Vice President - Franchise & International Legal

WHO WE ARE

We’re not in the wing business. We’re in the flavor business. It’s been our mission to Serve the World Flavor since we first opened in 1994, and we’re just getting started. 1997 saw the opening of our first brand partner operated Wingstop location, and by 2002 we had served the world one billion wings. It’s flavor that defines us and has made Wingstop one of the fastest growing brands in the restaurant industry.

Above all else – our success is largely due to our people and our core values, or what we call The Wingstop Way of being entrepreneurial, service-minded, fun, and authentic. We believe having a strong people foundation centered on these collective values creates a crave-worthy culture and talented team, as well as ensures our brand is poised for accelerated growth. We all win together.

WHAT WE’LL NEED

The VP, Franchise & International Legal leads the legal strategy supporting Wingstop's domestic franchise system and international growth. Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, this leader will provide practical, forward-looking counsel that enables disciplined expansion, protects the brand, strengthens Brand Partner relationships, and manages legal and regulatory risk across a highly franchised business. This is a hands-on, player-coach role: the VP will personally lead priority franchise and international matters while building a scalable process and operating model.

This role will serve as the primary legal partner to Franchise Development, International, Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, Marketing, Technology, and other business leaders on franchise and cross-border matters. The VP will combine deep franchise expertise with sound commercial judgment, translating legal requirements into scalable solutions that support Wingstop's growth while maintaining appropriate standards, controls, and accountability.

• Set and lead the legal strategy for Wingstop's domestic franchise system and international expansion, including market-entry assessment and franchise-model strategy, aligning legal priorities with the company's growth strategy, risk appetite, and operating model.

• Advise on the full lifecycle of domestic franchise relationships, including franchise disclosure documents, franchise and area development agreements, transfers, renewals, restructurings, defaults, terminations, and other franchise system matters.

• Lead the legal work for international market entry and growth, including market-entry assessments, master franchise and territory development agreements, strategic development structures, partner due diligence, cross-border negotiations, market-specific legal requirements, and hands-on management of local counsel.

• Partner with Franchise Development, International, Operations, Finance, Tax, Supply Chain, Marketing, Technology, and other teams to structure commercially sound solutions and identify legal implications early in business planning and decision-making.

• Establish a consistent, risk-based approach to franchise governance and enforcement, including development obligations, brand standards consistent with enterprise intellectual property strategy, quality controls, contractual remedies, and responsible management of Brand Partner issues.

• Advise on international regulatory and compliance considerations, including competition, consumer protection, advertising, data privacy, intellectual property, and other cross-border requirements; coordinate with the appropriate Legal and Compliance leaders on global anti-bribery, sanctions, and related compliance-program matters, and with subject-matter experts and local counsel as needed.

• Lead relationship strategy, remediation, and business resolution for franchise and international disputes through clear agreements, disciplined documentation, early issue resolution, and practical counseling; partner with the VP, Legal - Commercial on litigation, investigations, preservation, insurance coordination, and formal dispute strategy.

• Partner with Legal Operations to build scalable playbooks, templates, approval standards, knowledge resources, self-service tools, and technology-enabled workflows that improve consistency, speed, and visibility across recurring franchise and international work.

• Lead and develop assigned legal professionals and manage external and local counsel to deliver coordinated, high-quality, and cost-effective legal support across jurisdictions.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.

• 12+ years of progressive legal experience, including significant experience advising franchisors and substantial in-house or embedded business-partner experience; experience with a restaurant, QSR, hospitality, retail, consumer, or other highly franchised global brand is strongly preferred.

• Deep knowledge of U.S. franchise law and regulation, including franchise disclosure, registration, development agreements, franchise agreements, relationship laws, transfers, renewals, defaults, and terminations.

• Demonstrated experience supporting international franchising, master franchise or territory development arrangements, cross-border transactions, market entry, and the practical management of local counsel and legal requirements across multiple jurisdictions.

• Strong commercial and financial acumen with the ability to understand growth objectives, evaluate business tradeoffs, and provide clear, risk-based recommendations rather than purely technical legal advice.

• Working knowledge of international regulatory issues such as anti-bribery, sanctions, competition, consumer protection, data privacy, intellectual property, and cross-border contracting, with the judgment to engage specialists when needed.

• Proven ability to lead complex negotiations, resolve sensitive franchise relationship matters, and influence executives and cross-functional leaders in high-stakes or ambiguous situations.

• Demonstrated leadership capability, including developing legal talent, managing outside counsel, and building effective partnerships across cultures, functions, and geographies.

• Commitment to scalable, technology-enabled legal delivery, including standardized processes, reusable content, workflow automation, data-informed decision-making, and responsible use of AI.

• Excellent written and verbal communication, executive presence, and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.

WHO YOU ARE 

No job is too small. You recognize that the real work happens in the restaurants, and everything we do should support their success. You stay humble, roll up your sleeves, and always look for ways to help. You learn from others and contribute wherever you can.

You care deeply about doing great work and driving results. You’re curious, ask questions, and seek out opportunities to improve. You don’t just point out problems—you bring solutions, ideas, and perspectives that move the team forward.

You take full responsibility for your work and see things through to completion. You aren’t afraid to fail because you know that failure is a part of learning and growth. You take action, move fast, and keep pushing forward.

You lead with empathy, respect, and emotional intelligence. You collaborate effectively, fostering a culture of trust and constructive feedback. You understand the importance of teamwork and ensure that your actions build others up rather than break them down.

You push yourself and others to be better. You embrace healthy conflict, knowing that great ideas and strong teams emerge from honest, constructive conversations. You believe that leaders create leaders and are committed to fostering a culture of growth, challenge, and continuous improvement.

BENEFITS

FLAVOR PERKS:

• Unlimited paid time off for exempt employees

• One paid volunteer day of your choice

• Competitive bonus structure for eligible roles

• Team member stock purchase plan

• Health savings or flexible spending account options

• 401k – (dollar for dollar on the first 3% and then 50 cents on the dollar for the next 2% for team member contributions up to 5% of eligible compensation)

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits

• Basic life and AD&D insurance provided

• Pet insurance

• Education Assistance

• Wellness reimbursement program

• Paid maternity and paternity leave

FUN IS THE BEST FLAVOR:

• Lunch provided every Tuesday and Thursday in office

• Discount on Wingstop gift cards

• Onsite game room

Wingstop provides equal opportunities for everyone that works for us and everyone that applies to join our team, without regard to sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, any service, past, present, or future, in the uniformed services of the United States (military or veteran status), or any other consideration protected by federal, state, or local law.