Director, Real Estate

This range is provided by Panera Bread. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$188,838.00 / yr - $290,812.00 / yr

The Director, Real Estate will be responsible for leading, developing, directing, and coordinating their team and cross‑functional partners in executing Panera’s Real‑Estate initiatives and strategies for the expansion of bakery‑cafés in their respective territory in accordance with Panera’s guiding principles. The position will manage all aspects of new café development to support the Company’s rapid and profitable growth and lead a team of Real Estate Managers. They will assist in the overall market strategy for both company and franchise expansion and be accountable for Franchise and Retail Operations relationships. The successful candidate will have a keen and up‑to‑date understanding of real‑estate trends and activities in their markets. They must have an executive presence, make fact‑based decisions, and have the confidence to articulate them.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and execute short‑term and long‑term Real Estate plans that support corporate goals and help drive sales while strengthening the Company’s brand positioning and upholding Panera’s brand integrity.
• Have responsibility for Real Estate decisions within the Region; present and defend them to the executive committee, company operations and franchisees with confidence and a professional and financially sound fact‑based approach.
• Develop, negotiate and structure Real Estate agreements using appropriate tools to model, analyze and track expansion potential that are in the best long‑term financial interest of Panera.
• Partner with the Design, Construction, Finance, Franchising and Operations teams to fully integrate a cost model with the stated brand direction and message.
• Partner with Real Estate Strategy and Portfolio Management to maximize the performance and value of the Company’s and Franchisee’s portfolio of Real Estate assets in the Region through acquisitions, dispositions, and relocations.
• Support and lead continuous market planning to formulate, adjust and implement a long‑range Real Estate growth and portfolio management strategy.
• Deliver sites on time and on budget that will, in addition to delivering high ROIs, reinforce the Company’s brand positioning and increase the market share.
• Manage the current Real Estate department and through hiring, coaching and retaining the best Real Estate talent, create a solid best‑of‑class team.
• Oversee the development of broker relationships, negotiations and real‑estate agreements that are in the best long‑term financial interest of the Company and the Company’s brand.
• Evaluate existing Real Estate sites to ensure they are meeting or exceeding the financial goals established, and if not, find effective solutions to get numbers back on track in a timely manner. Make changes and strategic decisions regarding real estate as necessary to keep the Region on plan and positioned for continued growth.
• Serve as a strong, strategic leader, effectively optimizing and executing process while developing and motivating his / her team to take a proactive approach to their functions.
• Review current and emerging trends in the retail real‑estate market to ensure the Company takes advantage of real‑estate market conditions wherever possible and maintains a leadership position.
• Develop and maintain relationships with landowners, developers, states, counties and cities that will impact or influence the Company’s growth strategy.
• Have full understanding and experience in ground‑up development process. Maintain comprehensive knowledge of local, state and federal regulations to ensure organizational compliance and strategically leverage applicable laws to advance the Company’s interests.
• Ensure clear communication of Real Estate goals to all channels of business.
• Participate in the development of Panera’s design and concept to meet company objectives of appearance, quality, quantity and costs.
• Participate in site selection, oversight of design, construction and turnover of new cafes.

Qualifications (Education & Experience)

Personal Qualifications

The successful candidate will :

Working Conditions

Physical Requirements

Direct Reports

The compensation range for this position is $188,838-$290,812. The actual pay offered will be determined by multiple factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s relevant experience, job‑related knowledge, skills, and geographical location. Individual compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

Equal Opportunity Employer : Disabled / Veterans

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Restaurants

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