Controller – Multi-Unit QSR (Wendy’s Franchise Group)
Location: London, Ontario (centrally located with On-site parking)
Work Model: In-office
Compensation: $110,000 – $140,000 + future performance bonus potential
Vacation: Vacation allowance that includes paid vacation plus 5 paid sick days per year
Benefits: A comprehensive benefits program is provided
About Us
We are a growing, multi-unit Wendy’s franchise group operating 16 locations, along with several complementary businesses and an additional restaurant concept. Over the past year, we have invested heavily in modernizing our finance infrastructure—including upgrades to Sage 300, payroll, AP automation, and back-of-house systems to build a scalable foundation for growth.
We are now seeking a Controller to take full ownership of our finance function and help lead the next phase of operational and financial excellence.
The Opportunity
This is not a traditional “reporting-only” Controller role.
You will act as the financial leader of the organization, responsible for both:
- Driving financial performance and decision-making, and
- Building and leading a scalable finance function
You will work directly with ownership and external accounting partners, while overseeing AP and Payroll teams and shaping the future structure of the department.
This role is ideal for someone who wants to grow into a long-term leadershipposition and have a meaningful impact on a multi-entity business.
Key Responsibilities
1. Financial Leadership & Business Partnership
- Act as a strategic partner to ownership on profitability, cost control, and growth decisions
- Analyze store-level and consolidated performance (labour, food cost, EBITDA drivers)
- Provide actionable insights to improve margins across all locations
- Support budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning
2. Ownership of Financial Operations
- Oversee full-cycle accounting across multiple entities
- Ensure accuracy and timeliness of monthly financial reporting
- Own P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow visibility
- Maintain and strengthen internal controls and financial discipline
3. Team Leadership & Development
- Lead and support AP and Payroll teams
- Assess current team structure and identify gaps or efficiencies
- Determine future needs (including bookkeeping function ownership)
- Build a high-performing, accountable finance team over time
4. Systems & Process Optimization
- Leverage recent investments in Sage 300, AP automation, and AI tools
- Drive continuous improvement in processes and reporting
- Implement dashboards and KPIs for real-time decision-making
- Ensure systems scale with business growth
5. External Partner Management
- Work closely with external accountants on year-end and compliance
- Manage relationships with banking and other financial partners
- Ensure alignment between internal reporting and external financials
What We’re Looking For
Core Experience
- 5–10+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience
- Proven experience as a Controller or Senior Accounting Manager
- Experience in multi-unit operations (QSR, retail, or hospitality strongly preferred)
- Strong understanding of cost drivers in high-volume, low-margin environments
Technical Skills
- Proficiency with ERP systems (Sage 300 experience is a strong asset)
- Strong financial reporting, budgeting, and analysis capabilities
- Experience improving processes and implementing systems
Leadership Profile
- Hands-on leader who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves
- Builder mindset—you can assess, fix, and scale a finance function
- Strong communicator who can translate numbers into business decisions
- High ownership mentality—you take responsibility and drive outcomes
Nice to Have
- CPA designation (or in progress)
- Experience with labour and food cost analytics in QSR
- Exposure to multi-entity or franchise environments
Why This Role Stands Out
- Direct impact on a 16-unit operation with multiple business lines
- Clean foundation already in place (systems upgraded, not starting from chaos)
- Opportunity to build and shape the finance function your way
- Long-term growth potential into a senior finance leadership role
- Ownership group committed to investing in the business and its people
We thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Pay: $110,000.00-$140,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
