Store Development Manager

At Caribou Coffee we create day-making experiences that spark a chain reaction of GOOD!  This is our purpose.  Our team brings this to life by focusing on what’s really important – TEAM, GUEST, BUSINESS!  It’s that simple.  If you’re ready to work somewhere you can be yourself while making an impact on your community, creating life-long relationships, and serving the best coffee around, join our herd!  Apply today and be part of the ‘Bou Crew!

Position Overview:
The Store (Coffeehouse) Development Manager is responsible for the end-to-end development of new Caribou Coffee locations, serving as the single point of accountability from site identification through store opening. This role owns the full lifecycle of each assigned project, including market strategy, site selection, deal negotiation, entitlements, design coordination, construction execution, and operational handoff, ensuring stores open on time, on budget, and aligned with brand and operational standards.

Your expertise in research, analysis, and negotiation will be key to assessing opportunities for acquiring additional locations, land, or buildings and investigating potential property acquisitions or dispositions. You’ll stay ahead of the curve by monitoring market trends and competitor activity, ensuring Caribou remains a strong presence in the industry.

The Store Development Manager will also and negotiate purchase or leasing agreements. You will partner with cross functional teams, facilitating the smooth execution of real estate development projects and reporting on critical store development milestones and mitigating any risk of delivery.
 

Core Responsibilities
Real Estate Acquisition and Pipeline Development

• Own assigned market pipelines and deliver approved sites through coffeehouse openings.Manage assigned territory market strategy and strategic growth plan by partnering with marketexperts and brokers to gain insights into current market conditions, trade area strengths andpotential challenges.
• Secure alignment on market penetration plan and timing with senior management and RegionalDirectors of Store Operations.
• Manages existing real estate portfolio in designated markets, negotiating new lease agreementsand renewals, which will include coordinating reinvestment matters with internal partners;negotiating new or enforcing lease terms; providing notice of landlord responsibilities.
• Participate in the evaluation and assessment of new markets.
• Lead site searches, recommendations, and selections for new or repositioned Caribou locations,aligning with site selection criteria and market strategy and supported by market researchanalysis. Carry approved sites through entitlement, construction, and opening.
• Create real estate and market presentations for consideration, analysis, or project approval.Materials may include market maps, aerials, demographic studies, broker assessments, andmarket performance data.
• Support real estate team in determining the economic viability of projects by inputting data intofinancial models to create new store financial reports.
• Manage location analysis platforms to ensure accurate, up-to-date data and modeling for sales forecasting, analytics, and reporting.
• • Conduct market research and demographic studies using internal and external systems for market entry analysis and store performance predictions.
• Negotiate letter of intent terms and construction work letters with Legal, Design, Construction, Broker, and Developer teams.
   

Relationship Management with Key Partners and Brokers

• Own and actively manage end‑to‑end development schedules and deliverables, escalating missed dates or deliverable risks including but not limited to project entitlements, permits, and construction.
• Generate and coordinate real estate development schedules and issues with stakeholders including developers, general contractors and internal construction and design teams.
• Lead initiatives to integrate new processes, procedures, and technologies, supporting new store growth efforts and enhancing data accuracy and reporting.
• Quarterback cross‑functional teams to ensure timely completion of all development milestones, driving the store project development schedule, including legal, entitlement, signage, and project schedule exhibits.
• Champion cross-functional relationships to ensure collaboration and partnership across multiple departments and channels.

Skills:

• Brings our Core Values to life in all that you do: Support One Another, Make Fun Happen, Be Yourself, Take Ownership, Serve with Love
• Ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Proven strong track-record in relationship building.
• Goal-oriented and creatively driven.
• Ability to manage stakeholder expectations and execute appropriately.
• Excellent initiative as a self-starter; possesses the ability to bring opportunities to life.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to solve problems, think critically, and make timely decisions.
• Results driven, proven sense of urgency, and demonstrates strong initiative towards business needs.
• Possesses a clear and engaging communication style rooted in a desire to understand others and cocreate solutions.
• Skilled in working with cross-functional teams to create results, resolution of issues and alignment across the organization.
• Ability to inspire creative solutions, problem solve and thrive in an ambiguous environment.
   

Qualifications:
Required:

• 5+ years’ experience in store development, real estate development, or QSR/retail development
• Experience with quick-service restaurants (QSR) and/or drive-thru real estate
• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Experience with research and/or analytic software and reporting

Preferred:

• Experience with retail real estate
• Project Management and Communications experience.
• Strong presentation skills.
   

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements for this position include sitting, standing, bending, lifting, and moving intermittently during working hours. These physical requirements must be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodation.

The duties of this position may change from time to time. Caribou reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of Caribou or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Caribou Coffee Operating Company, Inc. and its affiliates are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers to all applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based on any characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

The physical demands for this position are seeing, hearing, speaking, reaching, lifting up to 50 pounds, sitting, standing, for 4 to 8 hours, bending, and moving intermittently during working hours. These physical demands may be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodations.

The duties of this position may change from time to time. Caribou Coffee reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the company or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Company”) are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers of Minorities, Women, Protected Veterans, and individuals with Disabilities and do not discriminate based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

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