POSITION SUMMARY:The Fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a strategic, hands-on financial leader responsible for bringing discipline, cost control, and scalable financial infrastructure to a 25-unit and growing retail franchise group.This part-time executive engagement (10–20 hours per week) provides the organization with CFO-level rigor and turnaround capability.The ideal candidate is a financial operator who excels at identifying waste, tightening controls, improving cash flow, and building systems that support profitable scale. This role will shape the financial roadmap and may evolve.The Fractional CFO will partner closely with the CEO and COO to ensure the company has the financial clarity, reporting accuracy, and cost discipline required to support operational resets, margin expansion, and long-term growth.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:Financial Strategy & Leadership:Serve as the senior financial advisor to the CEO and COO, providing clear guidance on cost structure, capital allocation, and financial riskBuild a multi-year financial model that supports profitable unit expansion, working capital needs, and ownership returnsConduct financial due diligence for new units, lease negotiations, remodels, and capital investmentsIdentify risks to EBITDA targets and develop scenario planning frameworks to guide decision-makingEstablish a financial strategy that prioritizes margin protection, cash discipline, and operational efficiencyFinancial Reporting & Analysis:Oversee accurate, timely monthly financial statements and management reportingDeliver unit-level and portfolio-level P&L analysis with actionable variance insightsBuild a financial dashboard and KPI framework that gives the COO and district managers visibility into performance driversEnsure reporting aligns with franchise requirements and ownership expectationsCreate transparency around cost centers, margin erosion, and financial trendsBudgeting, Forecasting & Cash ManagementLead the annual budgeting process with a focus on cost control and realistic operational assumptionsMaintain rolling 13-week cash flow forecasts and actively manage working capitalMonitor cash position, debt service, and banking covenantsIdentify opportunities to improve cash conversion cycles, renegotiate vendor terms, and optimize capital deploymentBuild a cash discipline culture across the organizationEBITDA Optimization & Cost Control:Partner with the COO to implement accountability structures that protect and grow EBITDAAnalyze labor productivity, COGS, occupancy costs, and overhead to identify inefficiencies and cost leaksLead cost-reduction initiatives, procurement improvements, and vendor renegotiationsProvide financial modeling for pricing, product mix, and promotional strategiesBuild a margin-focused operating rhythm that supports both turnaround and scaleAccounting, Compliance & Controls:Oversee the accounting function and ensure strong internal controls across all unitsManage relationships with CPA firms, tax advisors, lenders, and franchise financial reporting partnersEnsure compliance with GAAP, tax obligations, and franchise financial reporting standardsReview and approve month-end close, reconciliations, and financial statement preparationStrengthen audit readiness and financial accuracy across the organizationTechnology & Systems:Evaluate and implement financial systems, POS integrations, and reporting tools that support scaleStandardize financial data collection and reporting across all unitsAutomate manual processes to reduce errors and increase efficiencyBuild a scalable financial infrastructure that supports growth from 25 to 50+ unitsGrowth & Transaction Support:Support ownership in evaluating new unit economics, real estate pro formas, and ROI analysisPrepare financial packages for lenders, SBA financing, or investor discussionsAdvise on recapitalization, exit planning, or future transactionsEnsure growth decisions are grounded in financial discipline and long-term profitabilityQUALIFICATIONSRequired:12+ years of progressive finance experience, including 3–5 years at CFO or VP Finance levelExperience in multi-unit retail, franchise, restaurant, or consumer-facing environmentsDemonstrated success in cost reduction, cash optimization, and EBITDA improvementHands-on experience with accounting oversight, month-end close, and internal controlsProven ability to deliver CFO-level output in a fractional or part-time capacityStrong working knowledge of GAAP and franchise financial reporting requirementsPreferred:Direct franchise system experience (franchisee or franchisor)Experience scaling companiesFamiliarity with SBA lending, commercial real estate financing, and franchise capital structuresCPA, CFA, or MBAExperience with POS systems, cloud accounting platforms (QuickBooks, NetSuite), and BI toolsCompetencies & AttributesTurnaround-focused financial operator who can quickly identify waste and implement cost disciplineStrategic thinker who simplifies complexity and communicates clearly to non-financial leadersDisciplined and structured, bringing rigor without unnecessary bureaucracyTrusted advisor with high integrity and confidentialityComfortable working in a lean, fast-moving environment with multiple prioritiesAble to be present for key meetings while managing the role remotely or hybrid
