Are you a strategic franchise leader who thrives on scale, performance, and partner engagement?

Minor DKL Food Group is seeking an accomplished General Manager – Franchise Operations to provide executive leadership across our national franchise network and drive strong, sustainable commercial outcomes.

This is a senior role for a proven franchise or multi-site leader who combines strategic thinking with operational depth and thrives on partnering with franchisees to deliver consistent brand performance at scale.

Who are we?

Minor DKL Food Group is a leading Australian retail food franchisor and the Australian subsidiary of Thai-listed Minor International PCL. With iconic brands including The Coffee Club and Veneziano Coffee, and more than 400 stores across 11 countries, our network employs over 5,000 people globally.

For more than 35 years, The Coffee Club has been part of everyday Australian life, built on connection, quality, and community. Our franchise partners are central to that success, and we’re focused on supporting them to grow strong, profitable businesses.

What is the role?

Reporting to the CEO, the General Manager – Franchise Operations has overall accountability for the performance, consistency, and long‑term success of our franchised brands nationally.

This role has overarching accountability for franchise operations and training, ensuring franchise partners are supported, engaged, and aligned with Group standards, values, and long-term growth strategy. You will lead a national operations team and work closely with executive peers to deliver operational consistency, brand integrity, and strong commercial outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Set and execute the national franchise operations strategy aligned to Group objectives
• Lead and develop Regional Operations Managers and the Training function
• Drive sales growth, profitability, and operational consistency across the network
• Build strong, trusted, and commercially balanced relationships with franchise partners
• Act as the executive escalation point for complex operational and performance matters
• Oversee network expansion, including new store openings and resales
• Ensure training frameworks and operational standards support performance and scalability
• Maintain compliance with Franchise Agreements, legislation, and Group governance
• Provide clear, insightful reporting to the CEO and Executive Team on performance and risk
• Partner with Marketing to ensure effective execution of national brand initiatives
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, optimisation, and innovation

About You

You’re a confident, credible leader with deep experience in franchised or multi‑site environments. You balance commercial outcomes with strong franchise relationships and are comfortable leading through complexity and change.

You will bring:

• 10+ years’ experience in senior operational leadership roles within franchising, retail, or hospitality
• Proven success leading large, multi-site franchise or retail networks
• Strong experience engaging with executive stakeholders and franchise partners
• Demonstrated capability in driving performance, growth, and operational consistency
• Solid financial acumen with experience interpreting financial and performance reports
• Strong people leadership experience, including leading leaders
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Commerce, or a related discipline (essential)

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role within a well‑established, growth‑focused organisation and to shape the future of some of Australia’s most recognisable café brands.

You’ll enjoy:

• A senior role with genuine influence and autonomy
• A collaborative, values‑led executive team
• Flexible working arrangements
• Working from our modern Southbank office, close to public transport and great local amenities
• A range of employee benefits including employer-funded paid parental leave, purchased annual leave, and access to subsidised training and development program
• Barista-quality coffee every day

• Set and execute the national franchise operations strategy aligned to Group objectives
• Lead and develop Regional Operations Managers and the Training function
• Drive sales growth, profitability, and operational consistency across the network
• Build strong, trusted, and commercially balanced relationships with franchise partners
• Act as the executive escalation point for complex operational and performance matters
• Oversee network expansion, including new store openings and resales
• Ensure training frameworks and operational standards support performance and scalability
• Maintain compliance with Franchise Agreements, legislation, and Group governance
• Provide clear, insightful reporting to the CEO and Executive Team on performance and risk
• Partner with Marketing to ensure effective execution of national brand initiatives
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, optimisation, and innovation

• Strategic thinking
• Operational depth
• Partnering with franchisees
• Leadership
• Financial acumen
• People leadership
• Communication
• Relationship building
• Problem-solving
• Change management

• 10+ years’ experience in senior operational leadership roles within franchising, retail, or hospitality
• Proven success leading large, multi-site franchise or retail networks
• Strong experience engaging with executive stakeholders and franchise partners
• Demonstrated capability in driving performance, growth, and operational consistency
• Solid financial acumen with experience interpreting financial and performance reports
• Strong people leadership experience, including leading leaders
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Commerce, or a related discipline (essential)