Development Manager

Founded in San Antonio, Texas, in 1952, Church's Texas Chicken® is a highly recognized brand name in the Quick Service Restaurant industry and is one of the largest quick service chicken concepts in the world. Church's Texas Chicken serves up a rich tradition of gracious Southern hospitality and freshly prepared, high quality, authentic home-style fare, to help people provide affordable, complete meals for their families. Church's® menu includes its world famous Original and Spicy chicken, chicken sandwiches with classic sides, and hand-made from scratch Honey-Butter Biscuits ™ . The Church's® system consists of more than 1700 locations in 20 countries and system-wide sales of $1.6 billion. Throughout the world the company operates two brands: Church's Texas Chicken® and Texas Chicken®

Job Title: Manager, Development

Church's Texas Chicken is seeking a high-performing Manager, Development to lead the technical evaluation, entitlement, and permitting of new restaurant sites from initial review through permit issuance. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Domestic Construction & Design , this high-visibility role sits on the critical path of our new unit growth strategy.

This position is open to either on-site in Atlanta or remotely in Texas , you will own the due diligence process and deliver crucial go/no-go recommendations to senior leadership.

What You’ll Do

• Drive Due Diligence: Lead site evaluations, review Site Investigation Reports (SIRs), and assess jurisdictional risks, zoning ordinances, and utility feasibility.
• Navigate Entitlements & Permitting: Manage local municipal relationships, spearhead pre-application meetings, and secure building, site, health, and fire permits.
• Direct External Partners: Manage and hold accountable outside architects, civil engineers, surveyors, and permit expeditors to keep projects on schedule and within scope.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner closely with Real Estate during site selection and ensure a seamless, budgeted handoff to the Design + Construction team.

What You’ll Need

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Urban Planning, Construction Management, or Real Estate Development (or equivalent experience).
• Experience: 5+ years in site development, entitlements, or permitting specifically for multi-site retail, restaurant, convenience, or commercial rollout programs.
• Technical Skills: Ability to read civil site plans, surveys, and geotechnical reports. Familiarity with Microsoft Office and project tracking tools (AutoCAD, Bluebeam, or GIS is a plus).
• Preferred Qualifications: Experience with QSR/drive-thru development , multi-state entitlements, public hearings, stormwater management, and ADA site requirements.
• Travel: Ability to travel approximately 20% for site visits, jurisdictional meetings, and occasional evening hearings.