Paralegal, Franchise & Compliance

What You’ll Be Serving Up:

As a Paralegal on the Franchise Legal team, you will support the legal administration of franchise agreements, transfers, restructures, renewals, and compliance matters. You will be cross-trained across all franchise legal functions and work closely with internal stakeholders and franchisees to ensure timely and accurate execution of legal processes.

Here’s How You’ll Spice Things Up:

Compliance Support

• Prepare and maintain annual franchise renewal pipeline, collaborating with Finance, Development, and Operations to assemble information for eligibility assessments and non-renewal determinations. 
• Assist in the coordination and execution of the franchise renewal and extension process, including compliance checks and preparation of relevant documentation. 
• Support resolution of franchisee default and termination matters in collaboration with Senior Associate Franchise Paralegal, Corporate Counsel, and cross-functional teams; draft warning letters and default letters under supervision of Senior Associate Franchise Paralegal and Corporate Counsel. 
• Ensure adherence to brand standards and legal requirements.

Transactional Matters

• Support due diligence on proposed transfers between franchisees for both brand and co-brand units, ensuring transfer requirements and brand standards are met at entity and deal level. 
• Analyze franchisee transactional documents, such as ownership records, organizational charts, letters of credit, trust agreements, purchase agreements, and entity formation documents under the supervision of Senior Associate Franchise Paralegal and Corporate Counsel. 
• Prepare and coordinate execution of legal documentation for franchise transfers and ownership changes under the supervision of Senior Associate Franchise Paralegal and Corporate Counsel; identify and escalate non-standard structures for review by counsel. 
• Support closing of transactions and ensure timely completion of internal administrative matters. 
• Prepare and distribute reports, memos and correspondence to internal and external parties in an accurate and timely manner.

Legal Administration

• Track and report on project status and agreement pipelines.
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation and records relating to franchisees.
• Communicate with franchisees, attorneys, and internal teams regarding legal obligations and processes.
• Proactively identify and suggest ideas for continuous improvement to cross-functional franchising processes.
• Drive process improvements and technology adoption to streamline legal workflows.

What You Bring to the Table:

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year university, preferably in Legal studies, Paralegal studies, or a related field; Paralegal certificate preferred.
• Experience:
  • 4+ years of relevant work experience with Bachelor’s, or 2+ years with Master’s.
  • Franchise law experience required.
  • Previous paralegal experience in corporate or law firm setting.
• Skills:
  • Strong organizational and time management skills.
  • Detail-oriented with excellent oral and written communication skills to engage and align cross-functional stakeholders; ability to present effectively and professionally to senior leaders.
  • Strong analytical skills to interpret data and form action-able recommendations.
  • Exceptional project management capabilities, including driving great outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
  • Steadfast ability to act as the key person-to-contact in interactions with downstream stakeholders, including franchisees and customers.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in dynamic environment with changing priorities and evolving legal issues. 
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, DocuSign, Smartsheet, and similar legal resource systems. 
• Mindset:
  • Relentless in the pursuit of excellence and maintaining high standards.
  • Resourceful and adaptive in ambiguous situations with a proven ability to operate “in the grey.”
  • Resilient in the face of obstacles and persistent in driving towards results.
  • Thrive in a collaborative environment.
  • Motivated to be part of a new and growing legal team.

What’s In It for You:

• Be at the forefront of franchise compliance and renewal processes, directly contributing to KFC’s operational success.
• Collaborate with high-performing teams across KFC US and franchise stakeholders to deliver impactful results.
• Shape franchise compliance strategies in a globally recognized brand, building expertise in legal processes and franchise operations.