ATIF MIRZA
Toronto,Canada
Summary
Research and Business Insights professional with experience analyzing market, demographic, and business data to develop actionable insights and recommendations. Skilled in market research, business analytics, performance reporting, and business case development to support strategic planning, investment decisions, and business growth.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Market Planning Manager
Starbucks Coffee Canada
Toronto, ON
05.2025 - 05.2026
- Managed national market planning and research initiatives supporting portfolio planning and data-driven decision-making across Starbucks Canada's company-operated and licensed store portfolio.
- Collaborated with Development, Real Estate, Operations, Finance, Data Science, and U.S. Market Planning teams to research, evaluate, and analyze new store, relocation, reinvestment, and store closure opportunities across Canada.
- Developed business cases, sales forecasts, and analytical reports by interpreting customer, demographic, market, competitive, and business performance data to support investment recommendations and strategic planning decisions.
- Conducted market research and competitive analysis to identify trends, evaluate growth opportunities, and provide actionable insights that informed strategic recommendations.
- Prepared and presented market research findings, business cases, maps, and executive-ready presentations that translated complex data into clear recommendations for senior leadership.
- Maintained and leveraged GIS, demographic, and business datasets to support market analysis, spatial analysis, portfolio planning, and cross-functional decision-making.
GIS & Portfolio Insights Analyst
Recipe Unlimited Corporation
Vaughan, ON
07.2023 - 05.2025
- Evaluated new restaurant, relocation, and reinvestment opportunities through market research, market analysis, trade area assessments, sales forecasting, and business performance evaluation across a multi-brand restaurant portfolio.
- Collaborated with Brand, Development, Real Estate, Operations, and Finance teams to research opportunities, analyze market and business data, and develop recommendations supporting portfolio planning and investment decisions.
- Developed business cases, financial analyses, and analytical reports to support investment recommendations, portfolio planning, and executive decision-making.
- Analyzed customer, demographic, market, competitive, and business performance data to identify trends, evaluate growth opportunities, and provide actionable insights for strategic planning initiatives.
- Prepared and presented executive-ready business cases, market research reports, performance dashboards, maps, and sales forecasts, translating complex data into clear recommendations for senior leadership.
- Maintained and analyzed GIS, demographic, and business datasets to support market analysis, spatial analysis, trade area evaluations, portfolio planning, and cross-functional decision-making.
Market Planning Analyst
KFC Canada
Vaughan, ON
06.2021 - 06.2023
- Supported national market planning initiatives by evaluating new restaurant, relocation, and reinvestment opportunities through market research, trade area analysis, sales forecasting, and market evaluation.
- Prepared executive site approval packages, business cases, sales forecasts, and analytical reports to support investment recommendations, planning initiatives, and executive decision-making.
- Analyzed customer, demographic, market, competitive, and restaurant performance data to identify trends, evaluate growth opportunities, and develop actionable recommendations.
- Conducted site research and preliminary site evaluations, collaborating with franchisees and commercial real estate brokers to assess development opportunities and support investment and planning recommendations.
- Developed delivery zone strategies, trade area analyses, maps, and market optimization recommendations to improve market coverage and support data-driven planning decisions.
- Collaborated with external research vendors and cross-functional teams, including Real Estate, Development, Operations, Finance, and Legal, to integrate market research findings and business data into planning initiatives and lease renewal decisions.
Research Technician
Ivanhoe Cambridge
Toronto, ON
05.2017 - 11.2020
- Conducted market research and consumer analysis across a portfolio of 19 shopping centres, leveraging customer, demographic, market, and property data to support planning and investment decisions.
- Designed and executed customer intercept surveys, analyzed shopping behaviours and customer journeys, and developed consumer profiles that informed market research findings and strategic recommendations.
- Developed business cases, forecasts, and analytical reports by interpreting market, consumer, demographic, and property performance data to support investment recommendations, portfolio planning, and business growth.
- Collaborated with Leasing, Development, Asset Management, Investment, and Construction teams to analyze market research findings, evaluate development opportunities, and support data-driven decision-making.
- Analyzed demographic trends, competitive conditions, and trade area characteristics to identify market trends, evaluate growth opportunities, and support long-term planning initiatives.
- Prepared and presented executive-ready reports, business cases, consumer insights, and market research findings, translating complex data into clear recommendations for senior leadership.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (Honors) - Geographic Analysis
Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto06-2017
Skills
- Research & Analysis
- Market Research
- Business Insights
- Business Analytics
- Market Intelligence
- Data Analysis & Interpretation
- Competitive Analysis
- Business Case Development
- Strategic Decision Support
- Stakeholder Management
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
Technical Skills
Excel | Tableau | ArcGIS | QGIS | MapInfo | Power Bi | Market Research & Analysis | Competitive Analysis | Business Analytics | Data Analysis & Visualization | Executive Reporting | GIS & Spatial Analytics
Timeline
Market Planning Manager
Starbucks Coffee Canada
05.2025 - 05.2026
GIS & Portfolio Insights Analyst
Recipe Unlimited Corporation
07.2023 - 05.2025
Market Planning Analyst
KFC Canada
06.2021 - 06.2023
Research Technician
Ivanhoe Cambridge
05.2017 - 11.2020
Bachelor of Arts (Honors) - Geographic Analysis
Toronto Metropolitan University