At KFC, we pride ourselves on being original — Be You. We are hiring a Senior Development Manager in the United Arab Emirates, responsible for delivering growth through profitable restaurant expansion and always-fresh restaurants, including remodels and relocations when required. In partnership with franchisees, the SDM builds and monitors the pipeline for store openings to achieve the company’s expansion program.
About the Role
Core Mission: Delivering growth through profitable restaurant expansion and always-fresh restaurants
Franchisee Partnership: Works with real estate, construction, and general management teams
Seniority: The most senior manager in the Development department, reporting to the Sr Director Development
Culture: KFC’s inclusive “Be You” culture, welcoming every individual’s story and drive
Career Opportunity in UAE Restaurant Development
Strategic Location: United Arab Emirates — a key growth market for KFC’s restaurant expansion
Cross-Functional Leadership: Coordinates with Operations, Marketing, Supply Chain, R&D/QA, HR, and Finance
External Relationships: Works with franchise General Managers, consultants, vendors, and senior development executives
Career Growth: A senior leadership role driving expansion across one of the world’s leading QSR brands
Position Overview
This Senior Development Manager role involves understanding competition, trade-zones, and customer behaviors in the field, validating location and asset types chosen by franchisees. You will own and monitor the new store pipeline, provide solutions to enhance pipeline quantity and quality, challenge the business model to lower hurdle sales, ensure the restaurant portfolio stays fresh through remodels and relocations, and steer suppliers, vendors, and consultants to deliver profitable expansion on time.
Why This Role Matters:Â As Senior Development Manager at KFC, you drive the physical growth strategy behind one of the world’s most recognized restaurant brands across the UAE, own the full new store pipeline from site validation through delivery, work closely with franchisees to build long-term capability and brand consistency, coordinate across nearly every business function from design to finance, and take on the most senior role within the Development department, reporting directly to the Sr Director Development.
Key Responsibilities
Site Selection & Pipeline Ownership
- Understand competition, trade-zones, and customer behaviors to challenge and validate franchisee location and asset choices
- Own and monitor the new store pipeline, ensuring timely delivery and keeping stakeholders informed
- Provide solutions to enhance new store pipeline quantity and quality
Business Model & Portfolio Management
- Constantly challenge the business model to lower hurdle sales of new stores, in partnership with design, operations, and equipment teams
- Ensure the restaurant portfolio stays “fresh,” executing remodels and relocations when trade zones change
- Ensure franchisees adhere to brand standards for new builds and refurbishment programs
Franchisee & Vendor Development
- Continuously enhance franchisee capabilities through tools, training, and best-practice sharing
- Steer and develop suppliers, vendors, and consultants to deliver profitable expansion on time
- Ensure all Franchise Partners meet global equipment standards
Coordination & Industry Awareness
- Coordinate and ensure all related function approvals during remodel and new store approval processes
- Keep abreast of restaurant industry practices within Yum and competitors regarding development plans and Capex efficiencies
🎓 Qualifications & Requirements
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field from a reputable institution
Experience Requirements
- 8+ years of Business Development experience in retail, with proven retail real estate expertise
- Strong business and cultural understanding of the Middle East market
Essential Skills
- Strong commercial acumen, project management, and process-oriented approach
- Ability to work effectively across functions and influence stakeholders at all levels
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for senior internal and external stakeholders
- Strong critical thinking and analytical capabilities to evaluate risks and opportunities
- Highly organized, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with partners, suppliers, and cross-functional teams
About Working at KFC
At KFC, everyone is different, unique — it’s what makes The Originals special. KFC welcomes individuality, grit, energy, spirit, and drive, valuing people no matter what through an inclusive culture where everyone has a seat at the table. KFC feeds employee potential and supports team members to be their best selves, make a difference, and have fun, working together to be part of something truly extraordinary.
Career Excellence: Drive KFC’s restaurant expansion strategy across the UAE as the department’s most senior manager.
 Who Should Apply?
- Retail Real Estate Professionals:Â With 8+ years of business development experience
- QSR/Franchise Development Managers:Â Experienced managing new store pipelines and franchisee relationships
- Middle East Market Experts:Â With strong regional business and cultural understanding
- Cross-Functional Project Leaders:Â Skilled influencing stakeholders across design, operations, and finance
- Urban Planning & Business Graduates:Â With a track record in commercial real estate expansion
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