Category: Building Sales

11 Qualities That Contribute to the Success of a Franchisee

Posted on by Franchise Strategist

Photo by Gerd Altmann: https://www.pexels.com/photo/success-text-21696/

Franchises are the number one way new entrepreneurs start a business. A franchisee can take advantage of a proven system, brand recognition, and access to capital. But, in return, they must spend time learning about their industry, develop relationships with suppliers and customers, as well as adhere to strict standards set by the franchisor.

What Qualities Contribute to the Success of a Franchisee
By Gary Occhiogrosso – Managing Partner, FranGrow

I get asked this question often. Of course, many factors go into the formula. Yes, it’s true: not every franchise owner is cut from the same cloth. It seems that we have an entrepreneur for every niche and industry. That’s why franchising has no one-size-fits-all approach; what works for one person might not work for another!

What brings success to one franchisee may not necessarily be what brings success to someone else. But, of course, there are some common traits among successful franchisees. Successful franchisees come in all shapes and sizes, but having the right qualities will help them succeed. Successful franchisees are not afraid of failure. They understand that it is an inevitable part of the journey and know how to deal with it. They also realize that there are no shortcuts to success; if you want something, you have to work hard for it every day. These Qualities and Skills include:

Experience
A clear advantage of being a franchisee is the knowledge and experience you can gain from your franchisor. While it’s not always possible to have previous business experience, there are ways to be sure that you are prepared for this new venture.
For example, many people find that an apprenticeship helps them learn about their chosen industry. If you don’t have professional experience similar to what the franchise offers, taking a class at a local college or university may be just what you need before diving into your new venture. An apprenticeship program allows students to learn on the job while receiving regular feedback from their employers or instructors while earning money. The best part? Apprenticeships can often lead to full-time work after graduation! Considering becoming a franchisee, believe many things before signing on the dotted line. For example, you should be sure that the franchisor is experienced and has a good reputation in the industry. You should also ensure that they offer training classes for new franchisees and ongoing support for your business once it’s up and running.

A Relentless Work Ethic
In the world of franchising, work ethic is a combination of hard work and passion for your business. You need to be able to put in long hours to get things done, handle stress and conflict within your staff, and know when you need help with something. In addition, a relentless work ethic means being smart enough to know when you don’t have all the answers.
The best franchisees are constantly learning, not just about their business but also about the industry and how it works. As a result, they don’t rely on others to do their jobs; they take responsibility for their success or failure.

Motivation
Motivation comes in many forms, but motivation is not a fixed attribute of a person. Instead, it is an emotion that comes when you’re starting to do something and keeps you going as you finish the task.
Motivation can come from within or without. Some people are naturally motivated to achieve goals. In contrast, others need external incentives (such as money) to complete something. While some people have both types of motivation, others may only be motivated by extrinsic or internal factors. The trick is figuring out how each person uses their unique style of inspiration so that they will succeed with your franchise business model and continue achieving. The goal for every franchisor is to find ways for their franchisees to stay motivated after opening up shop. This way, franchisees remain fired about what they’re doing, as do all their employees! The best way to keep your franchisees motivated after opening is by letting them know that you’re still there for them. Being available for your franchisees doesn’t mean calling them every day; it means making sure that when they need help with something, you’re able to provide it. Depending on your franchise’s business model, this could be anything from giving marketing tips or advice on how to run a successful business.

They are Innovative
An innovative franchisee will be able to think of ways to make their business stand out from the competition. They may also develop ways to improve efficiency or help attract more customers. An idea can be as simple as a new advertising campaign, or it could be something like a product that is better than what’s currently offered in your industry.
To get innovative ideas, you must begin by following the basic steps of brainstorming: define an issue and gather information on it, generate ideas on how to solve it, evaluate those ideas against one another and others’ opinions, then choose which ones are best suited for implementation. Once you’ve decided on an approach (or several), you’ll need input from trusted advisors before implementing them into your business plan so that they’re practical and professionally sound. When you’re ready to move forward with your idea, it’s crucial to have a plan for what steps you’ll need to take next. A plan will ensure that you don’t waste time or money on something that won’t work or that isn’t feasible within your budget.

They are Tireless
Tireless is a word that describes someone who works hard but doesn’t get tired. Being tireless is essential in any business because you will most likely fail if you don’t work hard enough and stay on top of things. Here are some examples of what it means to be tireless: Don’t stop working until the job is done. If an area of your business could use improvement, take the time to improve it even if it takes longer than expected or seems like more work than intended at first glance. The only way for your franchise to succeed is for every part to run smoothly and efficiently, so never let up on improving yourself as an owner—even if you already feel like everything is perfect!

They Always Follow The System Set Up by the Franchisor.
Following the franchise system ensures that all franchisees follow a standardized set of rules which prevents one location from being treated differently than another just because they don’t quite know how things work yet (and this makes them less likely to succeed). It also ensures consistency across all sites, so no matter where customers go, they’ll receive similar experiences every time – which helps build trust between them and their favorite brands. Don’t take shortcuts or do things the company doesn’t want you to do. The system should be designed to ensure success and prevent mistakes. If there’s a way to do something more efficiently or effectively than what’s laid out in your franchise’s system, then make sure you’re not doing it. When you’re a franchisee, you are part of the system. You must follow the rules and regulations set forth by your parent company. If you’re not willing to do that, then it’s probably not a good idea for someone like you to become a franchisee in the first place. Franchisees must be able to work with others; they cannot function as lone wolves who have no regard for other people or their feelings. Instead, a successful franchisee can take direction from those above them and guide those below them in the hierarchy of any given company. A successful franchisee is someone who can work well with others. They are not lone wolves, and they have no disregard for other people or their feelings. Instead, a successful franchisee can take direction from those above them and guide those below them in the hierarchy of any given company.

Successful Franchisees Know When and How To Ask For Help.
A good franchisee is always looking for ways to improve their business. Sometimes, this means asking for help from other franchisees or the franchisor. By recognizing that there are people out there who have more experience than you do, you’ll be able to grow your business faster and become a better leader in the process.
Working with your peers: Franchisees often feel alone in their respective territories when starting on their own without the support of corporate office staff. Having other franchisees nearby gives them a sense of community, making starting up easier. It also allows them to play off each others’ strengths—for example, one may specialize in sales while another excels at marketing—so they can complement each other’s skillsets much like employees would in an office setting.
. The franchisor will likely have a community of franchisees where you may draw information. However, it’s still up to you and other franchisees to get together and make connections.

They Engage With Their Community.
Being able to help out and be part of your community doesn’t just make you look good; it also helps build trust and goodwill with your customers and strengthen your position in the market over time. It’s not just about being charitable – although charity sponsorships have their rewards – it’s about contributing something meaningful to local events or causes, whether they be arts-related or sports related. It may even come down to simply getting involved in things like recycling programs, helping keep your neighborhood clean and safe through litter pick-ups, or volunteering at schools or civic buildings around town.
The important thing is that you are a community member, not just an employee. If you can show people that you care about where they live, chances are they’ll care more about where they buy their coffee too.

They Understand How Advertising and Marketing Work.
Marketing is a critical component of any business, whether a franchise or not. A good marketing strategy can help you to stand out from the competition and increase sales. However, it should be based on the needs of your local market, so it’s vital that you understand how advertising and marketing work and how to promote your local franchise to stand out in the marketplace.
You may need to create an effective marketing plan if your franchisor doesn’t provide one for you. Still, many will give you templates from which to work or provide some guidance on developing an effective plan for your business model. If this isn’t possible, there are many online resources where you can find advice about what makes for successful marketing campaigns based on different industries. When developing your marketing plan, the first thing to consider is what type of franchise you are running. How does it differ from other businesses in the same category? If your business is a franchise, then there will be some elements set by the franchisor and others that you can decide for yourself. You can also look at how competitors market their franchises to get ideas.

Successful Franchisees Also Enjoy Being The Boss and Seeing Their Businesses Grow Over Time.
They like the independence that comes with owning a business. Still, they know what they are getting into before signing on as a franchisee. You have to be willing to work long hours for your business to succeed. This can sometimes mean missing out on time spent with friends or family members who don’t understand why some things need doing now rather than later!
However, if you are a person who enjoys being their boss and having a successful business to show for all of your hard work, then becoming a franchisee might be the perfect opportunity for you. If this sounds like something that could interest you, contact our team today for more information about how we can help!

And Lastly, They Have The Proper Capital
Capital is the amount of money you need to start your business. Of course, as a franchisee, some capital will be required to get started, but there are other ways of raising capital. For example, you can approach investors or apply for loans from banks or financial institutions like credit unions.

* Where do I find capital?
* How much do I need?
* How do I raise money?

The amount of capital you need will depend on the type of business you want to start. For example, suppose you’re planning on opening a small retail store or restaurant. In that case, you may only need $10,000 or less in startup capital. On the other hand, if your idea is more complex and requires additional equipment or facilities, you may need between $50,000 and $500,000.

Conclusion

When you sign up with a franchise, they expect you to be committed long-term. Not only does this mean investing money upfront (between $50K-$150K depending on what type of business), but also sticking with it through periods when profits might not come quickly. Such as during the startup phase when everything seems chaotic before systems are correctly implemented or when dealing with setbacks like natural disasters or poor economic conditions affecting customers’ ability to afford products/services being offered by competitors too! If you aren’t willing to put in the hard work upfront, don’t try a startup business because failure rates are high among new entrepreneurs who jump into entrepreneurship without knowing what they are doing.

Franchises are the number one way new entrepreneurs start a business. A franchisee can take advantage of a proven system, brand recognition, and access to capital. But, in return, they must spend time learning about their industry, develop relationships with suppliers and customers, as well as adhere to strict standards set by the franchisor. These requirements differ from starting your own company from scratch but offer many benefits, making them attractive options for businesses seeking growth.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SUCCESS IN THE FRANCHISING INDUSTRY CLICK HERE WWW.FRANGROW.COM

Mindset Over Muscle – Building A Solid Business

Posted on by Franchise Strategist

Photo by Andreas Klassen on Unsplash

As you can see, the mindset will get you to the top. It’s not about the muscle. While you may need some physical strength to push through a rough patch, your mindset will ultimately determine whether or not you succeed.

Mindset Over Muscle – Building A Solid Business
By Dom Hemingway

The world is changing, and you should also change… But if you’re looking for a way to stay relevant, you first need to change how you think. It’s not enough to go with the flow anymore; that can get your business stuck. Instead, it’s time for you to take charge of your future and start thinking like an entrepreneur. This means learning to build a solid business from scratch by developing the right mindset and skillset. This blog post will explore how changing your mindset can help grow your business by overcoming challenges and taking charge of your destiny as an entrepreneur!

The Growth Mindset
Mindset is the driving force behind your success. So if you want to build a solid business, you need to be able to think in ways that will help you succeed.
A strong belief that you can develop your mindset through dedication and mindset practice is called the “Growth Mindset” and is based on three core ideas:

* Your talents and intelligence can grow with effort

* You can develop skills through practice and instruction.

* The brain is like a muscle; it gets stronger with use.

The best way to improve is to stretch yourself and work on challenges slightly beyond your current abilities. The Growth Mindset is about continually expanding your capacity to be more effective in whatever you do and achieve more of the desired results.

Mental Mastery
Mental Mastery is the ability to control your thoughts and emotions. It’s the key to success in any area of life because it allows you to remain calm and focused. Mental Mastery works even when things don’t go your way, or others are trying to distract you from your goals.

The more you practice Mental Mastery, the better you will become at it—and there are many ways to do so: meditation, affirmations, reading self-help books, and journaling. But here’s a straightforward exercise you can do anywhere. First, close your eyes and imagine yourself having already achieved whatever you want (e.g., being a successful entrepreneur). Then describe what it looks like in as much detail as possible (i.e., how does your business look? How do you feel about yourself?).
This exercise will help you visualize your future and activate the Law of Attraction. Plus, it’s fun!

Mental Mastery is the ability to control your thoughts and emotions. It’s the key to success in any area of life. Mental Mastery allows you to remain calm and focused, even when things don’t go your way or when others are trying to distract you from your goals. The more you practice Mental Mastery, the better you will become at it—and there are many ways to do so: meditation, affirmations, reading self-help books, and journaling. Here’s a straightforward exercise you can do: close your eyes and imagine yourself having already achieved whatever you want (e.g., being a successful entrepreneur). Then describe what that looks like in as much detail as possible. Selling is an Attitude, Not a Skill Selling is an attitude, not a skill.
The more you sell, the better you will get.

I remember sitting in my office on my first work day at a small company. I was nervous but excited to start my new career as a salesperson! I remember thinking: “If they only knew how bad I was at selling!” However, it didn’t matter how good or bad a salesperson you were; what mattered was whether or not your attitude towards selling was positive or negative. It is all about mindset and being determined to succeed no matter what obstacles appear in front of you along the way!

The first day of work was a little nerve-wracking. I was very nervous and had no idea what to expect. I remember walking into the office that morning and being introduced to my manager and other salespeople in my territory. Everyone seemed much older than me, making me feel a little out of place at first. But after talking with them for some time, I realized that we had more in common than not—we all liked sports, cars, travel, and meeting new people!

The Law of Abundance
The Law of Abundance says that the universe is abundant and infinite, and you are a part of it. The energy of your thoughts creates your reality. The more you think about money, the more likely you will attract more money into your life.
The Law of Abundance works because when we focus on what we want in life (for example, wealth), we put ourselves in a positive mindset. It attracts things like opportunities, good luck, or others who share similar goals. So if you want to attract abundance into your life, start thinking about everything related to making money!

The Law of Attraction
The Law of Attraction is a theory that states you attract circumstances, events, and relationships into your life based on your thoughts. This isn’t new information, but it has gained popularity in recent years thanks to the book The Voice of Your Soul.
It’s not magic. It doesn’t mean that if you wish for something hard enough and it happens without any work on your part (other than wishing), then it’s The Secret at work. There are still steps to take for your wish to come true!

The Voice of Your Soul teaches us three steps:
1. Ask – Ask yourself what you want. What do I need? Think about what would improve my life and long-term goals that could benefit me now or down the road.
2. Next, believe – Believe that this will happen or already has happened, even though there may be no evidence.
3. Finally, receive – Be patient while waiting for the manifestation of what we asked for–it may take a while depending on how big of an issue we’re dealing with–and celebrate when something finally happens!

The Secret is a great way to interpret what is happening in your life. If you’re not getting what you want, ask yourself how you can change your thoughts to attract the right circumstances into your life. It may take some time before anything happens, but if it doesn’t, change your wish one more time until you get exactly what you want!
mindset, leadership, the law of attraction, entrepreneur Mindset, leadership, and the law of attraction are three things every successful entrepreneur has in common. These elements can be learned and mastered by anyone. Understanding these concepts will help you to build a solid franchise business.

The challenge for most people is that their minds have been programmed for years by teachers, parents, friends, or society. For example: “Don’t think about it too much; just do it!” “Be practical! You can’t change the world!” Or my favorite one: “How could you possibly make money doing what you’re doing? It’s not realistic!”

These messages may seem harmless enough, but they keep us stuck and prevent us from taking action on our goals because they make us feel like we cannot achieve them. They also create fear around our capabilities which stops us from trying new things and having fun in life – all potent tools for success!

If this sounds familiar, then take some time today to create new beliefs around your ability to achieve whatever goals you set yourself this year. Whether they’re small or big, you must start somewhere.
You can do it! Take one step at a time, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Follow your dream, and don’t allow anyone to steal it!

Conclusion
As you can see, the mindset will get you to the top. It’s not about the muscle. While you may need some physical strength to push through a rough patch, your mindset will ultimately determine whether or not you succeed.

THE ADVANTAGES OF OWNING MULTIPLE FRANCHISED UNITS – Part 1

Posted on by Franchise Strategist

Photo by Eiliv-Sonas Aceron on Unsplash

In an already established franchise system, it is easier to find staff that is competent and trustworthy. Instead of hiring new staff from a company you are unfamiliar with, the odds are greater, in a multi-unit franchise, that they have worked in your orbit. In this sense, the ability to hire

THE ADVANTAGES OF OWNING MULTIPLE FRANCHISED UNITS
By Gary Occhiogrosso, Managing Partner of Franchise Growth Solutions.

The advantages of a franchisee owning multiple units are simple and plentiful. First off, the more locations that someone has, the more money they have a chance to make. Buying multiple franchise units may be an initial risk, but once you make the decision to pursue that path, it is advantageous. Because of the large network of administrative staff and resources one has at their disposal, one is able to use the same resources in one location as in any other. This means that you get more growth despite using less resources.

In addition, one can use existing overhead at multiple locations. Because not all the cost goes into one location, it’s easier to spread the risk, as sometimes one location may have a better performance than another. Because a franchise is a network of locations within one company, it is simple to spread the resources around to multiple different locations.
According to the 2016 franchise report by the British Franchise Association (bfa) and NatWest, approximately 29 percent of all British franchisees now own more than one single franchise unit.

“The bigger you get, the more of an opportunity you have to grow and strengthen your bench team, and our bench team is built to take on additional locations and grow,” said Mike Sartwell. Sartwell owns the development rights to the entire state of North Dakota and Montana. His plan is to open three Slim Chickens locations every year until his company’s portfolio reaches 18 units.
I love it, ” Sartwell said about being a multi-unit and multi-brand owner. “It’s fun and exciting, even though it can get a little overwhelming at times. It’s for those reasons that I feel very fortunate to represent two great food brands that offer plenty of support and guidance. Slim Chickens has a southern hospitality way about it and it puts its people, its guests, and its employees first. That’s the kind of brand we want to grow with.”

In an already established franchise system, it is easier to find staff that is competent and trustworthy. Instead of hiring new staff from a company you are unfamiliar with, the odds are greater, in a multi-unit franchise, that they have worked in your orbit. In this sense, the ability to hire “in house” becomes easier when “in house” is more than one physical location.

Most simply put, the knowledge, expertise and resources you get from starting a multi-unit franchise build on one another. Chances of success and competency greatly improve with the more units you have. It is in your best interest, as a franchisee to seek out multiple locations if at all possible.

Stay tuned for part two of this article were we discuss other reasons why owning multiple franchised units is a modern day method of empire building.

SIX TECH TRENDS IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY BORNE OUT OF THE PANDEMIC

Posted on by Franchise Strategist

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

Technology and innovation have helped and in some instances saved restaurants as they changed their way of thinking about the overall guest experience. Many thrived by staying connecting and engaged with their customers with this new worldwide operating model and mindset.

SIX TECH TRENDS IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY BORNE OUT OF THE PANDEMIC
By: Gary Occhiogrosso – Managing Partner Franchise Growth Solutions, LLC.

As a New Yorker in the restaurant and franchise business, I’ve seen the industry go through difficult times over the last two years. From total closure to outdoor dining in the wintertime to mandated “proof of vaccination” rules imposed on citizens. Some moves made by the restaurant industry in response to the pandemic and the government orders resulted in numerous changes.

From an optimistic viewpoint, there have been innovative changes that will remain in place. The good news is we are nearing the end of the pandemic and learning to live in a mostly vaccinated society as guest are returning to restaurants in droves. One of the more forward thinking initiatives is the restaurant industry’s embrace of technology in a way that many restaurateurs had not considered or even shunned before the global pandemic. There is no doubt the COVID-19 pandemic forced many industries to shift to digital mode. The restaurant industry is no exception as it steered toward the use of technology by introducing digital menus and online ordering options to keep its business alive, just to name a few.

Technology and innovation have helped and in some instances saved restaurants as they changed their way of thinking about the overall guest experience. Many thrived by staying connecting and engaged with their customers with this new worldwide operating model and mindset. Everything from online orders to self-checkout, contactless payment methods, and home delivery, the restaurant industry could not afford to ignore the latest trends set in the food industry if they were to remain relevant and competitive.

Here are six tech trends in the restaurant industry borne out of the pandemic. I believe they are here to stay:

Online Ordering
Before the pandemic hit the world, many restaurants were waiting for the right time to introduce online ordering options for their customers. However, the strict lockdown forced the restaurant industry across the globe to close their cafes, QSR’s as well as dine-in services and shift to the digital medium of ordering, payment adn pick-up.

Many online platforms helped the restaurant industry to continue their business by collaborating with them. A study reveals that almost one in three Americans use online food ordering systems once a week. They introduced digital menus for the customers to check what the restaurants are offering.

Contactless Payment
Another mainstream trend in the food industry is contactless payment. It is not only about placing online orders but also about receiving payments through smartcards, smartphones, and smartwatches. Contactless payment originally gained momentum slowly with the global food industry. However, the pandemic gave it a big push to accelerate the concept industry wide.

Ready Contactless Dining
Logo for Ready Contactless Dining app with QR code and text reading Pay Here visible, at a restaurant in the Silicon Valley, San Jose, California, December 18, 2021. Photo courtesy Tech Trends. (Photo by Gado/Getty Images)GADO VIA GETTY IMAGES

It is a more hygienic and safer means of placing an order with no personal interaction and no cash handling. Moreover, it is a quick and convenient way of receiving payment from customers for the orders placed. Restaurants wishing to stay competitive in the handheld device era must design plans that create digital payment methods for a better experience.

Restaurant Reservation Software
For the full service space, automating restaurant reservation schedules, not only increases efficiency in a time of ongoing labor challenges, it also conveys an updated image to your diners. Moreover, it reduces the chances of over or double booking. Short staffed restaurant with extra busy staffers often make mistakes disrupting a great guest experience. Therefore, the reservation software reduces or eliminates the need to attend calls to reserve tables or assign employees to handle the customers.

Drone Food Delivery Systems
With the high cost of third party delivery services, restaurateurs are seeking alternatives. Drone delivery in certain parts of the country are beginning to become popular. Automating the delivery process may eventually lead to some restaurants doing away with the delivery person’s existence entirely. With the advancement of technology, drones soon may completely replace drivers to ensure contactless, timely delivery. Moreover, they can also film the surroundings and offer many avenues for marketing initatives. Having food delivered through drones would eliminate the cost of hiring delivery people and reduce the environmental effects caused by the vehicles while at the same time lessen the need for expensive third party servies.

Chatbots
A newer trend taking hold in the food industry is the use of website Chatbots. Restaurants can easily create chatbots. They do not require much investment and can easily integrate with different communication mediums. While interacting with customers, a chatbox may:

* recommend dishes
* suggest food
* pair drink options
* process payments
*ask for feedback
*offer promotions
*announce events
*and even crack jokes

Air purification:
To increase health security, air quality and purification enters the minds of some guests. As a result, restaurants are focusing on upgrading air purification systems to improve air quality inside their restaurants. Some restaurants opt for filter systems that trap pollutants and neutralize contaminants in the air. Although these concepts are still emerging in the restaurant industry, they are becoming an integral part of safety measure and you can expect to see more of it as we continue to learn to live with the threat of viruses. These air purification measures are in addition to customers expectations that the staff sanitize the restaurant regularly and thoroughly before serving meals.

My “Take Away”
As technology changes everything from the guest experience to the ordering process to the functionality of the kitchens, restaurants must continue to evolve, innovate and monitor consumer trends if they expect to survive and thrive. Embracing the use of technology and digital solutions as a way remain competitive is undoubtedly here today and the future of our business.

Modern Tech Can Give Restaurants An Edge

Posted on by Franchise Strategist

It is much more likely that franchisors, with resources already on hand, will be able to promote system-wide improvements for all franchisees in their systems.

Modern Tech Can Give Restaurant Businesses An Edge
By Jeremy Einbinder

Restaurants are continuing to use newer technologies that have the potential to optimize the experience both for the consumer and the business. Anything that improve customer experience and reduce labor costs- which is very important in a tight market- is a win-win.

Franchised Restaurants Set Themselves Apart

All of these innovations are especially important for franchised restaurants and allows them to set themselves apart from other restaurants. For entrepreneurs looking to open restaurant locations, it can be difficult to gather all the technological resources available to improve operations. It is much more likely that franchisors, with resources already on hand, will be able to promote system-wide improvements for all franchisees in their systems. These technological enhancements are wide-ranging and could set off a franchise restaurant boom.

For instance, instead of third-party delivery apps, many customers report a preference for ordering directly from the restaurant itself. It would be beneficial, if possible, for a company to have their own internal delivery app. In addition to building brand recognition, this also helps businesses avoid paying exorbitant fees.

Fred Kirvan, Founder and CEO of Kirvan Consulting, a New Jersey based restaurant optimization and consulting firm said: “At this year’s National Restaurant Show, we observed some notable improvements in tech-driven kitchen equipment aimed at providing a more consistent product to its end-user but much of the new tech seemed to be aimed at employee retention.”

Look But Don’t Touch

Payment technologies which allow for no-contact money transfer can also prove to be crucial, especially since the pandemic. In keeping with no-touch technology, it is becoming commonplace for customers to also access only menus and order without contact, allowing for a much safer environment for everybody. The cost reduction for restaurants can be substantial.

There are also tech payment options for employee payroll. Kirvan noted: “Companies offering early pay options and incentives were the noticeable standouts for me. Employee retention is key when you can consider all the software available for taking orders, you’re going to need people to prepare those orders.

Reservation applications like Eat App, Tablein, or OpenTable allow customers to see available time slots, and book their times at their convenience. In such apps, users simply view the time slots available with the number of seats needed and select one. This takes away any awkward interaction with staff of someone calling the restaurant and asking for a specific time for a reservation, only to realize it’s not available. For the business, it allows much greater flexibility in managing waitlists as well as customer loyalty.

Reducing Friction for the Front and Back of House

For streamlining customer orders, Kitchen Display Systems are very efficient, allowing both customers and kitchen staff to seamlessly log orders, instantly displaying them on screen according to priority. This also makes accommodating dietary restrictions much easier.

Radwan Masri, a 30 year veteran in the hospitality industry and a leading international culinary consultant and franchise expert with Ayy Karamba Hospitality added “The other side of food service tech driven business is FOH & BOH automation. Labor shortage in the service business combined with an increase demand for delivered food has impacted how food orders is being processed from start to end. Self-Serve ordering stations, QR codes scanning procedures. Your order nowadays through a drive through window is not the same as it used to be. i.e. I order in Chicago via a drive through window while my order is being processed by a mom sitting at home in Atlanta GA!”

This type of innovation is incredibly valuable and can easily cut down on unnecessary laborious tasks for employees. In addition, artificial intelligence technologies like Winnow reduce food waste. Using a camera, Winnow “learns” to recognize different foods being thrown away. It then calculates the financial and environmental cost of this discarded food to commercial kitchens. This in turn saves company’s money.

In Conclusion

If franchisees and independent restauranteurs expect to stay relevant and competitive they need to take advantage of these burgeoning technologies. The guest expectation has risen as a result of the pandemic and most guests will give a restaurant one, perhaps two chances to meet or exceed their exceptions. When it comes to the the overall guest experience, using these technologies gives operators a better chance to succeed.

Franchisor Focus: The One Responsibility of Franchising Too Many Franchisors Overlook

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The relationship between a franchisor and their franchisees touches every aspect of a franchise operation ranging from developing the franchise system to franchisees participating in aggressive price promotions. A positive relationship can enable success while poor franchise relations can thwart it.

Franchisor Focus: The One Responsibility of Franchising Too Many Franchisors Overlook
Courtesy of Ed Teixeira

As I consider subject matter for my franchise blogs it’s sometimes challenging to come up with a stimulating topic. Because I direct content mainly to franchisors, it’s important to provide helpful and constructive information. Whether as a franchisee, franchisor executive or providing operational advice to franchisors I’ve always advocated that a franchisor should have a strong franchise relations strategy. Certain franchisors are familiar with the clichés often attributed to fostering a climate of positive franchise relations, including having profitable franchisees, responding promptly to their emails, telephone calls and requests for assistance. Unfortunately, some franchisors don’t give franchise relations the attention it deserves.

In 1992 I was fortunate to contribute to the first IFA Franchise Relations booklet, so I decided to review articles written by franchisor executives. Although the booklet was published 29 years ago, in terms of franchise relationship management very little has changed. The same principles and policies that were advocated then remain the same. No other component of the franchise business model has remained constant.

The relationship between a franchisor and their franchisees touches every aspect of a franchise operation ranging from developing the franchise system to franchisees participating in aggressive price promotions. A positive relationship can enable success while poor franchise relations can thwart it. Unfortunately, some franchisors ignore how important franchise relations is or fail to have a franchise relationship strategy.

Here are four questions that franchisors need answered to appraise the state of their franchise relations.

Are the franchisees profitable?
Whether using Key Performance Indicators (“KPIs”) or franchisee financial statements to measure franchisee financial and operational performance, this is an important responsibility of every franchisor. Rather than obtaining an answer to this question many franchisors focus on identifying the franchisees that aren’t profitable. The problem with this approach is that the franchisor lacks key financial and operational data that pertain to their entire system and individual franchisees.

Are franchisee customers satisfied with the products or services?
Franchisors should have a method for obtaining franchise feedback regarding the level of customer satisfaction. Whether using customer satisfaction surveys, franchisee focus groups or surveying franchisees its important information that should be gathered. This data benefits the franchisor and its franchisees.

What are our franchisee competitors doing?
Franchisors that display an interest in the behavior of their franchisee competitors will receive high marks from their franchisees. Many franchisors rely upon their franchisees for competitive information, however when the franchisor plays an active role in this process it benefits the franchise system and enhances franchise relations.

Is the franchisor doing the best it can?
Whether using a third-party firm to survey franchisees or doing their own survey, a franchisor must have a method for measuring their franchisee satisfaction levels. When the results are tabulated, the franchisor will know which areas if any can negatively impact franchise relations and may require attention.

Despite the countless changes that have occurred in the franchise industry over the years, one constant is the importance of franchise relationship management. Franchisors should be focused on evaluating and managing their relationship with their franchisees.

About the Author: Ed Teixeira
Ed Teixeira is a recognized franchise expert with over 35 years experience in the franchise industry. He has served as a corporate executive for franchise firms in the retail, manufacturing, healthcare and technology industries and was a franchisee of a multi-million dollar home healthcare franchise. Ed is the author of Franchising From the Inside Out and The Franchise Buyers Manual. He has participated in the CEO Magazine Roundtable Meetings with business leaders from around the country and spoke at a number of venues including the International Franchise Expo and the Chinese Franchise Association in Shanghai, China. Over the course of his career, Ed has been involved with over 1,000 franchise locations and launched franchise concepts from existing business models. Ed can be contacted at 631-246-5782 or [email protected].

Franchisor Focus: The Franchise Development Process Must Be an Unbroken Chain

Posted on by Franchise Strategist

A successful franchise development process can be compared to a chain that consists of links that hold a sprocket or wheel together while they run. If one link in the chain is broken it can stop them from running like the franchise development process being interrupted.

Franchisor Focus: The Franchise Development Process Must Be an Unbroken Chain
By Ed Teixeira

When it comes to growing a franchise network, there are fundamental steps that every franchisor should have in place if they expect to grow their system with qualified franchisees.

Successful lead generation and an effective franchise development team are only part of the requirements needed to achieve system growth, along with components needed to attain positive franchise system growth. These other elements in the franchise development process in combination with lead generation and an effective franchise development team can be compared to links in a chain.

A successful franchise development process can be compared to a chain that consists of links that hold a sprocket or wheel together while they run. If one link in the chain is broken it can stop them from running like the franchise development process being interrupted.


(Click to enlarge diagram)

Franchise development chain diagram
The links in the franchise development chain:

1. Profitable franchisees. If franchisees aren’t profitable, it will be difficult for prospective franchisees to obtain positive validation. Even if the franchisor can have positive franchise growth unless the majority of franchisees are profitable it will only be a matter of time before the franchise prospect realizes the situation.

2. Positive franchisee satisfaction. The franchisor must must be aware of its franchisee satisfaction levels. Using their satisfaction surveys and obtaining personal feedback its essential that franchisors know how satisfied their franchisees are with their franchise. If there is negative feedback regarding franchisor support or other issues, they should be corrected ASAP.

3. Effective franchise development team. Whether the franchisor has in-house franchise development staff, uses brokers or employs a combination of both the development team must be experienced and effective. This requires that the results of the franchise development team are competent and achieve results.

4. Positive system growth. The franchisor should be achieving either positive franchise system growth or at least is not losing franchisees except in the case of a startup franchise. Prospective franchisees can be concerned when a franchisor has negative franchise growth or no growth at all.

5. Productive lead generation. It’s necessary that the franchisor is generating sufficient franchise leads for the franchisor team to work. Depending upon the franchise It can take 100 to 200 franchise leads to complete a franchise transaction. Without enough franchise inquiries or leads it can be difficult to recruit qualified franchise candidates.

6. Adhere to franchise qualification standards. Every franchise prospect should be properly qualified and able to meet the standards of the franchisee profile. Without adhering to the proper standards for qualifying its franchise leads there is a risk of granting a franchise to a poorly qualified individual.

7. Maintain Franchisee Engagement. When a qualified franchise candidate is found it is important that the franchisor representative maintain close contact with the candidate and respond to their concerns and questions. When engagement is not maintained the franchise candidate can lose interest in the franchise opportunity.

The franchise development process is akin to links in a chain if one link is broken the chain stops working. When franchisors follow the proper franchise development process it can lead to successful franchise system growth however, when one step in the process is not followed it can result in a lack of franchise growth.

About the Author:
Ed Teixeira is a recognized franchise expert with over 35 years experience in the franchise industry. He has served as a corporate executive for franchise firms in the retail, manufacturing, healthcare and technology industries and was a franchisee of a multi-million dollar home healthcare franchise. Ed is the author of Franchising From the Inside Out and The Franchise Buyers Manual. He has participated in the CEO Magazine Roundtable Meetings with business leaders from around the country and spoke at a number of venues including the International Franchise Expo and the Chinese Franchise Association in Shanghai, China. Over the course of his career, Ed has been involved with over 1,000 franchise locations and launched franchise concepts from existing business models. Ed can be contacted at 631-246-5782 or [email protected].

THAT 1 PAINTER CONTINUES TO GROW AT AN INDUSTRY RECORD PACE

Posted on by Franchise Strategist

His desire to lift his community up merged with That 1 Painter’s vision for giving: “My goal is to create jobs for the people around me, so when I read the statement Steven gave about Paint It Forward, I liked the idea of giving back to the community in that way.”

That 1 Painter Signs Franchisees in Houston, San Antonio & Las Vegas
By That 1 Painter

That 1 Painter has officially signed three more franchisees, bringing its total to five signed franchisees in their first four months of launching, paving the way for upcoming locations in Houston, San Antonio, and Las Vegas.

These franchisees aren’t shying away from big goals. Motivated by the challenge of growing with a new enterprise, they’re looking forward to seeing That 1 Painter’s proven systems play out in their hometowns to offer jobs to their communities and offer resources to those in need.

That 1 Painter Signs Three More Franchisees
At That 1 Painter, we work hard to build a culture in which everyone thrives because everyone lends a helping hand.

We Show You How To Build Your Team to Build Your Business
For Houston’s Donald Nguyen, knowing this local business thrives in a competitive market is what pulled him to T1P: “I looked at a few of the competitors and liked that That 1 Painter is local. Because That 1 Painter is a new franchise company, the market is more open – compared to the older ones. Also, I like challenges and that’s another reason I want to go with a new one!”

His desire to lift his community up merged with That 1 Painter’s vision for giving: “My goal is to create jobs for the people around me, so when I read the statement Steven gave about Paint It Forward, I liked the idea of giving back to the community in that way.”

Vegas’ own Jose Mendoza sees similarity of vision between he and T1P’s founder “I was looking for a business that was fairly new for opportunities to grow. Steven seems very hands on and shares the same goal to expand.” and knows he’s the best guy to serve his hometown community: “I have been in Vegas for over 30 years and have seen it grow. I enjoy working with people and have extensive customer service skills.”

Josh Montana brings his love of people to San Antonio, “That 1 Painter offers services that help a homeowner make their vision a reality. Our work has a positive ripple effect that starts with the customer and permeates into their neighborhood. The joy achieved by renewing our living space creates a chain reaction of positivity in our neighborhood and personal life.”

That 1 Painter’s dedication to fantastic service is a huge part of what draws people to sign on for a franchise. Evidenced by a multitude of stellar reviews and their doubling revenue during the pandemic, this company has proven their systems work and that they know how to teach them. With an extensive training program that involves personal coaching, a remarkable Brand Team, and seamless scheduling systems, franchisees have enough support to hit the ground running before their business even launches.

That 1 Painter is offering a $10,000 discount off of the regular price of $39,000 to the first ten franchises they sign. That means there are only 5 spots left! Visit that1painterfranchise.com to learn more, and if you’re interested in taking advantage of this limited time special, contact Gary Occhiogrosso at FRANCHISE GROWTH SOLUTIONS [email protected] today.

About That 1 PainterBorn out of a passion and purpose to help people, That 1 Painter has grown since its founding in 2011 to offer over 18 painting services to the communities of Austin, San Marcos, Tyler, Longview, Frisco, and Plano with other locations already in the works. T1P uses its resources and talents to offer free painting to those in need, through their Paint It Forward program and extends it’s missional outreach to refugees in Africa. The very core of this business is to spread love and generosity throughout the world and to bless their customers with outstanding service while achieving their mission
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Franchise Your Business and Expand Your Brand Learn more here: www.frangrow.com

Learn Why Your Should Franchise:https://www.forbes.com/sites/garyocchiogrosso/2020/12/09/5-key-reasons-to-franchise-a-restaurant-concept/?sh=3b4686245309

Five Skills for Successfully Turning Ideas Into Reality

Posted on by Franchise Strategist

5 skills for successfully turning ideas into reality

(BPT) – People across the world have tackled immense challenges since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic, from social isolation to financial burdens, in a distanced and digitally enabled world. As a result, many important projects were put on hold. But at the same time, many people took the opportunity to make bigger and better plans — and are ready to make these dreams a reality.

In a recent global survey conducted by Project Management Institute (PMI), nearly four in five consumers (79%) said they consider 2021 to be a “do-over,” and an even greater number, 86%, plan to work harder this year to bring their ideas to life.

“The pandemic disrupted countless 2020 plans, but many leaders and innovative thinkers used the time wisely to map out their next moves,” says Mike DePrisco, chief operating officer for PMI. “As more communities and organizations across the globe cautiously turn to recovery and revival, teams are increasingly focused on turning their stalled projects into reality.”

But turning ideas into reality doesn’t come easy. Whether you’re looking to level up in your career, kick-start a new project or create a completely new business, PMI outlines the power skills you need to continue advancing:

1. Communication

Effective communication maximizes success and minimizes risk. It involves not only conducting outward-bound communication, but also listening, taking feedback, understanding nonverbal cues, and interpreting what is meant versus what is said. In a team setting, communication helps team members stay on the same page as they work toward success.

2. Empathy

Empathy allows team members to build greater trust and connections — with each other and with other stakeholders — by helping them understand the wide range of people and work styles they encounter. Empathy also strengthens teams by helping team members feel appreciated and heard.

3. Collaborative leadership

A collaborative leadership style is more effective in inspiring and bringing team members together in pursuit of a shared vision and common goals. Collaborative leaders recognize that each member of the team has something to contribute — in executing a plan and in helping shape objectives.

4. Innovative mindset

An innovative mindset ensures teams are applying new ideas and fresh perspectives to how they organize work and address the myriad obstacles that emerge when turning ideas into reality. An innovative mindset also allows teams to remain agile and pivot more quickly in the face of challenges.

5. Purpose-driven goals

Having a for-purpose orientation helps minimize risks and ensures the organization’s values and commitment to social good are infused in all aspects of project design and implementation. Clear goals also empower changemakers to use their skills to bring about positive social change within teams, companies and communities.

To learn more about these skills and effective project management, visit PMI.org/MakeReality, a virtual hub of inspiration with the tools you need to get started on your next big, bold idea. Find support and inspiration from changemakers across the globe turning their ideas into reality; determine your changemaker persona; and view PMI courses that help you take your project or idea and Make Reality, such as KICKOFF, a free, 45-minute digital course and toolkit that guides learners through the basics of project management with bite-sized content and downloadable templates they can quickly implement on the job.


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Learn more about turning your idea into a nationwide franchise click here: www.franchisegrtowthsolutions.com

FLAWED STRATEGIC THINKING THAT DRIVES SERIOUS FRANCHISE LEADS TO DISQUALIFY YOU

Posted on by Franchise Strategist

Flawed Strategic Thinking That Drives Serious Franchise Leads to Disqualify You

By Paul Keiser
I Show Franchise Business Developers and Brokers How to Automatically Find Serious Leads

The leading reason we’ve found causing serious leads to disqualify brands and brokers from consideration is a lack of strategic thought, time and attention given to 21st Century aspects of franchise business development. As an industry, franchise business development methods are mired in tactics over 25-years old. It takes serious reflection and change to adapt to emerging 21st Century franchise buyer behavior and their very different expectations.

Here are five inter-related company cultural and strategic issues that, if ignored, cause serious leads to disqualify you from consideration.

Recognize Franchise Business Development is a Business within a Business
As they begin to scale, franchisors and brokers often struggle with business development. That’s because the knowledge and experience to do it well aren’t part of the operations or customer excellence skill sets of many owners and investors.

Franchise business development is actually a business within the larger franchise business with different needs. Recognizing this, and then properly staffing, funding and executing around a set of realistic goals can put you on a sustainable pathway to success.

Unfortunately, too many try to fix a faltering franchise business development program with band-aids; neglecting the thought needed to find the root causes of problems, not just surface symptoms.

Why…because it’s easy. Tactical solutions make everyone feel good. In fact, re-imagining a 21st Century version of franchise business development requires digging deeper.

To meet the challenge, three strategic areas critical to franchise business development must harmonize:

Storytelling
Finding and Nurturing Serious Leads
Intelligent Pipeline Management
Think of each of these areas as a leg of a stool. If the legs aren’t aligned, then the stool teeters and totters making it useless.

Do nothing and watch as serious leads disqualify you.

Inertia Kills Brands and Brokers
Many brands and brokers become paralyzed by the breadth and depth of change needed to adapt to the changing macro environment of franchise business development. The smaller the brand or broker the more daunting the challenges.

Smaller brands and brokers aren’t often blessed with tens of thousands of dollars laying around to “experiment” or try something new; so, fear stifles decision-making.

But time kills deals. Time also kills brands and brokers unwilling to adapt. It’s time to step up and either hire or develop the skills to upgrade franchise business development methodologies. The market isn’t waiting. Brands and brokers that grab an early mover advantage will prosper; while laggards will fall by the wayside.

Do nothing and watch serious leads disqualify you

Lack of Expertise
The skill sets needed to address both franchise business development technology and people’s evolving behavior doesn’t necessarily reside in most franchisors and brokers, who are often solo practitioners. Many franchisors have consumer marketing pros or agencies supporting franchisees. However, these same highly-talented people are inexperienced in the “black arts” of franchise business development and the psychological journey a serious lead embarks on in the Internet Age. You hired them to drive traffic into your stores and restaurants; not recruit franchisees. And likely they do a very good job for you.

Giving franchise business development insufficient support or forcing business developers to work with meager lead generation budgets or whatever software is around or cheap is commonplace. That’s a lazy approach and speaks to a lack of understanding of how to successfully grow a franchise business development powerhouse.

Ownership and leadership need to step up and either acquire or outsource the knowledge needed to reliably scale the business.

Do nothing and watch serious leads disqualify you.

The Internet Upends Traditional Notions of Franchisee Recruitment
Every generation from 1995 forward has been reshaped by the Internet. Consumers complete almost 75% of brand research for high-end goods and services on the web before making a call or a visit. They expect transparency. Your storytelling needs to meet a higher standard of excellence or these serious leads will just move on. So, ask yourself, do you tease or hide information or do you educate on your franchise business development website?

Text messaging has rapidly changed the franchise business development communication landscape. Today’s serious leads comfortably text back and forth with your business developer before engaging. What does that do to old-fashioned “dialing for dollars” models? Which leads are more engaged and serious?

Your franchise website is now expected to tell your whole story. It’s not just a brochure anymore or a landing page to get a form filled out. You’re forced to dig deeper to articulate your competitive differentiation. A test: if you can put your name on a competitor’s website, then something’s wrong with your story.

All brands are coming to grips with ever rising lead generation costs. Can we harness the vast potential of social media and online advertising to create affordable serious leads prospect? Can these newer channels become a game changer or are they just one more money drain? How do these leads convert into your pipeline compared to other channels?

Do nothing and watch serious leads disqualify you.

Leads Now Have the Power

Leads now control the research process. In fact, 75% of their research is already done before first contact. Serious leads expect complete and transparent information about brands. So, a solid story and a dedicated franchise business development online presence are now table stakes with serious leads. These serious leads engage when they’re ready; not before. So encourage them to do that by delivering a brand education experience that gets them emotionally and rationally invested in your franchise opportunity.

Do nothing and watch serious leads disqualify you.

Franchise Pipeline Solutions (FPS) helps new and emerging franchise brands find their most serious leads using an integrated pipeline management system. It combines enterprise-class CRM with multi-channel Marketing Automation, 1:1 and bulk text messaging, behavioral scoring and auto call scheduling. Our proven approach has been in worldwide use for over eight years.

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About the Author:
Paul Keiser has over 40 years of experience franchise development, social media and online lead generation, email nurture, marketing automation and brand storytelling. Today he makes his living giving precious time back to franchise brand business developers and franchise brokers by helping them find serious leads so they focus on more of the right people and do more deals.