Senior Franchise Operations Manager

Founded in 1993, Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea is a premium coffee and tea cafe that specializes in globally inspired beverages and real ingredient focused products. Our “love what you do” culture permeates our marketing, training, and who we look for to help grow our company, from team members and leadership to franchisees. Simply put, we look for people who are passionate about serving amazing products and making our guests day, every day. We pride ourselves on leaning into our size which allows us to make decisions and implement quickly; and on the strategy side, our founders and CEO have built and fostered a culture that encourages innovation and creative problem solving. We are a family, minority owned, women led company based in the beautiful college town of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Both of our founders and their children are all University of Michigan alumni. Go Blue!

As we expand our footprint, we’re looking for an experienced, passionate, and driven Senior Franchise Operations Manager to join our team in Ann Arbor, Michigan. If you're looking for a company where you can make a meaningful impact across multiple disciplines, see immediate results, and want the opportunity to grow professionally, we’d like to talk to you.

What We Offer:

• A mission-driven company where your work directly supports franchisee success and guest satisfaction
• A dynamic, passionate team that cares deeply about product, culture, and execution
• Competitive salary and benefits including health insurance, paid vacation & holidays, and retirement plan matching
• An opportunity to grow into an upper management role
• Innovative, fun culture

About the Role:

The Senior Franchise Operations Manager will be the critical link between our brand and our growing franchise community. You will supervise 2 franchise business consultants and 3 general managers for our company owned locations, support and elevate operational performance, ensure consistent brand execution, and cultivate strong relationships with our franchise partners. This role requires a balance of analytical insight, operational leadership, and emotional intelligence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary liaison between corporate operations, franchise business consultants, and franchisees, fostering trust and alignment around brand standards and goals
• Develop and implement operational strategies that drive performance across key metrics (quality, consistency, labor, cost control, and customer satisfaction)
• Partner with franchisees to support new store openings, ongoing operations, and problem-solving needs
• Analyze store performance and help operators understand and act on the numbers
• Influence and guide franchisees toward operational excellence
• Support company-wide initiatives, training rollouts, and process improvements
• Lead a small franchise business consultant team and collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, product development, and finance
• Oversee the operations and leadership of four company owned locations to have hands-on knowledge of operations and impact of company wide initiatives.
• Partners with franchise development and executive leadership
• Operates at a strategic + hands-on level, beyond a manager role

Who You Are:

• Passionate about food, coffee, and people—you love what you do and it shows
• Experienced in both franchise operations and food service
• 5+ years in the franchise industry, preferable in food and/or beverages
• 5+ years in food service operations, with strong operational acumen
• A strong communicator and relationship builder
• Equally comfortable in the details (data, budgets, SOPs) and the big picture (strategy, culture, brand standards, legal)
• Proven ability to influence others both with and without formal authority
• Experienced in managing or mentoring a team
• Adaptable, hands-on, and energized by a fast-moving, collaborative environment
• Have a bachelor’s degree in business, service, marketing, finance or related field.

This position offers a competitive salary and full benefits package.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants for all job openings are welcome and will be considered without regard to race, gender, age, national origin, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation, military status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.