Senior Project Analyst, Franchise Development

Dine Brands Global • Pasadena, CA

2d • $95,000 - $110,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Project Analyst will support the profitable and strategic domestic expansion of Dine Brands’ portfolio as efficiently and effectively as possible while remaining aligned with brand standards and long‑term growth objectives. This role plays a key role in advancing the development of IHOP, Applebee’s, and Fuzzy’s concepts across existing and new markets, working closely with both current and prospective franchisees. The Senior Project Analyst operates with a high degree of autonomy, serving as a subject‑matter expert on development processes, franchisee transactions, and internal systems, while providing guidance and mentorship to junior analysts and cross‑functional partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required; advanced coursework or certifications in business, finance, real estate, or project management a plus.
• 4 years of professional experience, preferably in a corporate environment with exposure to franchising, restaurant development, real estate, recruiting, or multi‑unit operations.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex workstreams and deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience working directly with senior leadership and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives, influence cross‑functional stakeholders, and drive process improvements.
• High proficiency in Excel; experience with Salesforce and project management software strongly preferred.
• Proven attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support Dine Brands’ domestic growth initiatives by owning and continuously improving the processes, tools, and reporting used to manage new and existing franchise partners across a wide range of development and ownership transactions.
• Serve as a primary analyst for complex franchisee transactions and assignments, including acquisitions, divestitures, MBOs, LBOs, ownership transfers, and restructurings; coordinate due diligence, internal approvals, and consent processes.
• Act as a key liaison between franchisees and internal stakeholders including Legal, Development, Architecture, Finance, IT, and Operations to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant execution of development activities.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance development playbooks, manuals, templates, presentations, and standard operating procedures; identify opportunities to standardize, simplify, and scale processes.
• Monitor and analyze new restaurant openings, development milestones, and pipeline activity; ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency of data across company systems and reporting tools.
• Manage and oversee the new restaurant development approval process, including proformas, documentation, and project records in internal IT systems.
• Proactively identify risks, bottlenecks, and data inconsistencies across brands or franchise groups and recommend corrective actions.
• Provide analytical insights and summaries to Development leadership to support decision‑making and strategic planning.
• Perform additional development‑related projects and administrative responsibilities as needed, with a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level