dispute resolution among US franchisees, and/or between the Company and such franchisees, to maximize system benefits and to resolve conflicting positions in a fair and equitable manner. Evaluate and manage global franchise financial assistance requests (royalty, WNAP and/or rent relief) and franchise workouts for franchisees who are experiencing financial and/or operational issues. Review legal documentation to ensure business terms are documented accurately.
• Directs the approval of all US Company and Franchise restaurant system updates (eg: openings, closings, royalty/WNAP rates, field alignment changes) systemwide and franchise incentives processed within the Wendy's systems.  Ensure the accuracy of all company and franchise databases (SiteHub, Gateway, etc.) utilized by other departments, including Accounting, Engineering, IT and Operations where the franchise maintenance data resides. Oversee internal and external audit reviews/approvals of monthly, quarterly and year-end system revisions.

• 8 - 12 years of general business management experience with emphasis in franchise, operations, and/or finance and good foundation in business acumen.
• College degree (BA/BS), business, law, finance, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Detailed knowledge of Company franchise related policies and procedures both domestic and international.
• Knowledge of law (franchise, real estate, contract, business), real estate and financial management/accounting development policies and procedures.

Expected Work Location (In Office): It is expected that you will primarily perform work at the Wendy's Restaurant Support Center (RSC) (1 Dave Thomas Blvd, Dublin, OH 43017), or at other location(s) as designated by the Company. You are required to work in the office at least 4 days a week. Changes to work location arrangements are subject to managerial approval and business needs. #LI-Onsite 

  

  Wendy’s was built on the premise, "Quality is our Recipe®," which remains the guidepost of the Wendy's system. Today, Wendy's and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the world's most thriving and beloved restaurant brand. 

  

The base pay range for this position is listed below. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and budget for the open position and also may vary depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other relevant factors. This range does not include an estimated value for any benefits, bonus, or other incentives that may be applicable based on position. The target annual bonus for this role is 25% of annualized base salary, based on actual company and personal performance. 

  

Our square burgers make us different and so do our benefits! Our restaurant support roles are eligible for a wide array of benefits, including things such as parental leave, free EAP sessions, company 401k match and other great offerings. For more details about our benefits, including an overview of eligibility and terms for certain benefits, please visit our benefits website, www.wendysbenefits.com. 

  

NOTE: Wendy’s benefits, bonus, and other incentives are governed by the applicable legal plans and policies and, where appropriate, may be subject to Board approval an individual award agreement terms. Those documents supersede all other information regarding Wendy’s benefits, bonus, and other incentives. Wendy’s retains the right to amend or terminate its plans and policies at its sole discretion, in accordance with applicable plans, policies and laws. 

Education: Bachelor's Degree

Travel: 20%

Pay Range: $142,000 - $256,000 Annually