Executive Talent demand in Latin America’s Quick Service Restaurant industry
Why QSR growth across Latin America and the Caribbean depends on strong regional leadership
An industry on the rise, but who will lead it?
The Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) industry in Latin America and the Caribbean is experiencing a period of dynamic transformation. Fueled by rising disposable incomes, urban lifestyles, mobile ordering trends, and expanding franchise models, QSR brands, ranging from global fast-food giants to regional newcomers, are rapidly scaling operations.
A recent report by Fortune Business Insights forecasts the Latin America and Caribbean QSR market to grow from USD 86.20 billion in 2024 to USD 182.80 billion by 2032, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.87%. This positions the region as a strategic growth engine for foodservice operators and investors alike.
Yet as revenues climb, so does the need for strategic leadership. Behind every successful expansion are executives who understand the complexity of operating across diverse regulatory, economic, and cultural environments. In today’s market, hiring experienced regional managers, CFOs, HSE Directors, Sales Leaders, and Business Development Executives has become a critical success factor for QSR companies aiming for sustainable growth.
Why senior talent is the new competitive advantage in QSR
While consumer demand and franchise growth drive the top line, long-term success hinges on operational consistency, local adaptability, and financial performance. These outcomes depend on the quality of leadership teams in the region.
Whether it’s ensuring compliance with local food safety standards, developing franchise networks, or leading omnichannel revenue growth, companies require proven professionals who bring both industry expertise and regional insight.
Let’s explore the top executive-level roles currently in high demand, and why recruiting for them is increasingly challenging across Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Regional CFOs and Finance Directors: stewards of growth
Finance leaders in QSR are responsible for overseeing multi-country operations, ensuring compliance with local tax laws, managing franchise P&L statements, and optimizing ROI on new market entries. These roles require deep expertise in retail or franchise finance, strong analytical capability, and a cross-cultural leadership approach.
Responsibilities include:
- Budget forecasting and financial strategy
- Risk assessment and compliance
- Multi-market performance reporting
Recruitment challenge: there is a limited pool of bilingual (English-Spanish or English-Portuguese) CFOs with fast food, retail, or FMCG experience and a proven record in LATAM operations.
- Business Development Executives: unlocking market expansion
With aggressive plans to expand across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in Latin America, QSR companies need strategic business development directors who understand real estate, franchising laws, and consumer trends in different markets.
Responsibilities include:
- Identifying and negotiating new franchise agreements
- Launching market entry strategies in emerging regions
- Building partnerships with local developers and suppliers
Recruitment challenge: Candidates with experience scaling QSR networks across multiple LATAM countries are rare, and many are already locked into long-term contracts.
- Regional Sales Directors: driving multi-channel growth
QSR brands must balance in-store performance with growing demand for delivery platforms, apps, and digital loyalty programs. Regional sales executives are needed to optimize pricing, promotions, and partnerships across countries.
Responsibilities include:
- Creating regional sales strategies
- Managing partnerships with food delivery services (e.g., Rappi, Uber Eats)
- Developing local and corporate B2B channels
Recruitment challenge: there’s a growing need for sales professionals who understand tech-enabled food commerce, yet many senior sales leaders lack experience across both traditional and digital channels.
- HSE Directors: safeguarding people, products, and reputation
QSR operations must uphold uniform standards for health, safety, and environmental regulations, even in countries with widely varying legal frameworks and enforcement levels. HSE directors are key to maintaining public trust and franchise integrity.
Responsibilities include:
- Standardizing health and safety procedures across markets
- Training local teams and franchisees
- Managing inspections, audits, and risk
Recruitment challenge: Bilingual HSE executives with regional restaurant or foodservice experience are in short supply, especially those who have experience implementing international standards (e.g., ISO, HACCP).
- Regional COOs and Managing Directors: orchestrating regional success
A Chief Operating Officer or Regional Managing Director ensures that a company’s vision and strategy are successfully executed on the ground. This person acts as the bridge between corporate HQ and local markets, overseeing everything from marketing to logistics.
Responsibilities include:
- Managing regional performance metrics and KPIs
- Leading operations, HR, and customer experience strategies
- Building and scaling cross-country teams
Recruitment challenge: finding executives with both strategic thinking and hands-on operational leadership, especially in high-growth markets like Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and the Caribbean.
Where the Talent is…and isn’t
Top markets for QSR executive hiring:
- Brazil – Highly competitive and regulated, but the largest opportunity
- Mexico – A gateway market with mature infrastructure and strong QSR presence
- Colombia, Chile, Peru – Rising stars for franchise investment
- Caribbean islands – Smaller markets needing agile, multi-tasking regional leaders, with key markets such as Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Jamaica
However, talent scarcity is a consistent issue. There are too few senior professionals with both industry expertise and multi-country experience who are bilingual and open to regional mobility.
How GateSource HR helps QSR companies build high-performance regional teams
At GateSource HR, we specialize in executive recruitment across Latin America and the Caribbean, helping QSR groups, franchise networks, and foodservice investors hire top-tier leadership.
Our value proposition:
- Access to a qualified, bilingual executive talent pool
- Expertise in regional recruitment, compensation, and compliance
- Proven success in filling hard-to-recruit senior roles
- Support across the full recruitment cycle: sourcing, screening, shortlisting, and offer management
Whether you’re hiring a Finance Director in Mexico, a Business Development Executive for Brazil, or a Regional HSE Leader across the Caribbean, we bring localized insight and cross-border reach.
