Manager of Market Planning and Real Estate Analytics

The Manager of Market Planning and Real Estate Analytics drives growth intelligence for the Five Guys system across North America. This role sits at the intersection of spatial analysis, data science, and strategic communication translating complex datasets into clear, actionable recommendations that guide real estate development, operations, and senior leadership decision-making. Embedded with the Franchise Development team, this person serves as a trusted analytical partner to Senior Leadership, Franchisees, and cross-functional teams including Development, Operations, Finance, and Legal. The ideal candidate challenges assumptions, drives alignment, and influences high-stakes decisions through the credibility of data and the clarity of communication bringing together analytical rigor, financial acumen, and strong relationship-building skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Market Planning & Trade Area Analysis

• Conduct trade area analysis across new and existing markets to assess growth potential, competitive positioning, and proximity impact on the existing portfolio.
• Develop and maintain GIS-based mapping tools and reporting layers that visualize demographic, competitive, and sales data for internal teams and franchisee audiences.
• Apply predictive modeling techniques to forecast site-level sales potential, supporting capital allocation and pipeline prioritization decisions.
• Track and analyze industry shifts, competitor performance, and emerging market trends to deliver a forward-looking perspective that informs development priorities, challenges prevailing assumptions, and strengthens the overall portfolio strategy.

Franchise Growth Strategy Reporting

• Develop and distribute franchise growth strategy reports that clearly illustrate development opportunities within a franchisee's territory or market; communicate findings to the Real Estate Team, Director of Global Strategy & Analytics, and Senior Leadership through written reports, virtual meetings, and in-person market tours.

Data Management & Analytics

• Maintain an accurate, up-to-date database of open, closed, approved, and pipeline locations, including spatial coordinates and key site attributes.
• Synthesize internal and third-party datasets including mass mobile data, third-party consumer behavior data, and demographic sources to generate real-time, actionable intelligence.
• Maintain the long-range plan on a rolling basis to reflect actual openings, closures, and relocation plans.
• Apply this intelligence to evaluate the impact of portfolio changes including proximate competitor openings, closures, relocations, and remodels on existing unit performance; partner with internal teams, including Legal, to support asset optimization decisions and communicate findings and strategic implications to the Development team, Senior Leadership, and Franchisees.

New Site Analysis & Reporting

• Evaluate all new sites submitted for review through market tours and on-the-ground assessments to inform investment decisions.
• Conduct pro forma P&L analysis and evaluate investment return metrics to support capital allocation decisions.
• Prepare and present formal, data-driven site recommendations to the Development team, Senior Leadership, and Franchisees as needed.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Build and maintain effective working relationships across Development, Operations, Finance, and Legal, ensuring analytical findings are integrated into organizational planning and decision-making.
• Partner directly with franchisees and their development teams to understand market-level growth priorities, share findings, and provide data-driven guidance on development decisions within their territories.
• Collaborate with the broader Analytics team to build and refine analytical workflows, develop new modeling capabilities, and continuously improve the efficiency and reliability of the team's tools and processes.
• Support international market planning initiatives by applying domestic market planning expertise to global development questions.