Our client is one of fastest growing franchisee of Zaxbys, one of the nations leading restaurant brands, known for our craveable chicken, friendly service, and vibrant restaurant atmosphere. The Real Estate Development Manager will be responsible for overseeing the development of new Zaxbys restaurants. This includes managing all aspects of the development process, including land acquisition, entitlement, permitting, and construction. The successful candidate will be a strategic, detail-oriented professional with experience in real estate development, project management, and navigating the complexities of opening new restaurant locations. The role will also involve partial travel between our markets in Nashville, TN, and South Carolina.
Responsibilities:
- Land Acquisition & Site Selection: Identify and evaluate potential sites for new Zaxby's locations. Work closely with real estate brokers, property owners, and local municipalities to secure optimal sites.
- Entitlements: Manage the entitlement process, including zoning, land use, and other approvals, to ensure compliance with local regulations and successful project delivery.
- Permitting: Manage the construction and building permitting process with local municipalities.
- Construction Oversight: Partner with architects, contractors, and construction teams to monitor the progress of construction and resolve any issues that arise. Maintain schedules and prepare budgets to ensure timely project completion.
- Project Management: Act as the Companys owners rep on multiple projects. Oversee the entire development process, including site preparation, construction, and project coordination. Ensure that each restaurant is built on time, within budget, and according to brand specifications.
- Travel & Multi-Market Coordination: Role will be located in Nashville, TN, and will require partial travel to South Carolina markets, managing alignment between regional teams.
Qualifications:
- 5+ years of experience in real estate development, construction management, or a related field, with a focus on restaurant or retail development.
- Proven track record of successfully managing the full life cycle of commercial real estate projects, from site acquisition to construction and opening.
- Strong knowledge of permitting, zoning, entitlements, and local regulatory requirements.
- Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
- Ability to travel frequently between Nashville and South Carolina (approximately ~25% travel).
- Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
- Detail-oriented with a solutions-driven mindset, capable of navigating challenges and resolving issues effectively.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management software.
- Bachelors degree or similar.