Company: the EleFant

Location: Ahmedabad

Department: Franchise Development & Business Expansion

Employment Type: Full-time

Experience: 5–10 years

Reporting to: Chief Revenue Officer / Head of Business Development

About the EleFant

At the EleFant, we're on a mission to change the way India interacts with toys.

We are building a technology-led toy and book library that gives children access to a wide range of toys, books and play experiences through convenient memberships, with doorstep delivery and exchanges.

Featured on Shark Tank India, the EleFant is expanding its presence across the country through a unique FICO (Franchise Invested, Company Operated) model.

Under this model, franchise partners invest in the business infrastructure, while the EleFant manages operations, technology, customer acquisition and service delivery as defined in the franchise agreement.

We are looking for an ambitious Franchise Development Manager who can accelerate our expansion by bringing the right investors and business partners into the EleFant ecosystem.

About the Role

We are looking for a high-energy, commercially strong Franchise Development Manager who can take ownership of franchise acquisition, investor engagement and deal closures.

This is a revenue-generating role requiring strong relationship-building, consultative selling, negotiation and business development skills.

The ideal candidate understands how to sell a business opportunity, not just a product.

Your success will be measured by the number, quality and value of franchise partnerships you close.

Key Responsibilities

1. Franchise Sales & Revenue Ownership

- Own monthly, quarterly and annual franchise acquisition targets.
- Generate and convert qualified franchise investor leads.
- Independently manage the entire franchise sales cycle from initial enquiry to agreement execution and payment collection.
- Present the EleFant's FICO model, business proposition, financial structure and commercial opportunity to prospective investors.
- Conduct investor meetings, online presentations and detailed commercial discussions.
- Handle objections related to investment structure, business performance, returns, operational responsibility and risk.
- Negotiate commercial terms within approved company guidelines.
- Ensure timely closures and collection of franchise investment commitments.

2. Investor Lead Generation & Channel Development

- Identify HNIs, business owners, professionals, family offices and potential franchise investors.
- Build relationships with franchise consultants, wealth advisers, business networks and referral partners.
- Develop investor acquisition channels through LinkedIn, BNI, business associations,



networking events and other relevant platforms.
- Build partnerships with brokers and intermediaries who can refer qualified franchise investors.
- Generate opportunities through existing franchise-partner referrals.
- Work closely with Marketing to improve campaign quality, targeting and lead conversion.
- Build a sustainable pipeline rather than relying only on inbound leads.

3. Franchise Investor Relationship Management

- Understand each prospective investor's financial capacity, expectations, investment horizon and preferred geography.
- Develop trust through transparent and professional communication.
- Explain franchise investment terms, contractual responsibilities, commercial assumptions and associated risks accurately.
- Conduct structured follow-ups and move prospects through the sales funnel.
- Maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective franchise partners.
- Identify opportunities for additional investments and territory expansion among existing partners.
- Coordinate with senior management on strategic or high-value investment opportunities.

4. Franchise Sales Process & CRM Management

- Maintain complete and accurate investor information in the CRM.
- Track lead sources, qualification, meetings, proposals, negotiations and closures.
- Ensure disciplined follow-ups with every qualified prospect.
- Maintain visibility over high-intent, documentation-pending and payment-pending opportunities.
- Build reliable weekly and monthly closure forecasts.
- Identify bottlenecks and take proactive steps to improve conversion rates.
- Share actionable market feedback to improve franchise pitches and sales materials.

5. Coordination & Deal Execution

- Coordinate with Finance, Legal and Operations for franchise agreement execution.
- Ensure complete investor documentation and adherence to internal approval processes.
- Work with the onboarding team for smooth handover after commercial closure.
- Ensure franchise partners receive accurate information regarding their rights, obligations and investment terms.
- Support compliance with applicable internal policies and legal requirements.

Required Skills & Experience

- 5–10 years of experience in franchise development, business development, investment sales or high-ticket consultative selling.
- Proven track record of independently closing franchise or business investment deals.




- Experience selling franchise opportunities, commercial assets, business partnerships or other high-value propositions.
- Strong network among business owners, HNIs, franchise consultants and skilled communities.
- Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and relationship-management skills.
- Ability to understand and explain commercial structures, business economics and contractual terms.
- Strong follow-up discipline and ability to manage longer sales cycles.
- Comfortable with CRM systems, spreadsheets and pipeline management.
- Willingness to travel for investor meetings, networking events and business expansion.
- Proficiency in English and Hindi; Gujarati or other regional languages would be an advantage.

Preferred industry experience: Franchise consulting, organized retail, consumer services, investment-led franchise businesses, education franchises, hospitality, wealth distribution or high-ticket B2B sales.

Who Will Be a Great Fit?

We are looking for someone who:

- Has the confidence to speak with investors committing significant capital.
- Can develop their own network instead of depending entirely on company leads.
- Understands that franchise selling is about trust, business fundamentals and long-term relationships.
- Has strong commercial judgment and the ability to close deals.
- Is persistent without being pushy.
- Takes complete ownership of targets and commitments.
- Can work independently and thrive in a growing startup.
- Knows how to identify serious investors and avoid wasting time on unqualified prospects.
- Believes in transparent selling and building relationships beyond the first transaction.

Why Join the EleFant?

- Be part of a growing consumer brand transforming how children access toys and play experiences.
- Help expand a differentiated FICO franchise model across India.
- Work closely with the company's revenue and leadership teams.
- Take ownership of significant commercial opportunities.
- Build a nationwide investor and franchise-partner network.
- Grow into larger franchise expansion and business development leadership roles.
- Work in a performance-driven environment with opportunities for professional growth.

Compensation

Competitive fixed salary + performance-linked incentives, aligned to franchise closures and realized investment collections.

Compensation will depend on relevant experience, demonstrated track record and commercial capabilities.

Apply Now

If you have experience closing franchise deals, enjoy working with investors and have the hunger to build a strong nationwide franchise network, we'd love to hear from you.

the EleFant | Discover. Play. Return. Repeat.

📌 Franchise Development Manager (Ahmedabad)
🏢 the EleFant
📍 Ahmedabad