President - Restaurant Brand
Job Description
President, Canada | Fast-Casual Restaurant Franchise
Gecko Hospitality is recruiting a President to launch a U.S. fast-casual concept in Canada and lead its national expansion. The concept pairs a focused menu built around premium products with the speed and convenience of fast-casual service. The Canadian development plan calls for 65+ restaurants, starting with company-owned locations and expanding through franchising. This is an opportunity to open the first Canadian restaurants, build the local leadership team, and establish the operating standards & model that future franchisees will follow.
What you’ll lead
Turn the Canadian development plan into a phased rollout, setting market priorities and opening milestones.
Lead the opening of the first company-owned restaurants and use what you learn from those locations to refine the model for franchise growth.
Build relationships with prospective franchisees and help select operators who can grow the brand in their markets.
Establish the training, opening support, and operating standards franchisees need to run successful restaurants.
Build the Canadian team and work closely with ownership and the U.S. brand team to adapt the concept for Canadian guests while maintaining brand standards.
Track development progress, restaurant performance, and unit economics to guide expansion decisions.
What you bring
Senior leadership experience in a fast-casual or quick-service restaurant (QSR) business.
A proven track record of scaling a multi-unit restaurant brand, with direct responsibility for opening locations and growing across markets.
Hands-on franchisee experience, gained by operating franchised restaurants or working directly with franchise owners on openings, operations, and performance.
The ability to earn credibility with franchisees by understanding the investment, staffing, and day-to-day operating decisions they face.
Strong commercial judgment and experience building teams and operating systems that can support a growing restaurant network.
Compensation
- $200,000–$250,000
- Remote
- Bonus program
- Equity
If you’ve helped scale a restaurant brand and want to lead its Canadian launch from the first opening through franchise expansion, we’d like to hear from you. Apply in confidence through Gecko Hospitality. Send your resume to scotts@geckohospitality.com
