FRANCHISE OPERATIONS MANAGER

Chainsmoker Barbecue | Head Office

Location: Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Ontario

Employment Type: Full-Time

Compensation: Competitive salary, based on qualifications and experience

Travel: Regular travel throughout Canada and the United States

About Chainsmoker Barbecue

Chainsmoker Barbecue is a growing restaurant franchise brand committed to delivering exceptional barbecue, outstanding customer service, and consistent dining experiences across our locations in Canada and the United States.

As our franchise network continues to expand, we are seeking a highly organized, proactive, and results-driven Franchise Operations Manager to oversee restaurant operations, enforce franchise standards, strengthen franchisee relationships, negotiate with suppliers, and support new restaurant openings.

The successful candidate will work closely with Head Office management, franchisees, suppliers, and our marketing team to ensure our restaurants operate efficiently, consistently, and profitably.

Key Responsibilities

1. Franchise Operations & Compliance

• Oversee and monitor daily operations across franchise locations.
• Conduct regular restaurant visits, operational inspections, and compliance evaluations.
• Ensure franchisees comply with franchise agreements, company policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and brand standards.
• Monitor food quality, portion control, customer service, cleanliness, and restaurant presentation.
• Identify operational deficiencies, implement corrective action plans, and follow up to ensure timely resolution.
• Maintain professional, constructive relationships with franchise owners while consistently enforcing company standards.

2. Restaurant Performance & Profitability

• Monitor restaurant sales, food costs, labour costs, inventory, and overall operating performance.
• Analyze financial and operational reports to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Work with franchisees to improve efficiency, reduce unnecessary expenses, and increase profitability.
• Recommend and implement improvements to restaurant operations and procedures.
• Prepare regular performance reports and operational recommendations for Head Office.

3. Supplier Management & Negotiations

• Maintain relationships with approved food, packaging, equipment, and service suppliers.
• Negotiate competitive pricing, purchasing terms, and supply arrangements.
• Monitor supplier performance, product quality, consistency, and delivery reliability.
• Resolve supplier-related issues, including product shortages, quality concerns, and delivery delays.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising food quality or brand standards.
• Ensure franchise locations comply with approved supplier and product requirements.

4. New Franchise Store Openings

• Coordinate operational preparations for new franchise locations in Canada and the United States.
• Work with franchisees, contractors, suppliers, and Head Office to ensure stores are operationally ready.
• Assist with equipment, inventory, POS systems, and supply-chain coordination.
• Organize pre-opening operational training.
• Conduct pre-opening inspections and verify compliance with brand standards.
• Provide on-site operational support during store openings and the initial operating period.

5. Training & Operational Development

• Train and support franchisees and restaurant management teams on company procedures and brand standards.
• Develop, maintain, and improve operational manuals, checklists, and SOPs.
• Identify training needs and coordinate refresher or corrective training.
• Promote consistency in food preparation, portioning, customer service, and restaurant operations.

6. Marketing & Promotional Support

• Collaborate with the Marketing Manager to coordinate local store marketing initiatives.
• Assist franchisees in implementing company-wide promotions, advertising campaigns, and marketing programs.
• Monitor compliance with approved promotional materials and brand guidelines.
• Provide operational feedback to the Marketing Manager regarding promotional effectiveness and customer responses.
• Support initiatives to increase local customer traffic and restaurant sales.

7. Head Office Coordination & Reporting

• Serve as a key liaison between franchisees and Chainsmoker Barbecue Head Office.
• Communicate new company policies, procedures, and operational initiatives.
• Prepare franchise inspection reports, performance summaries, and corrective action plans.
• Escalate significant operational, compliance, or franchisee concerns to Head Office management.
• Support special projects related to franchise expansion and operational improvements.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of restaurant management or operations experience, preferably in a multi-unit restaurant or franchise environment.
• Strong knowledge of restaurant operations, food safety, inventory management, cost control, and quality assurance.
• Experience in franchise operations, multi-location management, or restaurant compliance is strongly preferred.
• Valid Food Handler Certification recognized in Ontario is mandatory. Advanced Food Safety Manager or supervisory certification is an asset.
• Valid driver's licence and ownership of a reliable personal vehicle are mandatory, as regular travel to franchise locations is required.
• Valid passport and authorization to travel to the United States are mandatory, including a valid U.S. visa where required.
• Must be willing and able to travel to franchise locations throughout Canada and the United States for operational inspections, franchisee support, training, and new store openings.
• Experience in supplier management, purchasing, pricing negotiations, and vendor coordination.
• Strong leadership, organizational, communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams.
• Familiarity with restaurant point-of-sale (POS) systems and operational reporting.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and follow through on commitments.
• Flexibility to visit restaurant locations as operational requirements dictate.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who is:

• Hands-on and proactive - Comfortable visiting restaurants, identifying issues, and implementing solutions.
• Firm but diplomatic - Able to enforce franchise standards while maintaining positive franchisee relationships.
• Results-driven - Focused on increasing sales, controlling costs, and improving profitability.
• Highly organized - Able to manage multiple restaurant locations, suppliers, projects, and deadlines.
• A strong negotiator - Confident working with suppliers to secure favourable commercial arrangements.
• Accountable and dependable - Takes ownership of responsibilities and follows through without constant supervision.
• Growth-oriented - Motivated to contribute to the continued expansion of Chainsmoker Barbecue.

Why Join Chainsmoker Barbecue?

• Be part of a growing restaurant franchise brand operating in Canada and the United States.
• Work directly with Head Office management and company decision-makers.
• Play an active role in franchise development, new restaurant openings, and operational improvements.
• Enjoy a dynamic position combining Head Office responsibilities with restaurant visits.
• Make a measurable impact on the success and profitability of our franchise network.

How to Apply

Interested applicants are invited to submit their resume and a brief introduction highlighting their relevant restaurant management, multi-unit operations, or franchise experience.

Please indicate in your application whether you possess:

• A valid driver's licence and your own reliable vehicle.
• A valid Food Handler Certificate recognized in Ontario.
• A valid passport and authorization to travel to the United States, including a visa if required.
• Join Chainsmoker Barbecue and help us build a stronger, more profitable, and successful franchise network!