Real Estate Development Intern Jobs in California

CHAGEE (pronounced CHAH-jee) is a modern teahouse with more than 7,500 locations globally.

We are a global brand with proud roots in Yunnan, committed to bringing people together through tea. CHAGEE is awakening a modern tea movement, grounded in authentic heritage, fueled by cutting edge innovation, and crafted to nourish body and spirit.

Overview:

Elevate your career with CHAGEE as a Sr. Manager, Real Estate.

Through our stores across China, Asia Pacific, and the United States, we serve a staggering 100 million cups of tea monthly. CHAGEE is excited to expand its presence in the US market. This is your chance to be part of an exhilarating journey as we deliver the taste of authentic tea culture to America.

The Modern Tea Movement starts with you. At CHAGEE, we're connecting the world through modern tea - making friends, pouring tea, and building careers along the way. Join a team rooted in tradition, fueled by purpose, and scaling a global movement across North America.

Chagee is seeking a dynamic and deal-focused Real Estate Manager to drive site acquisition and lease execution for new store development across California. This role will be responsible for identifying high-potential locations, negotiating leases, and managing broker and landlord relationships to support Chagee's aggressive market expansion strategy. The ideal candidate has strong experience in retail real estate, a deep understanding of California's urban and suburban trade areas, and a proven track record of securing prime retail locations.

What you'll do:

• Develop and execute market and trade area strategies aligned with CHAGEE's North America growth plan, including cluster sequencing and persona allocation (Core, High Profile, Flagship).
• Identify, evaluate, and secure new retail store locations throughout California in line with Chagee's brand and growth strategy.
• Classify each proposed site into Core, High Profile, or Flagship persona and ensure alignment between role, design complexity, and economic targets.
• Support a portfolio mix heavily weighted toward scalable Core units, with disciplined use of High Profile and Flagship locations as strategic brand builders.
• Manage site selection process, including working with local brokers, conducting trade area tours, and presenting recommendations to leadership.
• Negotiate LOIs and lease agreements with landlords and developers to secure favorable terms and ensure timely deal closures.
• Collaborate with the Real Estate Analyst to evaluate market data, demographic trends, and competitor positioning.
• Partner with internal teams (Construction, Legal, Finance, Operations) to drive cross-functional alignment from site approval through store opening.
• Structure deals to align with CHAGEE's capex and occupancy cost targets; clearly flag and justify any exceptions requiring leadership escalation.
• Partner with Finance to model sensitivity around rent, TI, and sales assumptions to ensure capital-efficient growth.
• Maintain and grow strong relationships with landlords, property owners, brokers, and key local stakeholders.
• Prepare and present site packages for internal real estate committee approvals, ensuring clarity on market rationale and financial implications.
• Monitor and report on deal pipeline status, milestone tracking, and deal performance post-opening.
• Stay up to date on zoning laws, permitting requirements, and retail market trends across key California markets.
• Support lease renewals, relocations, and portfolio optimization as needed.
• Protect CHAGEE's premium positioning by prioritizing high-quality trade areas with strong residential density, meaningful AAPI presence, and strong afternoon/evening demand drivers.
• Avoid opportunistic site selection that compromises long-term brand positioning or scalability.
• Identify follow-on opportunities within approved markets to build logical clusters that improve brand visibility, operational leverage, and marketing efficiency.
• Contribute to the development of best-in-class real estate processes, scorecards, and approval frameworks to support disciplined North America expansion.

Experience you need to be successful:

• 5-7 years of retail real estate experience, including market planning, site selection and lease negotiation; F&B or QSR experience is preferred.
• Proven track record of sourcing and securing sites in complex, competitive retail markets-particularly in California.
• Strong knowledge of lease structures, deal terms, and trade area evaluation methods.
• Excellent negotiation, relationship management, and communication skills.
• Familiarity with GIS, mapping tools, and market analysis platforms.
• Ability to travel frequently across California to conduct site visits and landlord meetings.
• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate trade areas using demographic, traffic, and consumer data.
• Experience supporting premium, design-forward, or brand-sensitive retail concepts is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in high-growth or early-stage retail environments where systems are being built alongside expansion.

What We Offer:

• Hybrid work schedule for a balanced life
• 401K with company match to secure your future
• Yearly bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• On-site fitness center and wellness programs
• Exclusive discounts at our tea locations, theme parks, and gyms
• Generous paid time off starting at 15 days, plus 7 federal holidays
• Opportunities for continuous education and scholarships
• Income protection including Disability, Life, and AD&D insurance
• Bereavement leave for those difficult times

Join our team and be part of a brand that's as refreshing as our tea! We're excited to see how your talents will help us grow and create memorable experiences for our customers.

The estimated total cash compensation for this position is $101,400-$152,100, inclusive of base salary and estimated bonus. Final compensation will be determined based on the selected candidate and may vary depending on factors including (but not limited to): relevant knowledge and experience, skills, education, certifications, overall qualifications, and your specific work location.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to be at the forefront of CHAGEE's expansion into the US market. Join us in shaping the future of premium tea culture and creating unforgettable experiences that will captivate American tea enthusiasts. Apply now and be part of something truly extraordinary!

CHAGEE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.