Overview The Senior Counsel, Real Estate Legal - New Restaurants position is a full-time position primarily responsible for providing legal counsel, strategy and direction on a wide variety of real estate matters associated with new restaurant locations. Leadership responsibilities include, but are not limited to, managing a large number of real estate transactions from LOI through restaurant opening by working closely with internal business partners and outside counsel and providing related legal counsel to Chick-fil-A, Inc. and its affiliated entities as well as outside professionals. This position is based in our Atlanta Support Center. Our Flexible Future model offers a healthy mix of working in person and virtually, strengthening key elements of the Chick-fil-A culture by fostering collaboration and community. Responsibilities + Provide strategic direction and expert knowledge to advise, make decisions, and independently lead, influence and support one or more regional New Restaurant Growth teams. + Analyze and direct strategy on legal due diligence (title, leases, survey, environmental, entitlements, etc.) + Review, negotiate and provide in-depth input for drafting purchase contracts, ground leases, space leases, work letters, easements, amendments, closing documents, etc. + Collaborate with other in-house counsel and paralegals on real estate matters that are impacted by other areas of law such as Franchise, Regulatory, Litigation, etc. + Assist Director-Level Counsel of the Real Estate Legal New Restaurants Team in providing day-to-day direction, strategy and legal advice to the business on issues impacting the company’s real estate assets. + Advise on legal matters impacting acquisition, construction, development and operation of restaurant properties primarily prior to opening of the restaurant. + Lead or partner with cross-functional teams and attend leadership, strategy, and execution meetings to provide legal advice to business partners across the organization relating to the company’s real estate assets. + Independently manage projects and initiatives with the New Restaurant Growth Department that impact the company’s new restaurant development. + Lead efforts to prepare and update forms and processes as needed and prepare other communications to support the business. + Support Chick-fil-A’s new real estate growth and real estate portfolio by continuing to help develop and advise on various policies, processes and systems. + Lead (with Director supervision) efforts of identifying and on-boarding outside counsel and manage outside legal counsel work and costs. + Lead, and develop training programs and materials for, business teams regarding the company’s real estate strategy and portfolio. + Develop and implement legal technology solutions for capturing and reporting real estate asset information for use by the Restaurant Development Department. + Participate in various administrative matters, such as planning, budgeting and strategy for the Legal Department and Real Estate Legal. + Attend outside seminars and other business-related events related to issues relevant to the role; stay current on real estate law in the quick-service restaurant and retail industry. Minimum Qualifications + Passion for innovation and change management. + Strong communication skills. + Strong writing and editing skills. + Ability to identify and set priorities. + Strong organizational skills. + High level of initiative and desire to work with an in-house legal department. + Strong experience in building teams, creating and improving processes and producing work product that aligns with corporate goals. + Ability to serve leadership and supporting roles in cross-functional projects and/or on cross-functional teams. + Competence in the use of technological systems and standard MS office applications. + Excellent planning and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple, simultaneous and shifting demands, priorities and tight deadlines. + State Bar Membership Preferred Qualifications + Large law firm and/or relevant boutique experience, and/or focused in-house corporate experience. + Business or legal experience in transactional real estate or retail real estate, such as a degree and/or prior work experience in a related field or legal practice. Minimum Years of Experience 8 Travel Requirements 20% Required Level of Education JD Degree Preferred Level of Education JD Degree Job FunctionLegal Position TypeExperienced Professionals Requisition ID2025-18113 Posting Location : LocationUS-GA-Atlanta