Franchise Programs & Product Standards Manager

Job Title: Franchise Programs & Product Standards Manager

Location: Remote

Department: Franchise Business Support

Status: Regular, Full-Time

Direct Reports: None FLSA Category: Exempt

Reports to: VP, Franchise Business Support

Pay Grade: $65,000-$85,000 Annually

Relevant Work Experience: 4+ Years

Level: Mid-Level

Position Overview

The Franchise Programs & Product Standards Manager is responsible for growing sales in Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores and for making sure store teams have the programs, products, and hands-on support they need to sell. This individual turns Rocky Rewards, gift cards, and new product launches into measurable revenue, works directly with franchisees and store teams in the field to lift performance, and keeps the RMCF Cookbook, build sheets, and nutritional information accurate so every store can sell with confidence. The role works closely with Franchise Business Support, Learning & Development, Marketing, Operations, and the factory, and is measured on same-store sales, average ticket, program participation, and launch sell-through.

Key Responsibilities

Revenue Growth & Store Sales Performance

• Review store-level sales, transaction, and average ticket data each week to spot underperforming stores and products and build action plans with franchisees to close the gap.

• Develop and roll out in-store selling programs, including suggestive selling, add-on and attachment offers, bundles, and seasonal sales contests.

• Set sales targets for new products and limited-time offers (LTOs), track sell-through by store, and adjust support or allocation when results lag.

• Report on program and launch performance to the VP, Franchise Business Support, with clear recommendations on what to scale, change, or stop.

• Share best practices from top-performing stores across the system so other locations can replicate what works.

Rocky Rewards & Gift Cards

• Grow Rocky Rewards enrollment and use the program to increase visit frequency and average ticket, including member offers, targeted promotions, and in-store enrollment goals.

• Grow gift card sales across the system, including in-store displays, peak-season pushes, and corporate and bulk gifting orders.

• Partner with Marketing on rewards offers and gift card promotions for peak seasons, including holiday, Valentine's Day, Easter, and Mother's Day, and measure the sales lift from each.

• Administer both programs day to day, including member issues, point adjustments, the gift card vendor relationship, card inventory, store reconciliation, and enrollment and redemption reporting.

In-Store Support & Field Execution

• Visit franchise, company-owned, acquired, and licensee stores to coach owners and store teams on selling, merchandising, product presentation, and program execution.

• Support stores on-site and remotely during new product launches, seasonal resets, and peak selling periods so products are made, displayed, and sold to standard.

• Partner with the Learning & Development department on new program initiatives, training, and rollouts, so store teams are trained and ready before each launch.

• Train store teams on Rocky Rewards enrollment, gift card selling, and new store-made recipes, and follow up to confirm the training shows up in results.

• Serve as a go-to resource for store teams on product, program, and operational questions, resolving issues quickly so stores don't lose sales.

• Help acquired locations and licensee partners adopt RMCF programs, recipes, menu items, and labeling standards, with a focus on reaching system sales averages.

• Gather feedback from franchisees and store teams on what customers are buying and asking for, and bring it back to Marketing, Operations, and R&D.

Cookbook & Build Sheets

• Own the RMCF Cookbook as the single source of truth for store-made recipes, methods, and presentation standards.

• Write and maintain build sheets for new factory-made products, LTOs, and approved store-made items, including photos, yields, portion specifications, and merchandising guidance that helps stores sell the product.

• Partner with the Director, Company Store Operations & Onboarding Training on new store-made recipes, documenting tested recipes for seasonal build sheets and the Cookbook.

• Coordinate with R&D, the factory, and Purchasing so build sheets are complete and stores are ready to sell before a product ships.

• Review portioning and yields with store teams to protect product quality and store margins.

Nutritional, Ingredient & Calorie Information

• Produce and maintain nutritional and ingredient labels that meet FDA labeling requirements, including allergen declarations for existing and new store-made products.

• Calculate and publish calorie counts for caramel apples and other store-made products to meet federal menu labeling requirements and applicable state or local rules.

• Update labels and calorie data whenever a recipe, supplier, or ingredient changes, and maintain records that support every published value.

Qualifications

Experience

• 4+ years of experience in food service, retail, or franchise operations, including at least 2 years in a multi-unit, field, or support-center role.

• Proven record of growing store sales, average ticket, or program participation, with results you can quantify.

• Experience coaching store managers, owners, or franchisees in person to improve sales and execution.

• Experience running a loyalty or gift card program, including promotions, vendor management, and reconciliation.

• Hands-on experience writing recipes, build sheets, or operating standards used by store teams.

• Working knowledge of FDA nutrition labeling, allergen declaration, and menu calorie labeling requirements.

• Bachelor's degree in business, hospitality, food science, nutrition, or a related field preferred.

• Background in confectionery, bakery, or specialty food retail preferred.

Skills

• Strong sales and commercial instincts, with the ability to read store sales data and turn it into a specific plan.

• Confident, practical coaching and training style that works with franchisees and front-line store teams.

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, particularly with nutritional data and allergen information.

• Clear, concise writing for a store-level audience.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple product launches, promotions, and store visits at the same time.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel), Salesforce, POS reporting, and other business intelligence tools.

• Experience with nutrition analysis software such as Genesis R&D or ESHA preferred.

• ServSafe Manager certification preferred.

Travel

• Willingness to travel up to 30% within the United States to support franchise, company-owned, acquired, and licensee stores, with heavier travel during launches and peak seasons.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in office, store, and kitchen environments, stand for extended periods during store visits, lift and carry up to 50 pounds, and use confectionery tools and equipment, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Key Competencies

• Results-driven, with a focus on sales growth and a habit of measuring the impact of every program and launch.

• Comfortable in stores and with store teams, and quick to spot what's helping or hurting sales on the floor.

• Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy and compliance across the RMCF system.

• Passion for the RMCF brand and dedication to franchisee and store team success.