JOB SUMMARY

The Associate Manager, Strategic Development for Habit Burger & Grill is a key contributor to the brand’s growth strategy, responsible for supporting strategic market planning, pipeline development, and financial evaluation of new restaurant opportunities across North America.
This role blends analytical rigor, cross-functional partnership, and clear business storytelling to guide capital investment decisions. You will lead financial assessments of prospective developments, help shape the growth roadmap, and present recommendations directly to Habit leadership. This is a high-impact role that supports Habit’s evolving real estate strategy, including end cap, in-line, conversion, and freestanding assets.
Reporting to the Head of Real Estate & Franchising, you will collaborate closely with real estate and development teams, and drive alignment with franchisee and brand leaders.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

• Passion for restaurant growth, market strategy, and development analytics
• Strong ability to synthesize data and build clear, persuasive business cases
• Executive presence and confidence presenting to senior leaders
• Knowledge of real estate development processes and key financial metrics
• Collaborative and proactive approach with cross-functional stakeholders

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Real Estate, Economics, Geography, or related field; MBA a plus
• 5+ years of experience in market planning, strategic development, real estate finance, or a related role
• Proficient in Excel and PowerPoint; experience with GIS/mapping tools
• Experience in the restaurant, retail, or franchise industries strongly preferred

WHO WE ARE?

HABIT stands for Hospitality, Attitude, Be Your Best, Integrity and Teamwork. At the Habit Burger Grill, our people make the difference, which is why since 1969, we’ve prided ourselves on being a people-first culture where each of us are celebrated for bringing our own unique flavor to the table. Our mission is to foster an environment where everyone feels like they are part of The Habit Family through One Habit, One Heart.
The Habit Burger Grill is a burger-centric, fast-casual restaurant concept that specializes in preparing fresh, cooked-to-order chargrilled burgers and handcrafted sandwiches featuring USDA choice tenderloin beef, grilled chicken and sushi-grade Ahi tuna cooked over an open flame. In addition, it features fresh-cut salads and an appealing selection of sides and shakes. The Habit Burger Grill was named the “best tasting burger in America” in July 2014 in a comprehensive survey conducted by one of America’s leading consumer magazines.