Press Release – Oath Pizza Franchisee Partner Launches New Fast-Casual, Feel-Good Pizza Concept in El Segundo

Posted on June 1, 2023June 22, 2023 by Franchise Strategist

Oath Pizza Franchisee Partner Launches New Fast-Casual, Feel-Good Pizza Concept in El Segundo
Press Release supplied by Oath Pizza

El Segundo, Southern California – El Segundo, we have some delicious news for you! Franchise Group Brothers Empire, made up of partners Mandeep Singh, Kulwant Jafal, and Garish Talwar opened a new Oath Pizza location right here, celebrating their Grand Opening on Friday, May 26th. Our team is incredibly excited to bring its feel-good menu and experience to life in such a vibrant hub of Southern California. Oath El Segundo will beautifully highlight the team’s updated brand design, take-out, and delivery-focused prototype, alongside its seamless and rewarding online ordering capabilities. Join us on our mission to inspire happiness under this new and exciting leadership group.

“We could not be more pleased and encouraged by our partnership with Mandeep and his family in bringing Oath Pizza to the Los Angeles community. I have great respect for the roots of elevated pizza, and as a personal hero of mine, hope we are able to live up to Wolfgang’s high standards and proud tradition. Thank you for the opportunity L.A.!” – Drew Kellogg, CEO
Oath was founded to help our guests eat better without having to give up the food we all love most, Pizza! Our flagship store on Nantucket Island was born in 2015, and we have since become known for our award-winning crust: hand stretched (with love!), grilled, and seared in avocado oil. What is Oath? Oath is a team of like-minded individuals that strive for individual excellence, to empower themselves and those around them, and to have some fun! Delicious food crafted by hand selected teams is our vehicle to bring this vision to life. “The crew is ecstatic and eager to provide the tastiest pizza in town. We are convinced that you will fall in love with both our pizza and our service.” – Mandeep Singh, Franchise Co-Owner

Let’s talk about the Oath Experience. Our goal is to provide you with pizza in whatever way works best for you. If you are looking to dine in and hang out with us (yay!), simply walk in, someone from our team will greet and walk you through our menu options. Looking for a quick grab and go? Our experience is designed to be fast paced with our ovens that cook our pies within just a minute and a half… Yes, you read that correctly! We of course offer delivery & pick up options as well. Our recommendation is to place your orders directly through our website or app, so that you can take full advantage of our loyalty program. Delivery is also available from your choice of third party platform: ubereats, doordash, grubhub, and more.
“Oath is about great pizza, pure and simple. As the leader of Oath’s operations, my job is to make the system easy to train, and easy to execute, so that the pizza can shine. Pizza is a happy experience and our mission is to inspire happiness, one pizza at a time. We can’t wait to meet you!” – Dave Jamieson, VP Operations

Oath continues its nationwide expansion through its optimization of the brand and business under the leadership of former Chipotle executives. Oath franchising is now available to applicants nationwide. The opportunity has quickly risen to a top business consideration for its future-forward advantages: a small footprint, simple operation, reliable supply chain, and minimal labor requirements per shift. Oath Pizza’s better-for-you product and brand intersect the billion-dollar-and-growing pizza industry and trillion dollar global wellness market. Want to join the quickly growing team of Franchise Partners? Learn more here.

We always welcome any questions or requests for further information about the opening, and are excited to continue sharing our story with the first (of many!) new locations in this community. Our team is always available to provide interviews, arrange visits to the restaurant, and share what we’re all about. Oath Pizza has not only a unique story, but a unique mission driven by intentional values, and we are eager to share this.

For more information about becoming an Oath Pizza franchisee, please contact: [email protected]
Learn More Here: https://franchisegrowthsolutions.com/listing/oath-pizza/

(FRANCHISE OFFER MADE BY PROSPECTUS ONLY)

When “Common Sense” isn’t so common – Franchising Regulation

Posted on May 21, 2023 by Franchise Strategist

Photo by Sora Shimazaki

When “Common Sense” isn’t so common.
Request for Information – Franchising Regulation – FTC

Original Published Date: May 19, 2023
Author: WorldWise Franchise

Anti-Franchisee lobbying organizations are “worried” and “concerned” that the overwhelming majority of comments to the Federal Trade Commission (Requests for information concerning Franchising) are by Cherished Franchisees concerning many of the issues we have been promoting on behalf of Franchisees are now bubbling to the top.

So much so that they are offering to literally write responses on behalf of those of the same “ilk” that oppose anything that might benefit Cherished Franchisees; you’d expect nothing less from a trade/lobbying organization who’s sole purpose is to oppose fundamental fairness and “Total Quality Franchising” on behalf of Franchisees. “Fair Franchising Standards” is not part of their lexicon. Expected as well when you consider that nearly 50% of the revenue for one particular organization amounts to those monies being used for salaries and benefits for those employed by it.

When inside the beltway of DC, never having to have mopped a floor, cleaned a room, drove a van in a service area, climbed a roof, scrubbed a grease trap, or owned a franchise this is great work if you can get it and the perks are plentiful. Cherished Franchisees don’t have donors ready to write checks so they can meet Friday’s payroll and monthly expenses. Its hard work.

AAHOA, The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (aahoa.com) , is Americas Largest Hotel Organization representing 60% of all hotels owned, 20,000 thousand hoteliers, and some 36,000 hotels. Founded in 1989, their “12 Points of Fair Franchising” strongly state their position as a unified and incredibly viable force to perfect and enhance the franchise model for Cherished Franchisees, its own and others.

The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD.org) was founded in May of 1992 with its original mission to “Bring Fairness to Franchising” and it hasn’t stopped since. In fact, its “Franchisee Bill of Rights” was promulgated in 1996 and still stands today as the definitive objectives to be achieved by Cherished Franchisees. The desire, of course, is to accomplish this in conjunction and collaboration with enlightened and fair franchisors who know that happy Franchisees make for the strongest of franchise systems.

CFA, The Coalition of Franchise Associations (thecfainc.com) founded in 2007, was formed with the mission “To leverage the collective strengths of franchisee associations for the benefit of the franchisee community”. The “Universal Franchisee Bill of Rights” outlines the necessary elements of fair franchising. The “Universal Franchisee Bill of Rights” is a hybrid compilation from significant work that has been done by the AAFD, AAHOA, AFA, CFA Fair Franchising Committee, individuals from those prominent organizations, and other friends and supporters of Franchisees. It is the intent that we create a “Universal Franchisee Bill of Rights” that no one organization can claim as their own, but members of the greater franchise community can endorse.

As to the title of this article, “When “Common Sense” isn’t so common” we find the reasoning and rational of those opposed to these organizations as well as what they stand for and promote as being without plain and fairly straightforward common sense. You’ll find posted within this article the stated objectives of each of the organizations and for all intent and purpose, their combination as being a representative sample of “common sense” on behalf of Cherished Franchisees.

To deny that any of the standards and statements made belies clear common sense. Cherished Franchisees know it, franchise attorneys know it, anti-Franchisee trade and lobbying organizations know it, Legislators know it, and of course, the Federal Trade Commission knows it better than most. Thus the FTCs “Request for Information” concerning franchise regulation.

As of the date and time of this writing, there are 248 posts overwhelming in favor of franchise regulation change: (https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FTC-2023-0026/comments)

You’ll note also that many are marked “anonymous” for fear of retribution by their franchisors which unfortunately has proven itself to be true in far too many cases.

Now is YOUR TIME to add your voice, to express your opinions and to be heard by the agency that counts most at this time, The Federal Trade Commission.

We can’t stress the importance of taking advantage of this opportunity. Please submit your comments. Here is the link to submit your comments.

https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FTC-2023-0026-0001

To look at the full Request for Information, you can see it here:

https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/Franchise-RFI.pdf

Should you require any additional information, feel free to contact us directly.

Document Links:

AAFD Franchise Bill of Rights

AAHOA 12 Points of Fair Franchising

CFA – Universal Franchise Bill of Rights

Franchising Strategy: Strategic Business Plan Development

Posted on May 17, 2023May 17, 2023 by Franchise Strategist

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko

<strong>Franchising Strategy: Strategic Business Plan Development</strong>

Franchising Strategy: Strategic Business Plan Development
By David G Komatz

As with any business, you must have a solid business plan. Do not think that you can start a franchise without a good plan. The plan is a roadmap to how you will operate, how you will reach new franchisees, how you will market your business and must have solid financials. A mistake of a single percentage point on a franchise royalty can easily cost you millions of dollars. It does not seem like a big mistake, when you have a single franchisee. It simply means that the franchisor will make $5,000 less in royalty revenues. But in franchising, we are talking about continuing growth, and this mistake might be multiplied 100 times or more. Other business decisions that a new franchisor will make that could impact long-term profitability include:

• Advertising fees

• Technology fees

• Product margins

• Type of franchise offered (individual, area development, area representative, etc.)

• Organizational structure

• Compensation structure

• Geographic growth strategy

• Territorial rights provided to franchisees

• Reservations of rights for the franchisor

• Franchise Disclosure Documents

Conflicting or ambiguous communications when a franchise is first sold can form the basis for future franchise litigation. The cost of defending any franchise lawsuit, even an inconsequential one, can be enormous. The cost of prosecuting even a “small” franchise litigation lawsuit can easily exceed $100,000 to $200,000, or more.

You must have a solid, coherent Franchise Disclosure Document. An integrated Franchise Compliance Program that stipulates rules and expectations, manages Franchise Disclosure Documents and controls the publishing of all information is extremely important. It is also one of the best investments a franchise company will ever make.

Understanding a franchise agreement

A Franchise Agreement includes all of the key facets, requirements and principles of the franchise, including the privileges and commitments of both parties, the length of time the agreement will last, the territory (if any) granted to the franchisee, and the costs involved and how they are to be calculated.

A Franchise Agreement is the foundation of your business. You must be certain that you understand it clearly before you start to build on it. The following is an outline of some of the key aspects contained in Franchise Agreements.

Every Franchise Agreement needs to be carefully read and you should therefore have your attorney review the Agreement clause by clause with you, to make certain that you understand all of its terms. Franchisees also need to be aware that, while it can be relatively simple to enter into a Franchise Agreement, it may be far more difficult to remove yourself from one. A standard Franchise Agreement is a long-term commitment to a third party (often of six to ten years in length). The Agreement will include stringent requirements which have to be complied with for the full length of the term. Failure to conform to these requirements may in many situations allow the franchisor to terminate the Agreement.

While the strict stipulations of Franchise Agreements are there to protect the interests of all parties and particularly the franchise system, from time to time Franchise Agreements can include or exclude clauses which aim to protect the franchisor.

A provision that any costs involved in defending the use of the trademark should be paid by the franchisee

Immediate rights for the franchisor to cancel without notice if the franchisee misses or delays payment of royalties

Lack of clauses regarding ongoing support, training and development of the business by the franchisor

Limitation of the franchisor’s liability to the franchisee even if the franchisor breaches their requirements to the franchisee

Widely drafted clauses undermining a franchisee’s ‘exclusive’ territory in unwarranted circumstances.

The presence of these clauses will vary between Franchise Agreements. An experienced franchise lawyer will be able to highlight them for you. Some franchisors will not be willing to make any changes to their agreements especially when there are other franchisees already in operation.

Regardless of what you may dislike about some provisions in a Franchise Agreement, it is nevertheless essential that you understand it fully and the requirements it places on you as a franchisee. Careful attention should also be paid to supplementary documents, as these may contain provisions that, if breached, constitute a breach of the Franchise Agreement.

You should also be certain that any pre-contractual statements regarding turnover or other aspects of the business that may have attracted you to the franchise are carried over into the Franchise Agreement or in some other written form.

Grant of Rights

The Grant of Rights sets out the term of the franchise and its renewal provisions. It is important to make certain that the term of the franchise is adequate to allow you to achieve a realistic return on your investment. Renewal provisions need to be looked at carefully along with any renewal fees. They may contain some or all of the following:

Notice of renewal – this is usually required within strict timeframes. If the renewal notice is not given in time, the right to do so may be lost

Payment of renewal fee

Changes to terms of the Agreement by the franchisor upon renewal

Changes to the franchise territory size by the franchisor where the particular Agreement provides exclusive rights to the franchisee

Changes, alterations and improvements to operating practices to meet competitive and other challenges

First options or first rights of refusal for additional franchises.

It is important that the franchisee understands that, more often than not, the right of renewal may in fact be a right in favor of the franchisor. The franchisor often has the ability to reject the renewal if a franchisee has not been performing to set standards.

Ongoing costs and royalties

Many Franchise Agreements include ongoing payments to the franchisor such as:

• Royalties

• Advertising levies

• Mark-ups or margins on products supplied by the franchisors

• Training fees.

There may also be requirement to attend franchise conferences and other meetings. The Agreement should clearly set out the details of what has to be paid and when, including circumstances relating to any deposits payable before securing the franchise.

For advertising and promotion costs, the Agreement should specify when the payment is to be made and to whom, including details of any special banking arrangements. Back-up assistance and assistance are essential to the operation of a successful franchise. Details of the support and training to be provided by the franchisor should be stated in the Agreement, including both initial and ongoing assistance. As well as having your attorney review the Agreement for these provisions, talk to existing franchisees about the level of support they have received.

Initial costs

The Agreement, or often an ancillary document, should set out in full all beginning costs. These may include the initial franchise fee, equipment costs, working capital requirements, fit-out costs, initial training costs and the cost of opening stock.

Premises, leases and mobiles

Lease provisions usually allow the franchisor to take over the lease at the end of the term, and also if the franchisee defaults during the term

Often the franchisor will lease the property itself and grant a sub-lease to the franchisee. You are responsible for paying the rent, so you should ensure the amount negotiated is a fair market rent

Mobile franchises usually contain terms that set out the sign writing and other d�cor required by the vehicles from which the business is operated, and possibly for any major items of equipment

One issue that is often overlooked is the need to ensure that the length of the franchise term coincides with the length of the lease term.

Requirements

Every Agreement should contain clauses setting out the initial and continuing requirements of both franchisor and franchisee

• Examples of franchisee requirements include minimum operating hours, insurance, engagement of staff, and uniform requirements.

• Examples of franchisor’s requirements include maintaining the manuals, providing products, and training

• Records of accounting must be up-to-date, with regular reporting and auditing

• Intending franchisees should pay careful attention to the requirements since breach of any may entitle the franchisor to terminate the franchise.

Intellectual property

Intellectual property is a key element of most Franchise Agreements, specifying legal ownership rights by the franchisor concerning patents, copyright, trademarks, designs and even operating systems. Other relevant laws include the Fair Trading Act and common law rules prohibiting the copying of a business’s identity.

Sale of the franchise

Most Agreements will allow the franchise to be sold during its term, but you should note that as a franchisee your rights to sell the business may be restricted.

• The franchisee may have to give the franchisor the right to buy the business first known as right of first refusal, which in itself can destabilize the value of that business and the goodwill for a selling franchisee

• If the franchisor chooses not to purchase, they may rigorously control the sale process

• The incoming franchisee must be approved by the franchisor

There may be a transfer approval fee, which the franchisee will need to pay to the franchisor when a sale takes place. This is designed to cover the franchisor’s costs involved in training the incoming franchisee.

In some Franchise Agreements, the term of an existing franchise for sales purposes covers only its unexpired remainder, unless the Agreement provides for the franchisor to offer a new Agreement for a full new term.

Termination

Franchise Agreements provide for circumstances in which the Agreement may be terminated in advance of the original ending date. These include:

• Bankruptcy, company liquidation or criminal conviction of the franchisee

• Termination of leases to the franchise premises (where premises retention is important).

Termination provisions should be considered carefully as they are often points of disagreement. There are frequent misunderstandings by franchisees as to what happens at the end of a term and procedures vary from one franchise system to another. However, it should also be kept in mind that if the franchise is operating well and the franchise relationship is a good one, it is likely that both franchisee and franchisor will want to renew the Agreement.

Disputes

Although disagreements between franchisors and franchisees are usually solved through discussion and negotiation, mediation and arbitration are also effective methods for working out disputes and less damaging to franchise relationships than legal proceedings.

Other terms

The Entire Agreement clause is especially important as it usually states that what is contained in the Agreement overrides anything which may previously have been promised unless it is expressly referred to in the Agreement

As a franchisee, you should be certain that anything on which you have relied in selecting your franchise is included in the Agreement in some way

The Definitions section, usually close to the beginning of the Franchise Agreement, contains key definitions. One of the most important is Gross Sales, the figure on which the franchisor’s royalty is usually based. Usually this covers substantially every type of transaction carried out by the business and almost every payment received. Often it will include sales made, whether or not payment has actually been received.

David G Komatz is a seasoned leader and manager and has studied franchising extensively. He is versed in the many aspects of franchising including preparing the manuals and policies used in new franchises.

Be sure to obtain his book “Franchising” available at https://www.amazon.com/author/dgkomatz.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/David_G_Komatz/1543625

http://EzineArticles.com/?Franchising-Strategy:-Strategic-Business-Plan-Development&id=10541277

HOW TO SOLVE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES OF A HYBRID WORKFORCE

Posted on April 23, 2023July 8, 2023 by Franchise Strategist

According to Forrester, 70% of U.S. and European companies will pivot to a hybrid work model post-pandemic. What’s more, 75% of CEOs expect their office spaces to shrink, so the space that is retained must be intentionally created with hybrid in mind.

How to solve the biggest challenges of a hybrid workforce

Contributed by BrandPoint

(BPT) – Since the onset of the global pandemic there has been a paradigm shift that work is what you do, not where you do it. As workers increasingly return to traditional offices, the need to transform the space into more dynamic and collaborative business centers grows.

“The problem is that while many American employers have embraced this model for their employees, they have not fully implemented collaborative strategies and the necessary technologies that help workers remain productive, creative and inspired in and out of the office setting,” said Shannon MacKay, general manager of WW Smart Collaboration Business Group, Lenovo.

Adopting the right technologies so employees can seamlessly work in the office, at home or elsewhere is key to the success of hybrid work. When done correctly, it can set an organization up for success: According to a recent Lenovo study, a majority (77%) of employees and IT decision-makers believe that productivity and collaboration tools have made or will make their business more efficient in the long run.

When done poorly it can diminish productivity, culture and ultimately, the workforce: According to the Adobe State of Work Report, 32% of workers (nearly a third) have said goodbye to an employer whose tech was a barrier to their ability to do good work — up from 22% pre-COVID.

Hybrid work will require new ways of collaborating to ensure an inclusive environment that attracts and retains top talent. This is particularly important considering in-person meetings will drop from 60% of total enterprise meetings to just 25% by 2024, according to Gartner’s 2021 Digital Worker Experience Survey.

Unfortunately, the Lenovo study shows large enterprises report an average of three unified communication/collaboration applications in use at their companies. This makes collaboration complex and a daily pain point for workers. Not only does this restrict communication, so many of the important interactions between people that build company culture and teams are lost.

“Hearing the live reactions, or impromptu exchanges going on at the end of the table is the difference between feeling like an equal citizen at a hybrid meeting and feeling like a second class one. What about if those microphones can auto-adjust to the positioning of the participants in the room and upweight the sound of those on the right of the room in the right-hand speaker to make it as realistic as possible for those at home too?” said MacKay.

Purpose-built technology like Lenovo’s new ThinkSmart One, the world’s first Windows-based completely integrated collaboration bar, anticipates the continued growth of hybrid meeting spaces as businesses strive to find innovative ways to work together in a distributed workforce. Designed to easily equip small meeting rooms, the bar offers an exceptional audio-visual through eight microphone arrays with echo and noise cancellation, 15-Watt stereo speakers and an integrated high-resolution camera with wide field of view.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when adjusting to hybrid work. It is critical for IT leaders to reassess their technologies and best practices to ensure all participants have an equal opportunity to collaborate, share ideas and influence decisions. Companies focused on a successful ‘return to work’ plan must implement customizable technologies to make sure their office setup matches their employees’ needs.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES HELP THIS SARPINO’S USA FRANCHISEE GROW HIS BUSINESS

Posted on April 22, 2023July 3, 2023 by Franchise Strategist

ELECTRIC VEHICLES HELP THIS SARPINO’S USA FRANCHISEE GROW HIS BUSINESS
Used with permission from Sarpino’s USA

Electric vehicles are helping Sarpino’s USA Franchisee Girmantas Urbonas attract new employees and customers while reducing costs. Based in the Chicago suburb of Downers Grove, Urbonas has prioritized sustainability in his local community by completing deliveries with electric vehicles. While he believes the choice is a worthwhile environmental investment that will create long-term savings and economic efficiencies, there has been an added benefit of going electric.

Recruitment Tool
The vehicles have ended up selling themselves because they are attracting delivery drivers to his business. This is a crucial recruitment tool in today’s competitive labor market.

“I have not had a problem finding delivery drivers. Maybe partly because we pay better than other places. We are also busier than most of our competitors. But the cars also work as an incredible tool for advertising,” said Urbonas.

Electric Vehicles Require Limited Maintenance
Even with hybrid cars, you need to change the oil often, maintain the belts and the engine. “With electric, we replace the batteries every two years, but that’s it. There’s very little upkeep. Plus, with gas cars, there were always complaints among employees. Who was going to put gas in the car? We charge overnight and that’s enough power to last the whole day,” adds Urbonas.

Environmental Impact
“We often post about how many tons of CO2 savings we achieve in one month because of our electric vehicles and their efficiencies,” said Urbonas. “And, because we deliver a lot in the late-night hours, it’s a bonus that these cars are so quiet.”

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE:https://sarpinosfranchise.com/franchise/electric-vehicles-help-this-sarpinos-usa-franchisee-grow-his-business/

TIPS ON COMMUNICATING SUCCESSFULLY WITH YOUR EMPLOYEES

Posted on April 12, 2023May 4, 2023 by Franchise Strategist

Tips on Communicating Successfully With Your Employees

Introduction

When you are in charge of anything, communication is a crucial aspect of the task, but its relevance increases if you are in a leadership role regarding employees. The method in which you interact with your employees may have a substantial impact on how they feel about their jobs and the quality of work they do. You want them to feel heard and appreciated. You also want them to feel free to make mistakes without fear of censure or punishment. However, accountability for their actions should not be overshadowed by communicating in such a way that they are not aware of a mistake. It’s how you use the mistake to improve that count. This is why it is crucial to know how to communicate most effectively with them: you want them to feel heard and appreciated, but you also want them to feel comfortable speaking freely without fear of making a mistake.

Set The Tone

Set the tone by being a good example for people to follow. As your employees will mirror your behavior and emulate how you deal with them if you set a good example, it is crucial that you courteously communicate with them.

Preserve coherence to establish a tone. Ensure that every team member is aware of the expected behaviors while communicating with one another, whether through email or in-person meetings; then adhere to these standards in all of your communications. The use of proper words is critical to maintaining clear and professional communication, particularly in a workplace environment.

When dealing with employee disputes, you should set the tone by being kind and impartial (and even between managers). When there is a dispute between two individuals or teams at work, you shouldn’t let it develop into a full-scale conflict; instead, you should attempt to resolve the issue amicably before involving higher-ups if necessary. If you allow the situation to grow into a full-scale battle, you will only make matters worse.

Communicate In Person

Unquestionably, emailing your workers is an excellent way to stay in contact with them. Face-to-face engagement, on the other hand, cannot be compared to any other kind of communication in terms of delivering crucial information and managing workers’ emotions. When you are face-to-face with your employees, you can read their body language and assess how they respond to your words, and vice versa. You can also convey the tone of voice and facial expressions, which is far more complicated (or impossible), through email.

Due to recent improvements in videoconferencing technology, it is now possible for individuals on opposite sides of the globe who have yet to meet to want or need something from each other (such as comments on performance appraisals) to connect.

Ask Questions, Not Statements.

Ask open-ended inquiries. This can help you better comprehend the employee’s perspective and encourage them to respond more thoughtfully.
People sometimes do not like it when you answer a question with a question, but do it anyway. It conveys an interest in what the other person is attempting to communicate and your desire to truly understand them.

Whenever feasible, you should avoid asking yes/no questions and making “if/then” statements since these queries tend to be too binary for most situations. Instead, you should ask yourself: what else could this person possibly be thinking? What would be different from their vantage point? And what reaction would I get if I told them this?

People Should Be Allowed To Speak Openly

While communicating with your workers, you must allow them to express themselves freely. As a leader, it is crucial that you listen to what people have to say without interrupting or casting judgment on what they say. It is preferable to ask questions when something does not make sense rather than make assumptions or speculations.

It would be best to allow them space to express themselves without feeling compelled by your emotions interfering with the dialogue. For example, when a team member makes a mistake, you may feel angry or frustrated. Nevertheless, it would be best to refrain from responding emotionally since doing so will only exacerbate the problem and distract your teammates from what matters most: how effectively they execute their job.

Practice being an attentive listener (and observer)

The single most important thing you can do as a leader is to listen to the input supplied by your workers. You may decide not to execute on the suggestion, but at least it should be heard and considered

Listen to what they have to say and observe their behavior, not just in the workplace but also in other contexts. This entails studying closely how folks interact in person and through technological means such as email and text messages. You may find that some of your best ideas come from observing patterns of behavior that have not been explicitly brought up but are nonetheless significant (for instance, an employee may always respond to questions about a project with “I’m on it!”; this could indicate that she needs additional direction). Conversely, you may also discover that some of your finest ideas result from recognizing patterns of conduct that have not been expressly mentioned but are nevertheless significant.

Don’t Allow Job Titles To Distract You.

Keep job titles and responsibilities from distracting you throughout the recruitment process. Instead, please focus on the person, their achievements, and degree of competence. Focus on what they can do for your company and how they can help you achieve your goals.

It is easy to fall into the trap of focusing on resumes instead of people when filling a job quickly; this is particularly crucial for recruiting managers with limited resources and time restrictions. This is particularly critical when recruiting managers have limited money and time. Yet suppose everyone concentrates on credentials instead of personalities and character qualities. In that case, it becomes hard for candidates with tremendous potential but insufficient experience to distinguish themselves from others with more relevant expertise but less overall potential. This is because qualifications are objective, but personality characteristics and character traits are subjective (for example: if one person has worked as an assistant manager while another has worked as an entry-level employee).

Clear Communication Is King

One of the essential components of being a great leader is the ability to communicate with others, yet this can be challenging. Please remember that communication is a two-way street; if you want to get the most out of it with your employees, you must be open and honest.

Listening to what they are saying is crucial, so try asking questions such as “What do you think?” or “Can you give me some examples?” Listening more than speaking makes individuals feel more comfortable opening up about sensitive topics. Again, it is essential that you pay close attention to what they are saying. Consider asking, “What do you think?” or “Can you provide some examples?”

Not only does having clear expectations facilitate communication, but it also guarantees that everyone is on the same page regarding how they feel about any given issue or event. For instance, if you tell another individual which tasks must be completed by then, there will be a clear understanding when those dates come up again!

Conclusion

It is important to remember that communication is a two-way process. You cannot just lecture your employees; you must listen to what they say, observe their actions, and ask them questions. Doing this well helps employees feel acknowledged and allows them to provide feedback on what they think needs to be addressed at their workplace.

IS BUYING A FRANCHISE RIGHT FOR YOU?

Posted on March 29, 2023July 8, 2023 by Franchise Strategist

Ideal candidates for franchising are those who are excited about operating their own business, have no experience in the field, and are willing to accept the duties and obligations of being their boss. Purchasing a franchise could be an effective means of launching a new business. Consider franchising if you have yet to gain experience in the industry and are passionate about running your own business, and are willing to accept the responsibility and accountability that come with being in charge.

Is Buying A Franchise Right For You?
By: Gary Occhiogrosso – Founder & Managing Partner – Franchise Growth Solutions

Introduction
While franchising is an excellent way to enter the business world, it is not the best option for everyone. Consider the answers to the following nine questions before deciding whether or not your business might benefit from becoming a franchisee.

Do You Intend To Pursue Franchising In The Future?
If you want to start your own business, franchising may be an excellent option. However, franchising is also suitable for you if you want to be your own boss and run the show, but lack the competence or skills
required to do it independently. But franchising is not for everyone; if these reasons make sense to you, especially if they inspire and excite you, you should consider franchising as the right decision.

Do You Have A Proper Financial Plan And Ability?
As you begin the process of purchasing a franchise, you must have a sound financial strategy in place. You will need sufficient funds to cover the franchise fees and any other expenses that may emerge during the first phases of establishing your firm. Even though a particular franchise may be a solid investment, it may still need time and patience before it starts to pay off; you will also need to ensure that your cash flow can sustain your business moving forward.

Do You Have Previous Experience Leading Others?
The terms "management" and "leadership" are not synonymous. Leadership inspires people to come together and move forward with a single goal, while management is about efficiently doing tasks. Leaders take control of a situation, define a crystal-clear vision for it, and motivate others to strive toward achieving that vision with inexhaustible fervor and enthusiasm. Because most successful franchises require strong leadership skills from the owner or manager at all levels of the organization, beginning with sales representatives and extending to upper management, franchising may not be the best business model for you if you do not feel comfortable in a leadership role.

Do You Have Sufficient Time To Manage Both The Workforce And The Business?
If you already have a full schedule, franchising may not be your ideal choice. Running a franchise requires a substantial expenditure of time and effort. You must be able to devote a large percentage of your focus and energy to the organization. Initially, there may be little room for vacations or even weekends off, and you may be obliged to work multiple days a week due to the long hours. There may be little room for either! Things might be challenging for both parties if you are already committed to another job or have family duties. In addition, managing employees might be challenging since each person has unique personality features. Also, suppose a corporate employee is terminated unexpectedly or quits due to a conflict with upper management or ownership within the parent company. In that case, this can cause problems within the franchise system due to a lack of consistency in the practices and policies established by the franchisor.

Is The Industry Category Stable?
You may ask yourself, "How stable is the franchisor and industry; The answer to this inquiry will help determine if acquiring a franchise would benefit you. If the franchise company you desire to join has a high failure rate and does not seem to be growing in the near future, it may not be worth your time and effort to become a franchisee of that company. For example, if you've always wanted to open an ice cream shop, but there are already twenty comparable businesses in the neighborhood that are thriving, what gives you cause to assume that yours will be more successful? Also, consider whether other franchisors are entering or leaving the market. That might negatively influence business; the present time may not be the best choice! If, on the other hand, the industry you have chosen appears stable and has ample room for growth and expansion over time (especially when macroeconomic trends are considered), that brand may be a good option for you, provided that other factors, such as the cost structure and overhead expenses, aren't too high when compared to revenue projections from previous years' earnings statements.

Are You The Only Franchisee In The Market?
Although franchising is an excellent business technique, it can also be helpful if other franchised units of the franchisor are already operating in the area. No one else may be familiar with the brand if you are the only franchisee in your area. If other franchisees are in the region, you will find it simpler to build your business. They can help with some legal difficulties and the Last but not least, these multiple locations assist with advertising strategies and marketing techniques, which are the two most influential factors in determining whether clients would buy from your firm.

Are You & The Business Capable Of Paying The Fees And Royalties?
There are costs involved with franchise ownership, ranging from $10,000. to $1,000,000. You must additionally pay a monthly royalty fee that is computed based on your sales and other company information. The royalty is the fee the franchisor collects; it is usually a percentage of each week's total sales. Royalties are calculated as a percentage of your business's total revenue.

How Much Support And Training Will You Receive?
You should anticipate a certain level of assistance from the franchisor throughout training and after that, but whether or not they give it primarily relies on the cost of their services and the nature of your connection with them after acquiring their brand name.

* Training: If you are new to operating a business or need help getting started, you should examine if the franchise you are considering offers any training options.

* Advertising Costs: The costs associated with advertising can vary widely based on the advertising medium used (for instance, TV ads may cost more than flyers or social media ads), but in general, these expenses will likely be higher than those of non-franchised businesses.

How much input do you need and want in determining prices?
It would help if you understood how much influence you will have on the pricing. While some franchisors allow franchisees to set their prices, others require franchisees to adhere to the same pricing structure as the company's flagship location.

It would be best to consider whether the franchisor will allow you to alter your product or service, add new items, and make any other required adjustments. Profit is directly proportionate to the degree of operational and marketing control a franchisor offers franchisees. Ideal candidates for franchising are those who are excited about operating their own business, have no experience in the field, and are willing to accept the duties and obligations of being their boss. Purchasing a franchise could be an effective means of launching a new business. Consider franchising if you have yet to gain experience in the industry and are passionate about running your own business, and are willing to accept the responsibility and accountability that come with being in charge. Franchising is a tried-and-true business model that allows business owners to profit from the knowledge and experience of the franchisor while also gaining from their successes. The required investment requires substantial time, money, and effort, but if executed well, it can be rewarding.

Conclusion
Some individuals may find franchising an excellent entry point into the corporate sector. Yet, not all individuals would profit from doing so. Before making a final choice, evaluate if acquiring a franchise matches your long-term goals and lifestyle.

BEST TIME TO OPEN A PIZZA FRANCHISE: 7 THINGS PROSPECTIVE FRANCHISEES LOOK FOR

Posted on March 28, 2023July 3, 2023 by Franchise Strategist

Franchise ownership gives you the financial freedom you’re looking for – but ONLY if you choose the right franchise. When you’re running your own Smokin’ Oak Pizza & Taproom location, you call the shots. Put the right team in place and you can have a flexible schedule that lets you work at your own pace

Best Time To Open a Pizza Franchise: 7 Things Prospective Franchisees Look For
Article supplied by Smokin’Oak Wood-Fired Pizza & Taproom

Your restaurant is the talk of the town. Business is steady and growing. The word-of-mouth brings in locals, business travelers, and vacationers. The goal you had of working for yourself has come true.

That’s the dream. And you’re ready to make it happen. But you’re wondering if now is the right time to open a franchise. It’s true that many business owners are hesitant during uncertain economic times. But research shows intrepid entrepreneurs can not only survive uncertain economic times but thrive.

But don’t just take our word for it… Hear from two of our successful franchises who opened during the 2020 pandemic and are continuing to serve authentic, artisan wood-fired pizza to their supportive communities today – with plans to expand!

With that in mind, no one knows exactly what the economy is going to do and how that will affect business. Evaluating the opportunity alongside the potential risk is imperative. That’s why we’re sharing seven things you should look for in a franchise before investing your savings.

Financial Security
Fast-casual restaurants are highly popular today. The ones that are franchises – a step up in quality and ambiance from the typical fast-food chain — have been opening new locations faster than any other dining category.

Their popularity could be due to profit margins, which are the highest among food franchises. Fast-casual restaurants enjoy a 6% profit margin, which is the same as full-service restaurants and nearly three times better than the typical fast-food eatery.

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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WILL HELP FRANCHISORS SPEED UP FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT

Posted on March 22, 2023July 8, 2023 by Franchise Strategist

In a report by Data IKU, Korn Ferry stated that 55 percent of staff believed AI had already changed the way their organization recruits. IBM receives about 8,000 resumes a day and is the most searched employer on Glassdoor, an employment site that includes employee ratings for their company. IBM uses an AI algorithm that can predict with 95% accuracy whether a worker is planning to leave his/her job.

For those of you who have followed Ed Teixeira’s articles on FranchiseMoneyMaker.com it is with deep sadness that we report he passed away last week. We will miss Ed’s insights, willingness to help and the kindness he brought not only to our publication but the franchise community and the everyone he touched.

Artificial Intelligence Will Help Franchisors Speed up Franchise Development
By Ed Teixeira

Franchise Consultant, Blogger and Freelance Writer. Co- Author of New Textbook Franchising Strategies The Entrepreneurs Guide to Success. Franchise Executive with 40 years of Franchise Industry Experience.

During the past several years, you have probably read or heard about the increased use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications. AI has already had a significant impact on Human Resource departments, especially recruiting job applicants. In a report by Data IKU, Korn Ferry stated that 55 percent of staff believed AI had already changed the way their organization recruits. IBM receives about 8,000 resumes a day and is the most searched employer on Glassdoor, an employment site that includes employee ratings for their company. IBM uses an AI algorithm that can predict with 95% accuracy whether a worker is planning to leave his/her job.

Related to AI is natural language processing (NLP) which enables computers to read text, hear and interpret speech and determine which parts are important, like Alexa. A report from Tractica predicts that NLP software solutions capitalizing on AI will grow from $136 million in 2016 to $5.4 billion by 2025.

AI and Franchise System Development
If AI resume software automates resume screening, then AI applications should offer franchisors a major opportunity to improve their franchise system development. Using AI to automate the screening of franchise prospect information could help spot qualified candidates much faster. Also, using phone call speech-to-text and NLP can provide more opportunities to gain information from candidate conversations. Service Score’s Qualifier Call Optimization (QCO) platform uses recorded prospect calls with an analysis engine powered by the latest AI tools to deliver opportunities for converting more calls to applications. A number of franchisors currently use the Service Score application.

Franchise Departments Should List Its Telephone Number
A number of franchisors fail to list their telephone number on their franchise page and require prospects to submit a form. This has become somewhat of the norm rather than offering two ways to contact the franchise department. Hiya’s annual State of the Call report found that more than 12,000 consumers and 2,000 businesses ranked the phone call No. 1 for remote interactions, beating out text, email, video calls, and chatbots.

During my career I built three franchise systems in different business categories. In each case our phone number for the franchise department was available. I considered every franchise lead valuable and wanted our staff to be able to engage with potential franchise prospects as soon as possible. It was my experience, that individuals who called the franchise department before submitting a contact form, were eager to learn about our franchise opportunity and had important questions. In many cases it resulted in the person submitting a franchise application.

Top franchisors like Service Master Restore, BrightStar Franchising and Neighborly follow this process. Here is BrightStar’s Message: “Our friendly and experienced team is happy to help you get started. Call us at 872-xxx-xxxx or request a call from our team by filling out the form below.”

Franchisor’s Should Prepare for AI
Its time franchisors prepare for the increased use of AI applications in various franchise operations. This should include franchise development. Here are steps franchisors can take to begin the process:

* Compile data to construct a franchisee profile of top performing franchisees or the ideal franchise candidate.
* Incorporate franchisee profile data into contact form and franchisee application.
* Include franchise department contact telephone number.
* Franchisors should speak with several AI software companies to learn about the process and cost of using AI applications for franchise development. Mike Bidwell, president and CEO of Neighborly stated: “We believe employing AI will be key to gaining or even maintaining a competitive advantage in an increasingly informed and sophisticated marketplace.

About the Author:
Ed Teixeira
Franchise Consultant, Blogger and Freelance Writer. Co- Author of New
Textbook Franchising Strategies The Entrepreneurs Guide to Success.
Franchise Executive with 40 years of Franchise Industry Experience.

What To Consider When Purchasing A Franchise

Posted on January 22, 2023July 8, 2023 by Franchise Strategist

Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash

Summary: To select the ideal franchise company to join, you should first find a company with a proven track record of success. A good franchisor will have been in business for at least two or three years and be able to demonstrate the growth potential of its products and services. The best way to do this is by looking at how many franchises they currently have in operation and are they profitable. A robust and growing network often indicates a successful brand.

10 Key Points To Consider When Purchasing A Franchise
Originally published in Forbes.
By Gary Occhiogrosso, Managing Partner Franchise Growth Solutions

If your goal is to purchase a franchise, choosing the right franchise brand to invest in is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a business owner. It’s not just about finding a company with a proven track record but also finding one that fits your personality and lifestyle. Your first step, is knowing what to look for when you’re evaluating potential franchises. Here are some key areas to consider:

Franchise Fees
Franchise fees are one-time payments made when purchasing a franchise. These fees can range from $10,000 to $100,000 and are used to pay for the rights to use the name, the procedures and any systems developed by the franchisor. It is also used to cover costs for training and opening support by the franchisor to assist the franchisee with the opening of their franchise. Franchisors usually charge their franchisees up-front fee when the franchise is granted. In addition, post Covid initial “turnkey” investments may be higher than in the past due to supply chain issues, inflation, and increased cost of equipment and leasehold improvements between brands.

Royalty Fees
Royalty fees are the amount of ongoing money (usually a percentage of gross sales) you pay to the franchisor for using their brand name and ongoing support such as marketing and developing new products or services for the franchisee. As a franchisee, you are required to pay royalties based on a portion of your sales. This percentage may be fixed or fluctuate on a sliding scale based on sales.

Term Length
Franchise term length can be a good indicator of how much the Franchisor invests in their franchisees.
On average, depending on the type of franchise, home based vs a retail location, franchise brands have terms that last ten years or less. This means there’s plenty of time for the franchisee and franchisor to work together and develop a solid relationship. Still, it also means that the franchisee may not be allowed to retain the business if something doesn’t work out. If a franchisee is underperforming, the franchisor may not renew the franchise agreement once it expires, or may seek to terminate the franchise prior to the full term. In such a case, the franchisee must exit the business. In many instances, there will be a contractual obligation that the franchisee cannot open a similar business for a period of time within a certain distance from their original location. This is called a non-compete clause.

Consider Your Lifestyle.
* Consider the lifestyle you will have while running the business.
* Look at the hours of operation. You don’t want to buy an 80 work week.
* Review flexibility of franchisor with respect to new products, relocation and other variables.
* See if the location makes sense for you. You will need to manage the location or develop a team to manage the day-to-day operation for you.
* Check out the type of work needed to run the franchisee. Make sure it fits your skill set and interests, including whether it’s something you’d enjoy doing as a full-time job.
Seeking the advice of a professional franchise consultant can be an extremely useful method when evaluating if a franchise is the right business model for you. Scott Milas, a Certified Franchise Executive (CFC) and Certified Franchise Consultant (CFC) with The International Franchise Professionals Group recommends you consider these questions: “What is your “Know” and “Why?” Understanding “why” you are interested in owning your own business, and “knowing” who you are, are critical steps in choosing the right opportunity. A self evaluation and clear picture of your skill sets and eventual end game- exit strategy, will help ensure that you invest in the right opportunity. Better to “know” now then after you made the wrong decision. “Why” now?
An experienced franchise consultant can assist you in answering those questions and choosing a brand that’s a good lifestyle fit as well as one that offers opportunities to meet your business goals

Look For An Experienced Franchisor
To select the ideal franchise company to join, you should first find a company with a proven track record of success. A good franchisor will have been in business for at least two or three years and be able to demonstrate the growth potential of its products and services. The best way to do this is by looking at how many franchises they currently have in operation and are they profitable. A robust and growing network often indicates a successful brand. In addition, it demonstrates that customers value its products or services enough to pay for them again through multiple businesses.
The second thing you should look for when choosing a franchise is reputation—how well does your chosen brand stand up against its competitors? While there may be other similar businesses out there with similar business models, does you selected band have points of difference to separate itself from the competition. It’s essential that you choose one that utilizes high-quality materials, produces consistent results, and provides excellent customer service while maintaining competitive prices at all times.”

Know Your Competition
One of the steps to building a successful franchise business is to know your competition. What brands already exist in the market, and how do they compare? What is their customer base, and what can you learn from them? How do your offerings differ from theirs, and how do these differences help or hinder you as a company?
Tom Scarda a former franchisee and now a franchise coach and consultant offering advice to franchise buyers regarding evaluating the competition and what it may mean to their success as a franchisee “It’s smart to think about a product or service that is needed in your area and consider bringing that sort of business to the town. However, just because there are no batting cages in your town and you think it would do great because there are kids everywhere, you may be right. However, will it make money? Is there some reason why there is no batting cages in the area? When starting a business, you must, must do a comprehensive business plan before anything else. Learn about competition in the area. Understand the local county laws and regulations around the business you’re considering. Be real about the cost to start and run the operation. These are just a few items to consider in a business plan.”

Once you’ve got a handle on who’s out there, it will be easier for you to see where there are gaps in the market—and then fill those gaps with your unique brand identity.

Carefully Review The Franchise Disclosure Document.
Read the current franchise disclosure document (check the issuance date) and have it reviewed by a competent franchise attorney. Harold Kestenbaum, a noted franchise attorney with Spadea Law advises: “When considering the purchase of a franchise, I highly recommend retaining the services of an experienced franchisee attorney. Never contemplate purchasing a franchise without seeking the advice of an attorney who has reviewed FDD;s before. I also recommend that you do your due diligence. By that I mean that you should review Item 20 of the FDD and call all of the existing franchisees who are in your general area.”

There are additional factors to consider when reviewing the franchisor’s FDD. According to Richard Bayer, a Partner in the law firm Einbinder & Dunn LLP: “Purchasing a franchise for many first-time business owners will often be one of the top three expensive transactions the franchisee will ever go through in his/her lifetime. Given the severity of the investment, a franchisee must commit to doing due diligence. It starts with speaking with existing franchisees as well as those who left the system. Their contact information can be found in the FDD. The goals from these calls include gaining a better understanding of the economics of the franchise – is it profitable, when is break even reached, do costs (labor or otherwise) or revenues fluctuate significantly making it difficult to predict performance. Equally important is getting a sense of the franchisor’s temperament – is the franchisor supportive, does the franchisor go above and beyond legal obligations (imposed in the franchise agreement) to deliver for its franchisees, is the franchisor forward thinking and/or technology driven. The FDD is a great source of information about a system, but it is has gaps that can be filled in quite nicely by franchisees in the system and by those who left. Purchasing a franchise without speaking to as many franchisees as possible is a lost opportunity.”
 
Investigate The Franchisor’s Tenure And Track Record of Success
In addition to analyzing the franchisors’ financials, it’s also vital to examine their overall track record. While a strong balance sheet is an essential indicator of a business’s health and stability, it doesn’t tell you much about how they’ve fared over time. So, for example, if you’re looking at two franchises with similar books and financials, but one of them has been around for four years while the other has been operating since say, 1899, it would make sense to choose the latter in this case—even if everything else on paper looks the same.
This information can be gleaned from third-party sources such as Dun & Bradstreet or franchise trade magazines or by visiting the website of the International Franchise Association. Always go directly through your Franchisor before getting this data yourself so that they can confirm that everything is correct and up-to-date. In addition, it is vital that you speak with or meet as many existing franchisees as possible before you make your final decision.

What Are The Brand’s Training Programs And Support?
When you buy a franchise, you’re not just buying the rights to use its brand name. You also get access to training programs, mentoring, and support from the Franchisor. These must be proven and effective; otherwise, it can be challenging for your business to grow or stay profitable.
You want to ensure that your franchisor is committed to your success as a franchisee. That means offering in-person training (the better option) and or using phone or video calls if necessary. It also means regular advice on running your business and what strategies might help you reach more customers or increase revenue.

Review The Franchisor’s Marketing Plans.
A good franchisor will have a written marketing plan in place. The marketing plan should include a social media strategy and details about how the franchisor plans to use the funds provided through your advertising fees. If you ask for this document, they should be willing to share it with you.

Choosing The Right Franchise Brand Can Significantly Impact Your Success.
We’ve talked about screening potential franchise brands above. Still, there are some other factors that you should also consider when choosing where to invest your time and resources.
Tom Scarda goes on to say “We always hear the phrase, “If you love what you do you never work a day in your life.” That is true if you’re working a job. But a franchise is not a job. It’s a business that allows you to build a lifestyle. In the end, the service or product the business provides doesn’t matter. Of course, it must make sense for the community where you will operate and the concept must be something that you understand. However, you can be a vegetarian and own a burger joint. As the owner you are acting as the CEO and CFO, you’re not flippin’ burgers…well you shouldn’t be. If you are doing the tasks that the business requires then you bought yourself a job and your business will plateau and not be scalable. Scarda adds “Don’t buy a business because it has to do with your hobby. If you do, you will no longer have a hobby and you will probably resent the hobby if you’re trying to pay your mortgage with it. Instead, invest in a business that will give you the time and money to enjoy your hobby until your heart’s content.

Conclusion
It is important to consider all these factors when looking for a franchise brand. Some of them, like the fees and term length, are more straightforward than others. But, if you want to be successful in your franchise opportunity, it’s worth taking the time to research what makes each Franchisor unique thoroughly. A good franchisor will have invested in training programs and support systems that will help you understand how their business works.