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Restaurant Development Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Leap Brands

Director of Franchise Sales

Tampa, FL · On-site

$80 - $120/hr

Fast Casual / Restaurant Franchise Development Employment Type: Full-Time We are seeking a Director of Franchise Sales to lead franchise development efforts for a growing fast‑casual restaurant ...

CFS

Accounting Processor

Orlando, FL · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

Opportunity to support restaurant development, remodels, and expansion initiatives * Stable organization with strong internal promotion opportunities * Collaborative team environment focused on ...

CFS

Accounting Processor

Orlando, FL · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

Opportunity to support restaurant development, remodels, and expansion initiatives * Stable organization with strong internal promotion opportunities * Collaborative team environment focused on ...

Naked Farmer Careers

Accounting Manager

Tampa, FL

Support financial tracking of new restaurant openings and capital expenditures * Partner with real estate and development teams to ensure proper accounting treatment of projects Cash, Treasury ...

Naked Farmer Careers

Accounting Manager

Tampa, FL

... Restaurant Development Support * Maintain lease accounting schedules in compliance with ASC 842 Manage fixed asset accounting including restaurant buildouts and equipment Support financial tracking ...

Naked Farmer Careers

Accounting Manager

Tampa, FL · On-site

... Restaurant Development Support * Maintain lease accounting schedules in compliance with ASC 842 • Manage fixed asset accounting including restaurant buildouts and equipment • Support financial ...

OTO Development

Restaurant Manager

Fort Walton Beach, FL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

About OTO Development OTO Development is an industry-leading hotel development and management ... Restaurant Manager Department: Food and Beverage Exempt Position Reports to: General Manager ...

Subway

Manager, Global Account

Miami, FL · On-site

$91K - $105K/yr

New Business Development Partner with the Franchise Sales Team and each FSC/military partner's development team to identify, evaluate, and open new restaurant locations, prioritizing captive, non ...

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Restaurant Development information

See Florida salary details

$7

$16

$24

How much do restaurant development jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for restaurant development in Florida is $16.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.12 and $17.98 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is restaurant development?

Restaurant development refers to the process of planning, designing, and opening new restaurant locations or expanding existing ones. This role involves site selection, negotiations with landlords, managing construction or renovations, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Restaurant development professionals work closely with architects, contractors, and business leaders to bring new dining experiences to market and support a brand's growth strategy.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in restaurant development?

To thrive in Restaurant Development, you need expertise in site selection, market analysis, project management, and a background in business, real estate, or hospitality. Familiarity with real estate management systems, geographic information systems (GIS), and relevant certifications such as Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) is often valuable. Strong negotiation, relationship-building, and communication skills help you collaborate with stakeholders and drive successful project outcomes. These skills ensure effective expansion, minimize risks, and support long-term growth for restaurant brands.

What are some common challenges faced in a restaurant development role, and how can candidates prepare to address them?

Professionals in Restaurant Development often navigate challenges such as site selection in competitive markets, adhering to zoning or regulatory requirements, and aligning new locations with brand standards. Candidates can prepare by developing strong analytical skills for market research, gaining familiarity with real estate negotiation, and building relationships with local authorities and contractors. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—such as operations, marketing, and design—is also key to ensuring successful openings and long-term profitability.

What is the difference between Restaurant Development vs Restaurant Manager?

AspectRestaurant DevelopmentRestaurant Manager
Primary FocusExpanding and opening new restaurant locations, strategic growthOverseeing daily restaurant operations, staff management
Required CredentialsBusiness or hospitality degree, experience in expansionHospitality management, customer service skills
Work EnvironmentCorporate offices, site visits, project planningRestaurant floor, staff supervision
Industry UsageUsed by restaurant chains, franchisorsUsed by individual restaurant outlets and chains

Restaurant Development focuses on strategic growth, site selection, and opening new locations, often working in corporate settings. In contrast, a Restaurant Manager handles daily operations, staff, and customer service at an existing restaurant. Both roles are vital but serve different stages of a restaurant's lifecycle.

How do you become a restaurant development?

To become a restaurant development professional, you typically need experience in restaurant management, real estate, or hospitality, along with strong project management and negotiation skills. A bachelor's degree in business, hospitality, or a related field is often preferred, and familiarity with industry regulations and market analysis is beneficial.

What are popular job titles related to Restaurant Development jobs in Florida?

For Restaurant Development jobs in Florida, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Restaurant Development jobs in Florida look for?

The top searched job categories for Restaurant Development jobs in Florida are:

Restaurant Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Restaurant Development job openings in Florida as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,934 per year, or $16.3 per hour.

Vice President, Franchise Sales & Business Development

Red Lobster

Orlando, FL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Red Lobster rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 261 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

45th of 88 rated restaurants

Job description

Overview
Role Overview
The Vice President of Franchise Sales & Business Development is responsible for driving the strategic growth of the company's franchise system through new franchise sales, market expansion, and long-term development partnerships. This role leads the end-to-end franchise sales process-from prospecting and lead qualification through deal structuring and execution-while building a scalable, disciplined franchise growth engine aligned with the company's brand, operational standards, and financial objectives.
This officer will serve as a key external ambassador to the franchise and investor community and a trusted internal partner to Operations, Finance, Legal, Real Estate, and Marketing to ensure sustainable, high-quality growth.
Key Responsibilities
Franchise Sales Strategy & Growth Execution
  • Develop and execute a comprehensive franchise sales strategy to achieve short- and long-term development goals across domestic and international markets.
  • Build and manage a robust franchise sales pipeline, ensuring disciplined lead qualification, progression, and conversion.
  • Identify and pursue strategic multi-unit, area development, and master franchise opportunities aligned with the brand's growth strategy.
  • Establish territory prioritization, market entry sequence, and investment criteria to drive high-quality expansion.

End-to-End Franchise Deal Leadership
  • Lead all stages of the franchise sales lifecycle, including prospect engagement, discovery, site pipeline dialogue, financial review, and deal negotiation.
  • Partner closely with Legal on franchise agreements, area development agreements, letters of intent, and related deal structures.
  • Collaborate with Finance to evaluate franchisee financial capability, unit economics, royalty forecasts, and long-term return profiles.
  • Ensure franchise candidates are operationally and financially positioned for long-term success.

Investor & Franchisee Relationship Management
  • Act as a senior representative of the brand with franchise prospects, investors, private equity groups, developers, and international partners.
  • Build credibility and trust with sophisticated franchise operators and institutional partners.
  • Maintain an active presence within the franchise and restaurant development community through conferences, industry events, and targeted outreach.

Cross-Functional Partnership
  • Partner with Franchise Operations to ensure alignment between sales commitments and operational readiness.
  • Work closely with Real Estate on site strategy, development timelines, and market feasibility.
  • Collaborate with Marketing on franchise recruitment positioning, sales materials, and lead-generation strategies.
  • Ensure seamless handoff from franchise sales to onboarding and opening support teams.

Sales Infrastructure, Reporting & Governance
  • Develop best-in-class franchise sales tools, presentations, and materials that clearly articulate the brand value proposition.
  • Establish pipeline management discipline, CRM utilization, performance metrics, and regular reporting to executive leadership.
  • Track and report on key KPIs including leads, conversion rates, deal velocity, units sold, and signed development agreements.
  • Ensure compliance with all franchise disclosure, regulatory, and ethical standards.

Team Leadership & Capability Building
  • Build, lead, and develop a high-performing franchise sales and business development team.
  • Set clear performance expectations, coaching standards, and accountability mechanisms.
  • Foster a results-oriented, relationship-driven, and ethical sales culture.

Qualifications & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree or advanced business degree preferred.
  • 8+ years of progressive experience in franchise sales, business development, or multi-unit restaurant development.
  • Proven track record of closing complex franchise transactions, including multi-unit and area development deals.
  • Deep understanding of franchising models, FDDs, unit economics, and franchisee financial evaluation.
  • Strong executive presence with the ability to influence external investors.
  • Demonstrated ability to scale franchise systems while maintaining brand integrity and operational alignment.
  • Willingness and ability to travel extensively to support development objectives.

Key Competencies
  • Strategic franchise growth leadership
  • High-level sales negotiation and deal structuring
  • Relationship management with sophisticated investors
  • Financial acumen
  • Cross-functional collaboration

What Red Lobster employees say

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