Mastered in the Boardroom.
Proven on the Job Site. Where strategic executive vision meets real-world execution - because pressure isn’t a problem, it’s a privilege.

Our Founder

Christopher Hensley

Founder

Christopher Hensley founded Next Stage Development to close a gap he saw throughout his career: the space between what a franchisee needs to open and grow, and what the franchisor is set up to provide.

Franchisors hand over brand standards, prototypes and approved vendors. Franchisees still have to turn those into a site, a lease, a set of plans, a budget and a restaurant that opens on time. That gap is where costs rise, schedules slip and opportunities are lost.

Chris spent three decades on the brand side of that equation, building and leading corporate development, construction and facilities teams. He started NSD to put that same executive-level expertise to work for the operators themselves. The result benefits both sides. Franchisees get better value, avoid costly mistakes and open sooner. Franchisors get units that open faster, stay on standard and perform from day one.

A Career Measured in Results

2,500+

remodels managed

800+

new restaurant openings

$1B+

in development and construction spending

$Enterprise

Facilities departments created and led for numerous national brands

From the Founder

"I spent my career seeing great operators slowed down by things that were entirely preventable. Now I work directly for them, as an extension of their team, so every dollar and every day is protected."
— Christopher Hensley, Founder

Our Mission

To serve as the fractional Chief Development Officer for every franchisee we partner with. We deliver the expertise, systems and leadership of a corporate development department, without the overhead, so our clients can grow with predictable timelines, controlled costs and confidence at every stage.

The Next Stage Difference

What sets us apart in the development industry

Building Relationships

Our experience runs from the job site to the C-suite. We speak the language of operators, franchisors, landlords and contractors, and we earn trust quickly.

Cost Avoidance

The most expensive problems are the ones found too late. We identify risks in the site, the lease and the plans before they become change orders, delays or disputes.

Best Value for the Project

Lowest price and best value are not the same thing. We use value engineering, competitive bidding and smart procurement to get the right result for the right investment.

Speed to Market

Every week before opening is lost revenue. Our proven, repeatable processes remove the delays that stall projects, from LOI to grand opening.

End-to-End Service

From site evaluation and lease review through design, procurement, construction and close-out, we manage every critical phase of your development.

New Restaurant Development • Remodel & Refresh Programs • Site Evaluation • Construction Management • Corporate Coordination • Prototype Compliance • Budget & Schedule Control • Turnkey Delivery • Single Point of Accountability • Faster Approvals • Risk Reduction •

Let's Discuss Your Next Project

Whether you need a fractional CDO for ongoing development leadership or support on a single project, our goal is simple: deliver predictable outcomes with fewer headaches.

Request a Consultation Discuss a Fractional CDO Engagement

Mastered in the Boardroom. Proven on the Job Site. Where strategic executive vision meets real-world execution - because pressure isn’t a problem, it’s a privilege.