Business Entrepreneur - Europe Expansion (CEO, Hot Palette UK)

At Hot Palette (Asia Pacific) Pte. Ltd, our mission is to make people smile with our dining experience. We are proud to operate and grow the beloved Pepper Lunch brand worldwide. Today, as one of Asia's fastest-growing fast-casual brands with over 550 outlets globally, our sizzling hotplates, bold flavours, and DIY dining concept have won the hearts of millions.

As part of our vision, we aim to achieve 1,000 stores in 6 continents, establishing Pepper Lunch as a truly global brand. To realize this ambition, we are seeking a dynamic, entrepreneurial leader to drive this global expansion, with an immediate focus on building our footprint in Europe. This role will be responsible for identifying market entry opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and adapting our brand for local success. This is a hands-on role requiring both strategic planning and execution, including deal-making, market development and operational setup.

Key Responsibilities

. Identify, evaluate, and prioritize European markets for entry, considering competitive landscape, consumer behaviour, and regulatory environment.

. Lead the opening and operation of direct shops in European markets.

. Build strategic partnerships (e.g., franchise partners, distributors, JV alliances) to accelerate market penetration.

. Develop and execute expansion strategies aligned with group growth objectives.

. Oversee negotiation of contracts, franchise agreements, and business development deals.

. Adapt and position the brand to suit European market dynamics, balancing global identity with local relevance.

. Build, lead, and manage local entrepreneurial teams or partners to drive operational success.

. Work closely with global and regional leadership teams to ensure alignment on strategy, resources, and performance targets.

Candidate Profile

. Proven track record in market entry and business expansion of international F&B brands in Europe.

. Experience in direct store operations and / or market entry preferred.

. Strong commercial acumen with hands-on experience in business development, partnerships, and deal-making.

. Network of contacts in Europe, with familiarity in navigating regulatory and business environments.

. Bachelor's degree required MBA or equivalent preferred.