ABOUT SMOKEY MO'S TX BBQ

Smokey Mo's TX BBQ is a beloved Central Texas barbecue brand known for slow-smoked meats, made-from-scratch sides, and the kind of genuine Texas hospitality that keeps guests coming back. Founded in Austin and grown across the Lone Star State, Smokey Mo's has built a loyal following through an unwavering commitment to quality, community, and authentic pit-master tradition.

As we enter an exciting new phase of strategic growth, we are seeking a seasoned franchise development executive to lead our expansion and bring the Smokey Mo's experience to guests across Texas and beyond.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Vice President of Franchise Development is a critical senior leadership role responsible for driving Smokey Mo's franchise growth strategy from end to end — from prospecting and lead generation to franchisee validation, territory development, and onboarding. This leader will build and manage a high-performing development team, cultivate a robust pipeline of qualified franchise candidates, and ensure that every new franchisee is set up for long-term success aligned with our brand standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Franchise Growth Strategy

• Develop and execute a multi-year franchise development plan aligned with Smokey Mo's growth targets
• Identify target markets and trade areas across Texas and key expansion states
• Establish annual unit growth goals and report pipeline progress to executive team
• Conduct competitive and market analyses to inform strategic territory prioritization

Lead Generation & Sales

• Build and manage a qualified franchisee pipeline through broker networks, trade shows, digital campaigns, and referrals
• Lead all franchise sales activities from initial inquiry through execution of franchise agreements
• Qualify candidates against defined financial, operational, and cultural criteria
• Guide prospective franchisees through the full discovery and validation process

Franchisee Onboarding & Relations

• Collaborate with Operations, Training, and Marketing to deliver a best-in-class onboarding experience
• Serve as the strategic partner to new franchisees during the pre-opening phase
• Ensure new franchisees are fully equipped to uphold Smokey Mo's brand standards from Day One

Franchisee Ongoing Relationship Management

• Serve as primary point of contact for franchisees.
• Build strong relationships and provide ongoing support.
• Monitor performance and provide coaching.
• Ensure compliance with brand standards.
• Conduct regular business reviews.
• Resolve issues and support growth opportunities.

Leadership

• Own and optimize the franchise development process and tools
• Ensure full compliance with FDD disclosure requirements and federal/state franchise regulations
• Partner with legal counsel to manage franchise agreements, renewals, and transfers

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 5+ years of franchise development experience, with at least 3 years in a director-level or above capacity
• Demonstrated track record of closing franchise deals and growing a franchise system
• Deep knowledge of FDD requirements, franchise law, and compliance best practices
• Experience in the restaurant, food & beverage, or hospitality franchise sector strongly preferred
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• Proficiency with CRM platforms and franchise development technology stacks
• Willingness to travel up to 40% for candidate meetings, discovery days, and industry events

Preferred

• Experience with Texas-based or regional restaurant concepts
• Existing relationships within the FranConnect, FranChoice, or Fransmart broker ecosystems
• MBA or related advanced degree
• IFA membership and CFE designation a strong plus

WHY SMOKEY MO'S?

• Established brand with a fiercely loyal Texas customer base and proven unit economics
• Franchise-friendly culture with a collaborative, people-first leadership team
• Significant white space opportunity across Texas and adjacent markets
• Authentic product that practically sells itself — because Texas BBQ is not a trend, it's a way of life
• Competitive compensation with meaningful upside tied to franchise growth performance