Manager, Network Planning

Finance
Dallas, TX
May 19, 2025

Manager, Network Planning

Coppell, TX 

If 'work hard play hard' were enough for a job description we would just stop there, because that's what ChiliHeads have been doing since 1975. ChiliHeads are a team that takes pride in Chili's culture and seeks every opportunity to make people feel special. Life is too short not to work happy, right? Actually, life is too long not to work happy. That's better.

At Brinker, we connect, serve, and give to create the best life for our Team Members, guests, and community. It's in our DNA. Seriously, grab your electron microscope, take a look, and you'll see little burgers and Presidente Margaritas built right in. It's what makes a ChiliHead a ChiliHead. 

Job Summary

The Manager of Network Planning plays a pivotal role in shaping Brinker International's market and site-specific planning strategies across the enterprise. This position is responsible for delivering data-driven insights that inform strategic growth and portfolio optimization decisions. By leveraging market research, trade area analysis, competitive intelligence, and performance data from the existing portfolio, the Manager supports the identification of high-impact opportunities for expansion, relocation, and reinvestment. This role works cross-functionally with Real Estate, Finance, Operations, and Brand teams to align network strategies with long-term business goals, ensuring a cohesive approach to market development and asset performance.

Your Key Job Functions

• Market Research: conducts in-depth analysis of real estate markets, including demographic trends, economic conditions, competition, and potential risks.
• Trade Area Planning: partners with Real Estate team to identify and evaluate potential locations for new restaurants, considering factors such as key attributes, impact to existing fleet, and traffic patterns.
• Portfolio Strategy: partners cross-functionally to establish a strategy for existing restaurants and create asset plans accordingly.
• Analytics: Synthesize high volumes of data across various disparate sources to establish best in class site selection.
• Reporting: prepares finding, reports, and presentations with recommendations for key stakeholders.
• Foster an environment of open communication and collaboration to ensure consistency, refinement and improvement in restaurant design and development processes. 

What You Bring to the Team

• 4-year degree (or additional relevant experience)
• 5+ years of real estate, GIS, or related experience.
• GIS capabilities to create thematic and visual mapping aids (trade areas, demand, customer data, mobility, etc.).
• Strong financial and analytical acumen to make strategic recommendations
• Advanced-level MS Excel skills
• Data management, visualization, and querying skills (SQL or similar tools); statistical modeling skills are a plus.
• Proficiency with GIS tool(s) are a plus 
• Critical thinking and heavy data analytics abilities
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, cross-functional, and often ambiguous environment
• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and professional manner to key stakeholders
• Self-starter who can take the initiative when needed and can solve problems independently 
• Attention to detail with superior organizational skills, passion for driving change, and a keen curiosity 

Why Brinker

We offer a competitive benefits package including medical/dental/vision, life insurance, paid vacation/holidays, and 401(k) with company match and generous dining discounts. Every team member working at the Restaurant Support Center (aka Brinker headquarters) is eligible for an annual bonus potential. Our campus includes an onsite gym plus opportunities to increase your wellbeing with onsite Yoga and boot camp programs. Work/Life/Fun balance in a casual, hybrid, and collaborative work environment! Team members enjoy company-wide events and celebrat