New Business Development Consultant

Red Ember Recruitment is seeking a dynamic and experienced New Business Development Consultant for our client, based in Woodstock. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving business growth through strategic site identification, lease negotiations, stakeholder relationship management, and franchise expansion initiatives across South Africa and potentially other African regions. Responsibilities Include, but Are Not Limited To : Lead Generation & Site Identification Generate at least five high-potential leads within the first three months. Create and maintain a dynamic list of target sites for new developments, taking into consideration the different brands within the portfolio. Conduct market research to identify upcoming opportunities in malls, high-traffic streets, and developing urban nodes, and align these opportunities with the appropriate brands. Lease Negotiation & Site Acquisition Lead lease negotiations for new store locations, takeover leases, and the renewal of existing leases. Evaluate white-box and iconic site opportunities for strategic growth and expansion. Collaborate with operations, compliance, and finance teams to structure lease agreements aligned with business objectives. Stakeholder Relationship Management Build and maintain strong relationships with key landlords, including Redefine, Old Mutual, Liberty, and Attacq. Maintain ongoing communication and foster trust with franchisees throughout the leasing and site selection process. Serve as the primary liaison between landlords, developers, and internal project teams. Franchise & Expansion Support Support franchisees with site feasibility assessments and location strategies. Align new site selections with brand positioning and demographic targeting strategies. Host monthly new business development seminars and conferences with landlords, potential franchisees, current franchisees, and other key stakeholders. Financial & Feasibility Analysis Collaborate with finance and operations teams to assess ROI, sales projections, and occupancy costs. Conduct feasibility studies to ensure selected sites meet the criteria and operational requirements of the relevant brand. Ensure lease agreements align with the company’s strategic and financial objectives. Reporting & Analysis Attend and actively contribute to weekly development team meetings. Provide monthly progress reports on new business development activities. Deliver quarterly board updates on development performance and pipeline progress. Maintain updated restaurant leasing files and documentation for each location. Travel Requirements Travel extensively within South Africa for site inspections, landlord engagements, and stakeholder meetings. Potential travel to other African countries for regional expansion opportunities. Requirements Qualifications & Requirements Franchise experience of minimum 3 years. Must have knowledge and operational experience within the restaurant industry. Must have a financial background in terms of franchise agreements and management accounts. Experience dealing with leasing.