Director of Real Estate

If you’re looking for a purpose and not just a job, join the Smoothie King team and turn your purpose into a fulfilling passion!

Whether it’s your first job or your next career move, this is a place where your voice matters, your growth is supported, and your work has real impact.

We are not just the original smoothie brand; we are on a mission to inspire people to live a healthy and active lifestyle, because we are a brand that truly cares. We care about our team, creating a positive, supportive place to work. We care about our guests, helping them live healthier, more active lives. And we care about our communities, blending goodness into everything we do. With over 1,200 stores and counting, our success starts with our team! That’s why we focus on creating a workplace where people love to be; where teammates feel like family, and energy, fun, and positivity are part of the everyday culture.

Join us and become a part of our winning recipe: Hire the best people, use the best ingredients, and blend with a purpose.

Overview

The Director of Real Estate serves as the market owner for an assigned territory, accountable for regional development strategy, growth objectives, franchisee progress, and real estate execution. In close partnership with Franchise Sales and Development leadership, this role develops market-level growth plans, identifies opportunities to expand the brand, and converts qualified sites into approved, executed leases. The Director balances significant field travel and relationship development with territory planning, administrative oversight, pipeline reporting, and cross-functional coordination to achieve organizational growth targets.

Location: Remote (U.S.-based, near a major airport).

• Own the assigned territory as its real estate market leader; develop and execute regional market plans, prioritize growth opportunities, and manage progress against store development and lease execution goals.
• Partner closely with Franchise Sales to align territory availability, candidate demand, franchisee readiness, target intersections, and regional growth objectives; support market expansion and strategic development planning.
• Serve as the primary real estate contact for assigned franchisees; establish site-search milestones, maintain engagement, and address stalled development activity to advance regional growth.
• Identify, recruit, assign, and manage local real estate brokers; set expectations for market coverage, site submissions, tours, follow-up, and transaction progression.
• Own a high-volume pipeline from site identification through LOI, REC approval, lease negotiations, and execution; maintain realistic forecasts and proactively remove roadblocks.
• Evaluate demographics, traffic, access, visibility, competition, cannibalization, projected sales, occupancy costs, and franchisee investment economics to recommend viable sites and formats.
• Lead LOI and commercial lease-term negotiations, including rent, tenant improvements, delivery, signage, exclusives, and other material business terms within delegated authority.
• Partner with Legal on lease drafting and revisions; coordinate with Construction, Operations, Franchise Sales, and Development to resolve site and transaction issues.
• Prepare complete, accurate REC recommendations and supporting site packages, clearly identifying economics, opportunities, risks, and approval requirements.
• Maintain territory business plans, market priorities, accurate deal records, broker activity, milestone dates, documents, and forecasts in company systems; provide regular growth and pipeline reporting.
• Meet assigned regional growth and performance objectives for executed leases, REC activity, franchisee progression, deal conversion, cycle time, and forecast accuracy.
• Balance field-based market visits, broker and franchisee meetings, and proactive deal sourcing with remote administrative work, strategic planning, internal meetings, and timely follow-through.
• Own the assigned territory as its real estate market leader; develop and execute regional market plans, prioritize growth opportunities, and manage progress against store development and lease execution goals.
• Partner closely with Franchise Sales to align territory availability, candidate demand, franchisee readiness, target intersections, and regional growth objectives; support market expansion and strategic development planning.
• Serve as the primary real estate contact for assigned franchisees; establish site-search milestones, maintain engagement, and address stalled development activity to advance regional growth.
• Identify, recruit, assign, and manage local real estate brokers; set expectations for market coverage, site submissions, tours, follow-up, and transaction progression.
• Own a high-volume pipeline from site identification through LOI, REC approval, lease negotiations, and execution; maintain realistic forecasts and proactively remove roadblocks.
• Evaluate demographics, traffic, access, visibility, competition, cannibalization, projected sales, occupancy costs, and franchisee investment economics to recommend viable sites and formats.
• Lead LOI and commercial lease-term negotiations, including rent, tenant improvements, delivery, signage, exclusives, and other material business terms within delegated authority.
• Partner with Legal on lease drafting and revisions; coordinate with Construction, Operations, Franchise Sales, and Development to resolve site and transaction issues.
• Prepare complete, accurate REC recommendations and supporting site packages, clearly identifying economics, opportunities, risks, and approval requirements.
• Maintain territory business plans, market priorities, accurate deal records, broker activity, milestone dates, documents, and forecasts in company systems; provide regular growth and pipeline reporting.
• Meet assigned regional growth and performance objectives for executed leases, REC activity, franchisee progression, deal conversion, cycle time, and forecast accuracy.
• Balance field-based market visits, broker and franchisee meetings, and proactive deal sourcing with remote administrative work, strategic planning, internal meetings, and timely follow-through.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrated territory ownership, regional growth planning, site selection, deal sourcing, broker management, and commercial lease negotiation capabilities.
• Ability to partner effectively with Franchise Sales, drive franchisee engagement, manage competing territory priorities, and deliver measurable regional growth results.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical, problem-identification, and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently.
• Positive, collaborative attitude in high-pressure situations.
• High attention to detail while managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and coordinate communication across diverse teams.
• Promote the culture, values, and mission of Smoothie King.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant retail, restaurant, QSR, or franchise real estate experience, with demonstrated lease execution results.
• Experience managing retail site selection, franchisee or multi-unit operator relationships, and commercial lease transactions.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Working knowledge of commercial construction, utilities, site delivery, and retail development requirements.
• Proficiency in Excel, CRM/pipeline platforms, mapping tools, and real estate analytics; familiarity with AI-enabled tools, Sitewise or comparable site selection platforms, and FranConnect or similar franchise management systems.
• Personal passion for health and fitness is a plus.

Travel Required:

• Travel throughout assigned markets (50% - 75%) for field visits, property tours, broker meetings, franchisee engagement, and regional growth initiatives; remaining time includes administrative and strategic responsibilities.
• Must be able to travel via air and drive a vehicle for extended periods of time.
• In-state and/or out-of-state travel required

What We Offer

Join our team and enjoy an unusually fun work environment with an upbeat atmosphere and great team members. It is our purpose to maintain an environment our team members can brag about, where our focus and belief are built on our core values: We Are Better Together, We Keep Evolving, We Live Our Mission, We Do the Right Thing, and We Focus and Finish. With our core values at the forefront of every decision we make, it allows for collaboration, passion, and a no-limits mindset when it comes to your future! We keep our team happy with our great benefits package, free smoothies, flexible work schedules, office lunches and parties, monthly fitness challenges, free gym access, and more fun activities to make Smoothie King a happy and healthy place to work.

Our Mission

Inspire people to live a healthy and active lifestyle.

Our Vision

We make the world a better place by nourishing healthy habits.

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At Smoothie King, when we say inspire people, we mean everyone. We champion a diverse and inclusive workforce that is representative of the guests we serve. We blend the unique members of our brand, celebrating what is both common and different to grow better together and Rule the Day. The foundation of our diversity efforts is closely tied to our core values, which includes “We Are Better Together” and “We Do the Right Thing”. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified candidates, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status, veteran status, or medical condition or disability. If you are a person with a disability and you need assistance in applying for a position with Smoothie King, please call our People Services Department at 214-935-8900 and direct assistance will be provided.