Area Franchise Lead, Popeyes, LAC Mexico
Ready to make your next big professional move? Join us on our journey to achieve our big dream of building the most loved restaurant brands in the world.
Restaurant Brands International Inc. is one of the world's largest quick service restaurant companies with nearly $45 billion in annual system-wide sales and over 32,000 restaurants in more than 120 countries and territories.
RBI owns four of the world's most prominent and iconic quick service restaurant brands – TIM HORTONS®, BURGER KING®, POPEYES®, and FIREHOUSE SUBS®. These independently operated brands have been serving their respective guests, franchisees and communities for decades. Through its Restaurant Brands for Good framework, RBI is improving sustainable outcomes related to its food, the planet, and people and communities.
RBI is committed to growing the TIM HORTONS®, BURGER KING®, POPEYES® and FIREHOUSE SUBS® brands by leveraging their respective core values, employee and franchisee relationships, and long track records of community support. Each brand benefits from the global scale and shared best practices that come from ownership by Restaurant Brands International Inc.
About the Role
The Area Franchise Lead (AFL) – Mexico is a highly visible, business-critical role responsible for driving the performance, expansion, and long-term success of the brand across Mexico—one of the most strategic growth markets in the system.
Based in Mexico City, this role serves as the primary business and strategic liaison between franchise partners in Mexico and the global franchisor organization. The AFL owns a holistic view of the country’s performance across development, operations, profitability, and sales growth, coordinating five geographic regions and multiple franchise organizations. This role will report to the Lead AFL of the region.
With an ambition to grow the system to more than 400 restaurants over the next decade, this position plays a central role in shaping how the brand scales in Mexico—setting expectations, aligning stakeholders, and ensuring disciplined execution at every stage of growth.
Role Scope & Impact:
- Country-level role with responsibility across five geographic regions
- Direct influence on new store development, system profitability, and top-line growth
- Acts as the face of the brand to franchise partners in Mexico
- Works cross-functionally with global teams in Operations, Development, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Franchising
- Balances strategic planning with hands-on execution in a high-growth environment
Key Responsibilities :
Business Growth & Franchisee Partnership
- Serve as a point of contact for franchisees in Mexico, leading the relationship on behalf of the franchisor
- Act as a trusted business advisor to franchise leadership teams, influencing strategy, execution, and long-term value creation
- Ensure clear alignment between franchise partners and global brand priorities
- Represent franchisee perspectives internally while maintaining accountability to brand standards and performance expectations
Market Expansion & Development Leadership
- Drive & support the development strategy for Mexico in close collaboration with Development teams and franchise partners
- Drive alignment on growth priorities, development pacing, and market sequencing across regions
- Monitor development pipelines, timelines, and execution quality to ensure sustainable expansion
- Identify opportunities to accelerate growth and optimize regional portfolios
Operational & Financial Performance Ownership
- Maintain a comprehensive view of sales, profitability, operational execution, and guest experience
- Support performance reviews with franchisees and drive action plans to improve results
- Support franchisees in improving unit economics and long-term financial health
- Ensure results are reported with accuracy, transparency, and integrity
Cross-Functional Coordination & Execution
- Support cross-functional initiatives involving Operations, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Development
- Ensure national initiatives and system changes are executed effectively at the regional and restaurant level
- Act as the central integrator between global teams and local execution
Strategic Projects & Market Enablement
- Lead or support strategic projects related to market expansion, regional optimization, and system scalability
- Coordinate complex initiatives requiring alignment across multiple stakeholders
- Provide structured insights and recommendations to senior leadership
Qualifications:
- 4+ years of experience in QSR, franchise partnership, operations, development or relevant field
- Language Proficiency in both English and Spanish
- Ability to problem solve and be proactive in finding solutions
- Strong cross-functional relationships
- Travel: ability to travel frequently across Mexico’s regions and regular travel to Miami Headquarters
- Ability to present operational information both orally and written (PowerPoint)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
#Popeyes
Benefits at all of our global offices are focused on physical, mental and financial wellness. We offer unique and progressive benefits, including a comprehensive global paid parental leave program that supports employees as they expand their families, free telemedicine and mental wellness support.
Restaurant Brands International and all of its affiliated companies (collectively, RBI) are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers that do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, provincial or federal laws, rules, or regulations. RBI's policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment. Accommodation is available for applicants with disabilities upon request.
