NRO and Franchise Training Manager

Position Summary

The New Restaurant Opening & Franchise Training Manager is responsible for leading training initiatives that support successful new restaurant openings and drive ongoing operational excellence across franchise locations. This role ensures new restaurants launch smoothly, brand standards are upheld, and franchise leaders are equipped with the leadership, operational, and financial capabilities needed to run high-performing, profitable operations.

In addition to opening support, this position oversees the development and delivery of continuous training programs for franchise above restaurant leaders, strengthening leadership effectiveness, operational consistency, and long-term business growth across the system.

Key Responsibilities

Franchisee Onboarding & Certification

• Lead comprehensive onboarding and training programs for new franchise owners.
• Deliver instruction on brand standards, operational systems, financial management, and leadership expectations.
• Guide franchisees through pre-opening readiness milestones and certification requirements.
• Assess franchisee competency and operational readiness prior to restaurant opening.

New Restaurant Opening (NRO) Support

• Lead and execute training plans for new restaurant openings, ensuring operational readiness.
• Develop and implement pre-opening training schedules for management and team members.
• Support on-site training during openings to ensure brand standards, service quality, and operational systems are executed effectively.
• Partner with Operations, Development, and Marketing teams to coordinate opening timelines and readiness checklists.
• Evaluate opening performance and provide post-opening support plans as needed.

Franchise Leadership Development

• Design and deliver leadership training programs for franchise owners and multi-unit operators.
• Coach franchise leaders on best practices in operations, team development, guest experience, and financial management.
• Develop training resources, toolkits, and operational guides to support franchise success.
• Facilitate workshops focused on building strong leadership capability and accountability.

Operational Excellence & Profitability

• Train franchise leaders on KPIs, cost control, labor management, revenue-driving strategies and effective use of systems to optimize operational performance.
• Provide coaching on scheduling, inventory management, LMS, CMX, and other operational systems to ensure accurate execution, compliance, and data integrity.
• Leverage LMS reporting to monitor training completion, certification status, and skill progression, ensuring alignment with operational standards.
• Utilize CMX audit results to identify compliance gaps, reinforce brand standards, and develop targeted action plans to improve operational execution.
• Analyze performance data and system reports to identify operational gaps, trends and improvement opportunities and provide targeted coaching.
• Ensure consistent execution of brand standards, food safety requirements, and operational procedures through disciplined system utilization, LMS compliance tracking, and CMX audit accountability.
• Drive consistency across franchise locations through structured training programs, system compliance monitoring, and follow-up evaluations to reinforce accountability and results.

Program Development & Continuous Improvement

• Lead new product launches and process rollouts, ensuring effective training, clear communication, and consistent execution across franchise locations.
• Facilitate Train-the-Trainer sessions with Franchise Business Consultants to strengthen field capability and ensure alignment.
• Develop and implement scalable training systems for franchise locations.
• Evaluate training effectiveness and refine programs based on performance metrics and feedback.
• Maintain current knowledge of industry trends and adult learning best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Hospitality, or related field (preferred).
• 7+ years of restaurant operations experience, including multi-unit or franchise environments.
• Experience leading new restaurant openings.
• Proven leadership development and training facilitation experience.
• Strong understanding of restaurant financials (P&L, labor, food cost, profitability metrics).
• Excellent communication, coaching, and presentation skills.
• Ability to travel frequently to support openings and franchise locations.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking with operational execution
• Leadership coaching and influence
• Project management and organization
• Financial and business acumen
• Adaptability in fast-paced, high-growth environments
• Relationship building with franchise partners

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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