Employee Job Description

Job Title: Manager, Development

Reports To: Vice President, Domestic Construction & Design

Department: U.S. Franchising & Development

Location: Atlanta On-site or Remote Texas

Revised: September 2026

Job Summary: The Development Manager will lead the technical evaluation of new restaurant sites from initial review through permit issuance. This role owns due diligence - coordinating architects, civil engineers, surveyors, and utility consultants; assessing jurisdictional compliance, feasibility, and development risk; delivering a clear go / no-go recommendation to Real Estate and Development leadership - and then carries approved sites through entitlement and permitting with the internal design team and outside vendor partners. This is a high-visibility position on the critical path of the company's new unit growth plan.

Key Duties/Responsibilities:
• Lead due diligence for new restaurant sites, from initial review through entitlement approval and permit issuance.
• Review Site Investigation Reports (SIRs) from architects, civil engineers, and consultants for completeness, accuracy, and unresolved risk.
• Evaluate sites for jurisdictional compliance, feasibility, and development risk.
• Manage entitlement and permitting strategy with local jurisdictions - pre-application meetings, submittal packages, and hearing schedules.
• Carry approved projects to permit issuance, coordinating building, site, health, fire, and utility permits and managing review cycles and comment responses.
• Direct the internal design team and outside vendor partners - architects, civil engineers, surveyors, utility consultants, and permit expeditors - through diligence, design, and permitting.
• Engage land use attorneys when zoning changes, variances, conditional use permits, or other special approvals are required.
• Develop and review conceptual site plans aligned with prototype standards and jurisdictional requirements; identify constraints impacting cost, schedule, operations, or constructability.
• Drive alignment between prototype standards, municipal requirements, and operational needs.
• Partner with Real Estate during site selection and approval, and hand off permitted sites to Design + Construction with budget and schedule inputs.
• Track milestones and permit status across the pipeline and escalate risks early.

Position Requirements (Education, Qualifications, Experience):
• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Architecture, Urban Planning, Construction Management, Real Estate Development, or a related field - or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years in site development, entitlements, or permitting for multi-site retail, restaurant, convenience, or commercial rollout programs.
• Ability to read and evaluate civil site plans, surveys, geotechnical reports, and utility studies.
• Working knowledge of zoning ordinances, land use approvals, variances, and municipal permitting processes.
• Experience managing external consultant teams and holding them to schedule and scope.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting risk and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Proficiency with project tracking tools and Microsoft Office; AutoCAD, Bluebeam, or GIS familiarity a plus.
• Preferred: prototype-driven restaurant or QSR development experience, multi-state entitlement work, public hearing or design review presentation experience, and familiarity with drive-thru, stormwater, and ADA site requirements.

Competencies:

• Critical Thinking -Defines and resolves a situation or problem by analyzing issues involved, weighing options, and evaluating alternatives; maintains objective attitude; approaches situations and problems systematically; uses observation, experience, reflection, and/or reasoning to drive business forward.
• Influencing Others -Convinces and persuades others in either positive or negative circumstances to accomplish goals and objectives; responds to objections successfully; uses tact when expressing ideas or opinions.
• Initiative -Acts proactively; addresses issues or opportunities without supervision; focuses on desired results and accomplishments; demonstrates clear purpose, enthusiasm, and a "can-do" attitude.
• Innovative and Creative -Looks for ways to improve oneself, the job, the project, the system, and the organization; challenges conventional practices, generates new ideas to create novel solutions to problems.
• Managing Execution -Manages multiple projects and effectively prioritizes tasks and goals; uses goals to guide actions and create detailed action plans; organizes and schedules people and tasks; utilizes resources effectively to meet goals.
• Negotiating -Presents issues or ideas in a clear and influential manner; maintains an open-minded and non-judgmental attitude; listens to others' views and empathizes.
• Relationship Management -Initiates and develops relationships with others; demonstrates credibility; confronts conflict quickly and professionally; inspires confidence in others.

Physical Requirements:

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Travel:

Approximately 20% travel for site visits, jurisdictional meetings, and public hearings, including occasional evening hearings. Office or remote-based with regular field time at prospective and active sites.