Real Estate Manager

Job Description

Job Description

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Playa Bowls is New Jersey's Original Acai Shop, founded in 2014, and our mission is to bring superfruit bowls to the masses using only the freshest, highest quality ingredients while providing a fantastic in store brand experience. What began as a pair of blenders, a patio table, and a fridge has flourished into a 350+ unit operator and franchisor of the leading fast casual restaurant concept. Playa Bowls added 85 locations in 2025 and are on target to add 90+ new locations in 2026. Our continued rapid growth has created the opportunity for an individual who will help us with continuing to grow our brand!

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

• Location: Open within our national footprint near a major airport, with preference for Chicago, Dallas or Phoenix metro-based candidates.
• Playa Bowls has scaled to nearly 350 locations in just over a decade and is now focused on executing a disciplined, high-growth expansion strategy toward 2,000 locations. To support this growth, we are introducing a newly created Real Estate Manager role responsible for setting development strategies within an assigned territory and leading the end-to-end execution of new franchise restaurant openings in a profitable, sustainable, and accelerated manner.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

• Location: Open within our national footprint near a major airport, with preference for Chicago, Dallas or Phoenix metro-based candidates.
• Playa Bowls has scaled to nearly 350 locations in just over a decade and is now focused on executing a disciplined, high-growth expansion strategy toward 2,000 locations. To support this growth, we are introducing a newly created Real Estate Manager role responsible for setting development strategies within an assigned territory and leading the end-to-end execution of new franchise restaurant openings in a profitable, sustainable, and accelerated manner.

WHO YOU ARE

The Real Estate Manager drives execution of market plans through a team of real estate professionals to identify and assist franchise owners leasing sites. This role assists franchisees in site selection, letter of intent (LOI) negotiation, lease negotiation and provide education on leasing best practices Once sites are identified This role works closely with franchise sales team members, design & construction project managers, landlords and developers to ensure that all shop locations are physically appropriate and can be built out to Playa Bowls standards. They will work cross-functionally with a team of design & construction professionals supporting franchise owners in the new location buildouts. This position is field-based covering territories assigned by the VP of Real Estate. Restaurant Franchise and Corporate experience strongly preferred. We need an experienced, capable, quick-thinking and creative development professional to help us achieve our store growth goals.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Partners with franchise owners and company operators to encourage new store growth following the overall Market Plan.
• Consults, guides, trains, and assists franchise owners with site selection, site negotiation and presentation of real estate site packages to REC for brand acceptance
• Manages the workflow and oversees the relationship of the territory’s network of Playa Bowls approved real estate brokers employed by franchisees and master broker relationship
• Maintains a pipeline of real estate deals that is equal to 125% of Playa Bowls planned store opening requirements at the start of each fiscal year for the territory
• Educates and monitors franchisees, approved real estate brokers and attorneys on Playa Bowls site selection criteria and the real estate process
• Works closely with other members of the Construction & Real Estate departments to manage comprehensive, strategic growth, and asset management strategy.
• Tracks and closely monitors real estate deal progression from site selection, LOI negotiation, Lease negotiation to fully executed lease.
• Research and analyze existing and potential trade areas via demographic variables, pedestrian counts, activity generators, competition and space/site availability
• Utilizes necessary resources to resolve issues of encroachment and impact in a geographic area
• Tracks and manage document flow and projects accurate lease execution dates.
• Updates and reports data cross functionally on pending sites to ensure that site status is accurately represented
• Achieves period, quarterly and annual lease execution goals to ensure company shop opening plans can be met and proceed in a timely manner
• Perform other related duties, tasks and responsibilities as required, assigned and directed
• Maintain productive relationships with franchise owners
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with key industry stakeholders, including suppliers, developers, and community leaders, to facilitate growth opportunities

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• Education: Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Real Estate, Business Administration or Finance; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s degree preferred
• 5-7 years of experience in Real Estate or a related field
• 3-5 years of experience managing a franchise development environment, preferably in the QSR or fast-casual market
• Demonstrated knowledge/skill in market planning and implementation for “retail” real estate development, site selection, trade area analysis, real estate contract negotiation
• Knowledge of the real estate development process including broker management, negotiation, real estate contracts, demographic analysis, financial analysis, site plans, store design and permitting, and construction management
• Strong influence and negotiation skills with the ability to communicate with Senior Leadership
• Clear and effective communication across all media with people at various levels, internal and external
• Proficiency in MS Office, with Excel and PowerPoint skills and experience with Google Suite
• Knowledge of GIS analytics, and real estate related tools such as project management systems
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess market opportunities and make data-driven decisions
• Experience with FranConnect highly preferred
• Self-motivated with strong time and project management skills
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior

WORK CONDITIONS

• Must be able to traverse and inspect all areas of jobsite in all types of weather; this may include walking, climbing, reaching, bending, crawling, or stretching
• Ability to travel up to 40% of the time
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally
• Must be able to engage in problem-solving skills to help identify and solve potential issues

MISSION

Inspire and support our communities one bowl at a time.

VALUES

Real Deal. Playa Passion. Powerhouse. Big Wave Chaser. Dawn Patrol

“ Playa Bowls is an equal opportunity employer and all aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.”