National Site Development Director

Head Office – Cora Restaurants

Building the future of Cora means thinking big, together!

At Cora, every restaurant begins with the right location. As Director of Site Development, you will play a key role in the brand’s national growth by supporting franchisees and identifying prime locations across Canada.
This role sits at the intersection of strategy, commercial real estate and network development delivering tangible, high-impact results.

Your Role

Assist new franchisees in identifying locations

Research potential sites in Canada based on current Cora model, metrics and strategic plan

Assist new franchisees in negotiating OTL and lease documents

Work with commercial real estate brokers, property managers and property owners

Key Responsibilities

• Review potential site opportunities within specified expansion area and compile necessary documentation for evaluation/recommendation (end cap, freestanding, cannibalization, competitive mapping)
• Prepare market evaluations for potential expansion zones
• Develop and maintain good relations with landlords, property managers, developers and brokers
• Maintain up to date with respect to the Canadian commercial real estate market and industry, including trade areas, demographics, traffic count, visibility and other relevant criteria
• Review mapping tools, broker data and market reports
• Develop optimal metrics for site identification and for OTL review (e.g. location-specific rent rate, CAM, tenant improvement, free rent, timelines)
• Assist franchisees in negotiating/securing optimal OTL/lease deals, follow-up when necessary to migrate from OTL to lease
• Revise, analyze and verify the cost vs budget of restaurant opening and improve the model
• Facilitate financing process with prospective franchisees and work in conjunction with multiple financial institutions
• Review construction budgets and follow up
• Challenge supplier and contractor for competitive pricing
• Liaise between developer/landlord and contractor for project time/budget compliance
• Work under supervision of VP and with recruiting and construction directors as part of Cora’s Own your Own development program

Peripheral Job Responsibilities:

• Be involved when required with recruiting team or construction team
• Provide information for all tracking reports in a timely manner
• Attend any relevant training seminars
• Participate in interviews of candidates and trade show when required

Experience & Qualifications

• 10 years + of relevant experience with national or regional chain
• Fully bilingual
• Capacity to run pro forma modeling and use excel
• Restaurant construction process, equipment required, difference between landlord work and tenant work and capacity to estimate rough build-out costs
• Canadian commercial real estate, in particular urban/suburban areas, zoning and permitting
• Deep understanding of ho to identify sites that meet relevant criteria for breakfast and lunch restaurant
• Work with (and improve) internal documentary tools
• Commercial lease and OTL metrics and documentation
• Work within a franchise structure
• Legal training, a strong asset
• Brand development experience, an asset
• Construction plans, an asset
• Interviewing/hiring an asset
• Food and/or restaurant Industry knowledge an asset

Other Requirements

• Strong communication, strategic negotiation, organisation, autonomy and capacity to sum up, commercially minded, analytical skills
• Vehicle Required
• Traveling required

Why Join Cora

• A collaborative team environment where ideas are valued.
• A schedule where weekends start early!
• Group insurance, RRSP/TFSA/First Home Savings Account with employer contribution.
• A friendly, family-oriented atmosphere.
• Generous time off, snacks, a day off for your birthday, social activities, and more!