Franchise Growth Lead

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Franchise Growth Lead

🔹 Company: KFC Europe Careers

🔹 Location: Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom

🔹 Job Type: On-site

🔹 Category: Restaurants

🔹 Date Posted: July 4, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (with up to 30% travel)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving outstanding performance across franchisee operations through data analysis and coaching.
• Identifying growth opportunities and implementing innovative operational initiatives.
• Collaborating with multiple franchisees across 14 countries to achieve commercial success.
• Building operational capability by mentoring franchisees and sharing best practices.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of analytical skills, communication, and relationship-building to succeed in a dynamic, international environment.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Data-Driven Commercial Impact (40%)

• Dive into operational performance metrics and KFC LISTENS Guest Experience data to unlock critical insights and address root causes for continuous improvement.
• Transform raw data into powerful, actionable recommendations tailored for franchisees and internal stakeholders.
• Combine restaurant visits with in-depth franchise operational reviews to deliver hands-on coaching and identify impactful commercial strategies.
• Play a pivotal role in launching innovative operational initiatives and cutting-edge systems aimed at enhancing efficiency and profitability.

✅ Building Operational Excellence (30%)

• Work hand-in-hand with franchisees to overcome operational challenges through strategic coaching, mentoring, and sharing of best practices. Co-develop actionable short- and long-term plans designed to achieve exceptional results.
• Evaluate partners against World-Class Operational Capability benchmarks and co-create strategies to elevate KPIs.
• Support new store openings and refurbishments with meticulous operational readiness and comprehensive training programs.
• Collaborate with the Restaurant Excellence (REX) team to create seamless change management strategies for key projects and initiatives.
• Leverage unannounced restaurant visits to gain authentic insights into guest experiences and operational realities in the market.
• Celebrate the hard work and contributions of restaurant teams while ensuring follow-ups on agreed processes, systems, and tools alongside franchise operations and HR teams.

✅ Safeguarding the Brand (15%)

• Uphold KFC’s high standards by monitoring compliance through ROCC audits, feedback loops, and targeted coaching.
• Promote and champion food safety, cleanliness, and outstanding service at all franchise locations.
• Oversee layout approvals for new or remodeled restaurants and manage operational handovers for New Store Openings.

✅ Empowering Communication (15%)

• Cultivate trust-based relationships with all stakeholders by becoming a reliable and empathetic point of contact.
• Serve as the franchisees’ voice within the organization, understanding their challenges while utilizing negotiation and conflict-resolution skills to align with business goals.
• Inspire excellence by cascading expertise and know-how to elevate franchise operators to best-in-class levels.

✅ Collaborate closely with HRBP and Field Training teams to ensure franchisees have robust training materials and resources to succeed.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of adaptability, as it involves working with diverse franchisees across multiple countries and markets.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Hospitality, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 3-5 years of experience in QSR, hospitality, or retail operations—ideally within a dynamic franchise setting

Required Skills:

• Exceptional analytical skills, with proficiency in Excel and familiarity with cutting-edge BI tools
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Proactive approach and willingness to travel up to 30%
• Fluency in English; knowledge of additional European languages is a plus

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in a similar role within the franchise industry
• Familiarity with KFC or other QSR brands

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in international franchise operations or cross-cultural team management may have an advantage in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £45,000 - £55,000 per annum (based on experience and location)

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package
• Opportunities for career growth and development
• International travel opportunities

Working Hours: Full-time, with up to 30% travel

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the United Kingdom. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: KFC Pan Europe is part of the global Yum! Brands family, operating in the restaurant industry with a focus on quick-service restaurants (QSR).

Company Size: KFC Pan Europe has 10,001+ employees and operates in 40 countries with over 2,200 restaurants.

Founded: KFC was founded in 1930 by Harland Sanders, with the first international franchise opening in the United Kingdom in 1965. KFC Pan Europe is a regional division of the global brand.

Company Description:

• KFC Pan Europe is the iconic chicken restaurant brand with a unique history of innovation and success.
• The company is passionate about high-quality, finger lickin’ good chicken and has a secret recipe that it cannot share.
• KFC Pan Europe has a heart-led, welcoming culture where employees can be their best selves, make a difference, and have fun.

Company Specialties:

• Operations
• Marketing
• Digital & Technology
• Supply Chain Management
• Legal
• Finance
• Development
• People, Culture & Purpose

Company Website: KFC Europe Careers

ASSUMPTION: KFC Pan Europe is a well-established brand with a strong global presence and a focus on growth and innovation.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a mid-level position within the franchise operations team, offering opportunities for growth and development.

Reporting Structure: The Franchise Growth Lead reports directly to the KFC CEE Operations team and collaborates with various internal teams, franchisees, and global counterparts.

Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with up to 30% travel required to visit franchisees across 14 countries.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression within the franchise operations team or other departments within KFC Pan Europe
• Expansion of responsibilities and leadership opportunities as the franchisee base grows
• International assignments or secondments to other KFC regions

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: KFC Pan Europe has multiple offices across Europe, with this role based in Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom.

Office Location(s): Avenue de Rhodanie 40c, Lausanne, Vaud 1007, CH; Madrid, ES; Paris, FR

Geographic Context:

• Woking is a town in Surrey, England, with a population of approximately 100,000 people.
• Surrey is a county located in the South East of England, known for its beautiful countryside and proximity to London.
• The United Kingdom offers a diverse and multicultural environment, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with up to 30% travel required

ASSUMPTION: The work environment for this role is dynamic and international, with a focus on collaboration and growth.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video screening
• In-person or video interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
• Final interview with senior leadership

Key Assessment Areas:

• Analytical skills and problem-solving abilities
• Communication and relationship-building skills
• Cultural awareness and adaptability
• Alignment with KFC's values and company culture

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Be prepared to discuss your approach to data analysis, coaching, and mentoring
• Demonstrate your understanding of the franchise business model and KFC's brand

ATS Keywords: Franchise Growth, Operations, Data Analysis, Coaching, Mentoring, Commercial Success, International, Travel, QSR, Hospitality, Retail, Relationship Building, Problem Solving, Strategic Planning, Guest Experience, Compliance, Food Safety, Training, Collaboration, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Business Acumen

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is likely to be comprehensive, with a focus on assessing the candidate's analytical skills, cultural fit, and alignment with KFC's values.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Excel
• Cutting-edge BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
• Project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana)
• Video conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for the industry and can be learned quickly by candidates with relevant experience.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Grounded in winning
• Celebrating and recognizing success
• Welcoming and belonging
• Winning together

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Data-driven and analytical
• Adaptable and resilient
• Customer-focused and guest-centric

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you approach data analysis and turning insights into actionable recommendations?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully coached or mentored someone to achieve exceptional results?
• How do you handle working with diverse teams and stakeholders in an international environment?

ASSUMPTION: KFC Pan Europe values candidates who are passionate, proactive, and committed to delivering outstanding results in a dynamic, international environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple franchisees with varying levels of operational maturity and compliance
• Balancing the need for data-driven decision-making with the need for quick, agile responses to market trends and opportunities
• Navigating cultural differences and language barriers when working with franchisees across 14 countries
• Ensuring consistent brand standards and quality across a diverse franchisee base

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome through strong communication, relationship-building, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on driving franchisee growth and operational excellence across multiple countries
• Similar roles within the franchise industry may have a more narrow focus, such as a specific region or function (e.g., marketing, supply chain)
• Career progression in this role may involve expanding responsibilities or moving into a regional or global leadership position

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on franchise operations and growth within a global brand.

📝 Sample Projects

• Conducting a comprehensive operational review of a struggling franchisee and developing a tailored turnaround plan
• Identifying trends in guest experience data and implementing targeted initiatives to improve satisfaction and loyalty
• Collaborating with the REX team to roll out a new operational initiative or system across the franchisee base

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the data-driven, collaborative, and strategic nature of the role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the most significant operational challenges facing KFC franchisees in the region and how this role addresses them?
• How does the company support the professional development and growth of franchise operations team members?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days, and how will my success be measured?
• How does KFC Pan Europe foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within its franchise operations?
• What are the most rewarding aspects of working in a dynamic, international environment like KFC Pan Europe?

ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate a proactive approach to understanding the role, the company, and the cultural fit.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the KFC Europe Careers job portal
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare for your interview by researching KFC's brand, franchise business model, and industry trends
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of your interview to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.