PRESS RELEASE – ASIAN CHICKEN AND RICE CONCEPT, ROOSTER & RICE, SIGNS FIRST FRANCHISE

Posted on June 21, 2022July 1, 2022 by Franchise Strategist

Rooster & Rice plans to expand its restaurant business model from 12 locations in 2022 to 16 to 20 locations by 2023. Franchisees benefit from ongoing coaching and company support on everything from site selection, protected territories, third party financing, training, and marketing. Rooster & Rice franchises are currently available in California, Texas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and soon to be offered in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2021
CONTACT: Gary Occhiogrosso
917.991.2465
[email protected]

CHEF-DRIVEN, ASIAN CHICKEN AND RICE CONCEPT,
ROOSTER & RICE, SIGNS FIRST FRANCHISE

San Francisco, California, June 21, 2022 – San Francisco-based, fast-casual restaurant concept, Rooster & Rice, signed its first franchisee, Gore Song.
Song’s plan is to develop at least three Rooster & Rice units in Orange County California.

Built around a simple Thai food favorite, Khao Mun Ghai, Rooster & Rice (with 11 owned and operated locations throughout California and 1 location in Houston, Texas) and its chicken and rice-based menu is redefining the Asian QSR market in the US. Created by chef Tommy Charoen and experienced restaurateur, Bryan Lew, and with backing from the Aroi Hospitality Group (AHG), which includes two founders of Caviar, Rooster & Rice offers a simple, healthy, and easy to execute menu bringing simple and comforting Asian tastes to American consumers.

Gore Song, Rooster & Rice’s first franchisee, was a fan first. “When I lived in San Francisco,” Song reports, “ I would eat at Rooster & Rice all the time. “Rooster & Rice is a satisfying meal anytime of the day, from breakfast, lunch and dinner to a late night snack. I love the menu and the business model and look forward to offering more opportunity for Californians to sample authentic Thai chicken and rice dishes.” In fact, Song adds, ‘the opportunity and scalability of the Rooster & Rice concept had so much potential that we signed on with a multi-unit franchise.”

“Most restaurant brands grow because they have an explosively popular offering or an air-tight operational model that makes them easy and inexpensive to scale. Rooster & Rice is one of very few brands that has both.” Says Bryan Lew, co-founder and CEO. “That winning combination has allowed us to grow rapidly throughout the Bay Area, and we’re finding increasing demand from neighboring markets. Franchising will allow us to meet this growing demand like never before while introducing our fresh, high-quality dishes to new customers across the country.”

Rooster & Rice recently expanded its operation from California to Texas. Their Houston location opened in June 2022. According to Rooster & Rice CFO, Min Park, “Rooster & Rice picked the Houston market for its evolving food scene and community energy.”

7-YEAR-OLD ROOSTER & RICE ASSEMBLES FRANCHISE TEAM

In addition to an already existing team of entrepreneurs with a long track record of success, the company engaged the services of well-known franchise industry experts, Gary Occhiogrosso and Fred Kirvan. They are charged with bringing Rooster & Rice’s simple, low cost and easy-to-model franchise concept to the California and Texas (Houston) markets and eventually franchising nationwide.

“The time is right to bring Rooster & Rice’s category-defining concept to more people.” Says Occhiogrosso. “Rooster & Rice’s mom-inspired, simple but delicious menu proved its worth during the pandemic. Their low overhead comfort-food concept continued to be successful as others fell by the wayside.” He adds. “Rooster & Rice has a proven business model and turnkey system that will allow franchisees to bring a one-of-a-kind concept to their neighborhoods at a time when budgets are top of mind and guests demand good-for-you and flavorful food at a great price.”

FRANCHISES AVAILABLE IN MULTIPLE STATES

For more information on the Rooster & Rice restaurant concept, please visit ownaroosterandrice.com. For information on owning your own Rooster & Rice franchise, please contact Gary Occhiogrosso at 917.991.2465 or via email at [email protected].
###

ABOUT ROOSTER & RICE Rooster & Rice is a fast-casual concept originated from the San Francisco Bay Area and specializing in Khao Mun Gai or Organic Thai-Style Chicken Rice. Veteran restaurateur Bryan Lew & Chef Thomas Charoen founded Rooster & Rice. Regularly requested by Tommy Charoen’s fellow chefs after a long day’s work in the luxury kitchens of Las Vegas, Khao Mun Gai began life as a simple comfort dish from Thailand. Though today the dish is available in many different mouthwatering variations, Chef Charoen’s version is a clear standout––the result of years of fine-tuning, inspired by a recipe from his very own mom. Khao Mun Gai has since become the signature offering at Rooster & Rice, a charming, no-frills restaurant concept developed by Chef Charoen and co-founder Bryan Lew. The dish represents the best of Asian street food culture, proving good meals can indeed come in humble packages. Once you try our take on this delectable combination of fragrant rice, poached chicken, and homemade soybean sauce you won’t ever be the same. In 2018, Rooster & Rice teamed up with two former founders of the food delivery app Caviar (which sold to Square in 2016 and now part of Doordash) to expand from the Bay Area into developing a model fit for franchising efforts.

Modern Tech Can Give Restaurants An Edge

Posted on May 27, 2022May 27, 2022 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.

Does Your Franchise Program Contain the Elements of a Top Franchise?

Posted on May 25, 2022May 25, 2022 by Franchise Strategist

Here are 10 elements that you will find in the top performing franchise programs. If you are a franchisor and want to enhance your franchise performance, make sure these are a part of your franchise operation.

Does Your Franchise Program Contain the Elements of a Top- Franchise?

By Ed TeixeiraFranchise Expert, Author, Franchise Executive and Former Franchisee with 40 years of Franchise Industry Experience.

Ever wonder what sets the top franchise brands apart from the rest? There is a big difference between the indicators of a good franchise program and how the franchisor got to that stage. Whether a franchise system has 10, 100 or 1,000 units there are certain practices that separate the top franchise brands from the rest.
Here are 10 elements that you will find in the top performing franchise programs. If you are a franchisor and want to enhance your franchise performance, make sure these are a part of your franchise operation.

1. Stick to your franchisee profile
Have a franchisee profile and when franchise candidates do not fit the profile, say no! If using brokers, then remain in control of the franchise sales process.

2. Be candid with prospective franchisees
Provide prospective franchisees the tools they need to be a successful franchisee.

3. Have an effective training program, evaluate it, and continue training
Top performing franchisors have an effective training program that continues as an on-going activity.

4. If the franchise program needs adjusting, then do it
If certain marketing programs, products or services are not delivering the results then make changes.

5. Franchisee profitability must be a priority
The structure of the franchise program both operationally and financially must provide franchisees an opportunity for success that does not require extraordinary performance. If the franchisees follow the program and do not earn an ROI commensurate with their original investment, then the franchise is flawed. There must be balance between the earnings of the franchisor and its franchisees.

6. Franchisor leadership must be fully engaged in the franchise operation
Franchisor executive leadership must be totally involved in the franchise so that there is total awareness of successes and failures. There is no room for “surprises” when it comes to franchise operations. Whatever the forum, franchisee feedback must flow to franchisor leadership.

7. Solicit Franchisee input for important operational and marketing decisions
Whether through a Franchise Advisory Council, advertising committee or other representative body use them as a sounding board before making major operational decisions.

8. New products and services should be evaluated and measured by select franchisees before introducing
Obtain objective results from these franchisees, which will enable you to obtain a franchisee system buy-in when implemented.

9. Measure franchisee results on a regular basis
Use key performance indicators (K.P.I.s) to measure franchisee performance on a scheduled basis, whether monthly or quarterly. This enables a franchisor to know how its franchisees are performing.

10. Protect the integrity and standards of the franchise program
It is critical that the franchisor uphold the standards of the franchise. The franchisees that follow the program deserve it and the customers that use the product or services provided by the franchisees are entitled to consistency. Franchisors that do not protect their brand are not respected by their franchisees.
When franchisors have these elements in their franchise program, they can feel confident their franchise brand will be a top performer.

About the Author:
Ed Teixeira Franchise Expert, Author, Franchise Executive and Former Franchisee with 40 years of Franchise Industry Experience.Ed 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].

5 TOP ITEMS YOUR SMALL BUSINESS NEEDS ON ITS CYBERSECURITY TO-DO LIST

Posted on May 14, 2022May 27, 2022 by Franchise Strategist

No matter the size of your business, you can take practical steps to help defend against cyberattacks, which will save your company time, effort and money in the long term.

5 top items your small business needs on its cybersecurity to-do list

(BPT) – If you run a small to medium-sized business, you may think your risk of cyberattacks is slim to none. But just because your business is smaller and you have your data stored on-premises does not exempt you from risk. According to the Ninth Annual Cost of Cybercrime Study by Accenture, 43% of cyberattacks are now aimed at small businesses — but only 14% of those businesses are prepared to defend themselves. Since the pandemic, cybercrime has increased by 600%, according to Embroker.com. And the cost of cyberattacks — from business disruption and lost data to system downtime, damage to your company’s reputation and even legal liability — is higher than ever. Cyber defense needs to be a major component of your business strategy.

What can your business do to help prevent these attacks in the first place?

Types of cyberattacks

It helps to understand where cybercriminals are most likely to strike, which is at most companies’ biggest point of vulnerability — the human factor. The Ponemon Institute’s State of Cybersecurity Report has identified the most common types of cyberattacks on small businesses:

Social Engineering/Phishing (57%): This can take the form of an email that appears to be from a trusted source, like a co-worker or supervisor, asking for help and requesting you click a link or download something.
Compromised/Stolen Devices (33%): Devices without sufficient security safeguards in place can be vulnerable.
Credential Theft (30%): Hackers obtain usernames and passwords to access accounts. Having strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication to access accounts can help prevent unauthorized access.

Strategies to safeguard your business

No matter the size of your business, you can take practical steps to help defend against cyberattacks, which will save your company time, effort and money in the long term.

Here are 5 tactics that should be on your cyber defense checklist:

1. Educate your employees about security best practices

Make sure everyone in your business understands common cyberthreats, and is well trained on how to identify typical phishing and social engineering scams. In addition, help remote employees secure their home networks by offering training on setting up secure Wi-Fi.

2. Keep business and personal devices separate

Especially as many employees continue working remotely all or part of the time, reduce security risks by emphasizing the importance of everyone in your organization using only company devices for work purposes.

3. Beef up security measures for employee accounts and network access

Require only strong, unique passwords for employee access, as well as implementing multi-factor authentication practices for an extra layer of protection.

4. Get a unified software platform for security and patch management

Make sure your entire system is more secure by using a single, effective software platform that can manage identity, access and devices in the cloud — as well as managing security upgrades and patching. For example, JumpCloud offers IT admins at any business the ability to control and manage a wide variety of configurations with Zero Trust security to secure your organization.

JumpCloud provides an easy, frictionless solution for small to medium-sized business requirements to hedge against increasing cyberthreats, with several security features to help your business improve its security posture, including:

Multi-Factor Authentication
Single Sign-On
Device Management
Zero-Trust
Patch Management

Even better, JumpCloud lets customers use all premium features for free, for up to 10 users and 10 devices.

“Any business owner today needs to be aware of and take active measures to protect against cyberattacks,” said Benjamin Garrison, technical evangelist at JumpCloud. “For any size business, JumpCloud provides an effective solution, all in one place.”

5. Monitor for security breaches

In case of a cyberattack, your business will recover and overcome the loss much more quickly the earlier you can detect the problem. Set up a system for frequent monitoring of your network for any potential breaches, and keep working to defend against them with regular updates and trainings for all staff.

Don’t wait until a security breach happens to get serious about cyber defense. Being proactive about the security of your business will be well worth it to defend everything you’ve created.

JumpCloud gives IT admins a single cloud directory platform to secure all their users in any device environment, wherever work happens. Visit JumpCloud.com to learn more.

Franchisors Shouldn’t Confuse Franchisee Validation with Endorsement

Posted on May 4, 2022May 4, 2022 by Franchise Strategist

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

Successful franchisee validation is so important, it’s common for most franchisor development staff to be aware who their best franchise validators are. Franchisor staff might even recommend which franchisees to contact, because some franchisees don’t want to be bothered while others are flattered to offer their feedback.

By Ed Teixeira

It’s an established fact that to develop a franchise system the franchisor needs to have franchisees who will validate the value of the franchise, including franchisor services, support and quality of the franchise program.

Most of the literature that offers advice to prospective franchisees states that the most valuable source of information on a franchise system is from existing franchisees. In fact, it’s often said that franchisees help sell new franchises as much as franchise development staff and brokers.

It’s important to recognize the difference between franchisee validation and using franchisees to endorse the franchise brand. When a franchisor utilizes existing franchisees in ads or social media to endorse and promote the franchise brand there can be risks. For example, I recall an incident when one of the franchisees in our franchise system helped to obtain a prized national account contract. For his efforts, he was granted a financial benefit from the specific National Account revenues. However, as a further show of appreciation, the franchisor President had the franchisee thanked in a marketing piece and on the franchise web site. A few months later, a dispute led the same franchisee to file a lawsuit against us. It’s one lesson I’ll never forget.

Although franchisors may utilize their franchisees to market its products or services to customers, its different from having their franchisees actively promote and endorse its franchise opportunity.

When it comes to franchisee validations and endorsements, a franchisor should:

Expect franchise candidates to contact a franchisee in an ad for validation. This means that franchisee must remain satisfied with the franchise and franchisor support and services.
When using a franchisee for an endorsement avoid statements that may represent an earnings claim. For example, ‘I’ve made lots of income from this franchise.”
Be wary of how franchisee advertising funds are being used. Using ad funds that single out certain franchisees could cause other franchisees to be upset by publicizing certain franchisees.
In franchise locations visited by customers who could become prospective franchisees the franchisor should promote the franchise opportunity by having tri-fold brochures describing the franchise opportunity and signage to announce the business is franchised.
When recruiting franchise candidates be sure to recognize the difference between positive franchise program validation and using existing franchisees to endorse and promote the franchise opportunity. In the case of franchisee endorsements, there is always the possibility that the franchisee if disgruntled, could be embarrassing to the franchise program.

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 One Responsibility of Franchising Too Many Franchisors Overlook

Posted on March 21, 2022March 22, 2022 by Franchise Strategist

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.

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].

Guests Are Back: How The Restaurant Industry Has Changed Forever – And For Good

Posted on January 1, 2022January 5, 2022 by Franchise Strategist

The guests are back: 77% of U.S. consumers in Lightspeed’s poll are dining out at least once a month or more, with 40% dining out more than two to four times a week, and 30% saying they are dining out more than they were before COVID, taking advantage of what they’ve missed.

Guests are back: How the restaurant industry has changed forever – and for good

(BPT) – In this new era of hospitality, technology is driving customer retention, automation and efficient food costing, which have all become key to profitability. The pandemic forced restaurants to adapt to not only a new, leaner business model but new consumer behavior as well. With customers opting for alternatives to dine-in, restaurants adapted to build solutions to offer takeout, delivery and curbside pickup options. Meanwhile, restaurants are struggling with staffing challenges, government mandates and dynamic reopening in different regions.

In a recent Lightspeed and OnePoll survey of Global hospitality merchants, 90% feel that technology has helped their business survive the last two years, and 92% feel their business is more efficient today than it was one year ago. Peter Dougherty, GM, Lightspeed Hospitality, offers three ways tech is reshaping the hospitality industry:

1) Once seen as a job killer, automation will save an understaffed industry.

In a recent JobList survey of 13,000 hospitality employees, nearly half said they had left their job for good, and a third said they were done with the industry. This aligns with Lightspeed’s U.S. research which shows 55% of operators struggling to retain staff.

Amid this shortage, restaurant operators and customers are seeing the value in automation technology. This means saving time by automating functions like taking orders or processing inventory with a solution like Lightspeed Restaurant. Lightspeed found that 67% of hospitality merchants in the U.S. see more automation as the best way to combat employee turnover, 50% plan to utilize some form of automation technology within the next two to three years, and another 50% also see a future with more flexibility for hospitality employees.

2) Guests’ behavior drives technology, but also staff shortages.

QR codes, once seen as outdated tech, were one of the big winners of distanced dining. And with restaurants and bars more short-staffed than ever, guests are suddenly more comfortable ordering through a QR code while a smaller floor staff maintain a level of guest service. When it comes to U.S. consumers dining out, ordering through a QR code (21%) or contactless payments (31%) made them feel “safer.”

But this rabid return has had its consequences: 62% of hospitality professionals in the U.S. report that guests have been more demanding, and 40% said they were tipping worse. 48% of U.S. merchants say “more patience and empathy” from guests would help them retain staff.

3) Technology helps merchants diversify their business.

The pandemic forced a tremendous amount of change in the hospitality industry, with 90% of U.S. merchants surveyed noting they feel that technology has helped their business survive the last two years.

When asked what technology had the biggest positive impact on their business, nearly half of merchants (47%) noted online ordering; a habit once relegated to urban millennials that became a necessity during COVID-19. Lightspeed’s survey found that 37% of U.S. merchants have brought their online ordering technology in-house to avoid third-party fees, and 60% say guests are still ordering more takeout than before COVID.

Looking ahead to the future, 78% of the merchants surveyed see online ordering technology vastly improving in the next two to three years, which will likely be a time of consolidation and automation for the industry, as stand-alone players will struggle to compete with larger integrated solutions.

3 Trends Poised For Growth In 2022 And The Tech Startups Helping To Fuel Them

Posted on January 1, 2022January 5, 2022 by Franchise Strategist

3 trends poised for growth in 2022 and the tech startups helping to fuel them

(BPT) – The past year has brought a flurry of changes for many people. Maybe you’ve embraced online shopping and want to start to incorporate meal planning into that experience. Perhaps you’ve gotten into selling things from the comfort of your home or you’re now working remotely with people around the world.

Digital solutions meet modern needs so you can do these types of things successfully, whether you’re a consumer or an entrepreneur. Three of the top digital trends of 2022 showcase the growth of technology solutions by innovative startups focused on making life better.

Trend 1: Simplified online grocery shopping

The food marketplace is an evolving space with two trends poised for continued growth: online grocery shopping and meal planning. Grocery Shopii is the solution for shoppers who want to integrate meal planning into a customized online shopping experience.

Today, meal solutions are helping consumers tackle meal fatigue and save time. Not only are Shopii recipes curated by top bloggers, they’re hyper-personalized to each client’s preferences, offering suggestions that align with existing shopping habits. Plus, Grocery Shopii utilizes machine learning to expedite meal planning and online grocery shopping to 5 minutes or less.

Grocery Shopii is free for shoppers and helps grocers provide a tailored experience, which in turn builds customer loyalty. Learn more at GroceryShopii.com.

Trend 2: Interactive fashion resale marketplace

What people choose to wear defines who they are, and today more people than ever want to stand out in their own unique way. That’s why interest in vintage clothing, upcycled fashion, and handmade accessories is soaring, and Galaxy is connecting passionate sellers with engaged buyers.

Galaxy is the first platform of its kind to fuse live shopping and fashion resale, creating a truly social, entertainment-geared shopping experience with sustainable fashion at its core. With Galaxy, shoppers can have conversations while buying, allowing them to make more informed decisions and understand the stories behind the pieces they’re browsing.

Galaxy enables the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs to find and build their community, plus, unlike other platforms, takes no commission or fees. Visit Galaxy.Live for more information.

Trend 3: Symbiotic solutions to labor needs and economic empowerment

The labor shortage crisis, the Great Resignation, diversity challenges — job economy topics continue to capture headlines. Companies of all sizes are struggling to fill roles with quality candidates who meet their needs.

Meaningful Gigs is one solution that solves many issues that companies are facing today. This tech-packed platform connects skilled African designers with companies seeking high-quality digital design work. Their vision is to create 100,000 remote skilled jobs in Africa by 2028.

Meaningful Gigs provides companies with a way to tap into global diversity while also delivering critical design solutions for their businesses for creative, product and marketing teams. By supplying people in Africa with skilled jobs, the company focuses on continuous economic empowerment and socioeconomic advancement. Discover more at MeaningfulGigs.com.

2022 is sure to be a year of continued change as people increasingly rely on digital solutions. Explore these trends to see how they impact your life, and consider new technologies to meet your needs.

HOW TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN EMPLOYEES AS WE EXIT THE PANDEMIC

Posted on December 2, 2021December 3, 2021 by Franchise Strategist

Some of the causes of the great employment disruption of 2021 are beyond the influence of employers. However, there are a number of initiatives that can be implemented by employers to retain employees and attract those who are looking for a change in what they do. So, how do you retain and attract employees?

HOW TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN EMPLOYEES AS WE EXIT THE PANDEMIC
by Stan Silverman
Article originally published in the Philadelphia Business Journal on November 15, 2021.

Due to the effects of the pandemic, 2021 will be known as a year of immense employment disruption. This is especially acute in the restaurant, hospitality and other service industries, where employees now have higher-paying employment alternatives.
The cause of the Great Resignation is not limited to dissatisfaction with pay. Many employees who are nearing retirement have decided to leave the workforce earlier than they had planned. Other employees have reevaluated their lives and decided what they were doing was not for them.

Some employees are burned out dealing with hostile customers and working to meet pent-up demand. Others have left the workforce because they cannot afford childcare. There are those who point to governmental assistance as the reason people are not working, but that assistance ended in September.

Employees come before customers

In my columns for the Philadelphia Business Journal, I have emphasized the importance of delivering a great customer/client experience as a way to become the preferred provider in the marketplace. It’s your employees who deliver a great customer/client experience.

Quoting Sir Richard Branson, co-founder of Virgin Group, “Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.” Treat your employees well. They will help you become a preferred employer.
Nurture a culture in which your employees develop a sense of ownership in what they do. Listen to their ideas. Value their contributions. Never micromanage. Set expectations, empower them and cut them loose to do their thing.

Compensate employees so your company is an attractive employment alternative

For years, many have advocated raising the federal minimum wage to $15/hour, with little success. Today, many businesses need to pay $20/hour or more to attract employees. Why? Employees have alternative employment opportunities not only within the same industry, but also within other industries that are rapidly growing. For example, an employee working at a restaurant can quit and go to work for Amazon instead. Pay employees competitively with their alternatives to keep them and attract others.
Will increasing the compensation of employees require companies to raise prices? Yes. The economy will adjust as it did after the dramatic increase in oil prices during the 1970s.

Differentiate your company and its culture

Just as you differentiate your company so customers/clients want to buy from you instead of your competition, differentiate your company so employees want to work for you rather than their alternatives.
Treat all employees as important to your success. Show your appreciation for what they do. Where practical, depending on the job, institute a hybrid model, giving them flexibility to work remotely or at the office. There are companies that have been operating 100% virtually with great effectiveness for many years without adversely impacting employee collaboration. Saved commuting time is spent working on business issues, as well as taking care of personal matters, which reduces employee stress and increases morale.

Differentiate your company from others. Treat your employees as you would like to be treated. Make it part of your brand. Your reputation will attract the employees you need to run your business.

===============================
About the Author
Stan Silverman is founder and CEO of Silverman Leadership and author of “Be Different! The Key to Business and Career Success.” He is also a speaker, advisor and widely read nationally syndicated columnist on leadership, entrepreneurship and corporate governance. He can be reached at [email protected].

HOW BUSINESS AND CONSUMERS CAN STAY SAFE DURING THE ONLINE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON

Posted on December 1, 2021December 3, 2021 by Franchise Strategist

Doing holiday shopping or making financial transactions when a device is on a public network can be risking identity theft.How are companies safeguarding consumers from identity theft and other forms of fraud? With a thoughtful approach that combines forward thinking with cutting-edge technology.

How businesses and consumers can stay safe during the online holiday shopping season
COURTESY OF BRAND POINT

(BPT) – The 2021 holiday shopping season is bound to break records. The National Retail Federation predicts an increase in sales between 8.5-10.5% over last year, and a record 87% of shoppers plan to shop online, according to PYMNTS.com. That’s an increase of 13% in online holiday shopping compared to last year.

In fact, approximately 263 million people in the U.S. are currently online shoppers. This dramatic growth in online shopping, especially over the holidays, brings with it increasing concerns about keeping accounts safe and secure from fraud — both for consumers and for the companies where they do their shopping. More than four out of ten (42%) consumers expressed concerns about security when shopping online, according to recent reports.

According to Juniper Research, retailers could lose over $20 billion in 2021 due to online fraud, which includes identity theft, illegal access to online accounts, using forged or stolen credit cards, SIM card theft and more.

Customers and companies can play an important role in protecting themselves from fraud over the busy holiday shopping season.

How customers can help defend their accounts from fraud

From the customer point of view, here are three things that can help keep accounts safer while shopping online:

1. Be password smart. Using stronger passwords, such as phrases, and making sure each password is unique for each account will improve security. A password manager is a good way to beef up security, as it generates stronger, unique passwords and keeps track of them.

2. Shop with trusted vendors. Buying from familiar retailers is usually safer, as is going straight to the website, and avoiding clicking on links from ads on social media or random emails. This comes down to KYB (“Know Your Business”): Customers need to ensure that the website where they do their shopping is secure. Does the web address begin with “https”? Are user authentication protocols in place, and do they offer secure checkout?

3. Stick with secure networks. Doing holiday shopping or making financial transactions when a device is on a public network can be risking identity theft.

How are companies safeguarding consumers from identity theft and other forms of fraud? With a thoughtful approach that combines forward thinking with cutting-edge technology.

How companies are working behind the scenes to help protect consumers

Companies today take identity theft and fraud seriously, as it affects their bottom line — and jeopardizes their relationships with customers. Fortunately, technology is constantly advancing to help safeguard against fraud and stay one step ahead of the criminals. This is more crucial than ever when holiday shopping online is at an all-time high, and online fraud and identity theft are, too.

“Protecting companies and customers against predatory behavior is increasingly difficult, as online fraudsters continue evolving and adapting,” said John Troutman, director, Digital Identity Expert Team at TeleSign. “Just as fraud attempts become more complex, protection for any business must keep up with that complexity. We use multiple approaches, tailored to each client, to find the most effective, up-to-date solutions.”

Here are three ways companies use innovative technology to guard against theft and fraud:

1. Two-factor authentication

Companies and financial institutions improve security by adding another step to verify customer identities. With two-factor authentication, the business sends a single-use authentication code to a customer’s email, phone (voice) or text (SMS).

However, even two-factor authentication has one area of vulnerability: Identity thieves trying to access an account could enter their own phone number to obtain the authentication code, or in some cases, can even swap out the SIM card on a customer’s cell phone.

Fortunately, TeleSign, an authority on fraud protection and safe e-commerce practices, helps corporations guard against these and other threats with products and services to help them evaluate customer behavior and detect signs of fraud.

For example, behavioral attribute insights determined using TeleSign’s Score product can identify safe and unsafe activities. This technology helps companies “see” into network actions to determine the answers to these questions:

Is the text behavior abnormal?
Is abnormal activity happening at off hours?
Are numbers calling or texting a customer from unusual area codes?
Is a customer’s number being used for malicious purposes?

These insights help detect unusual use of a cell phone to let companies know that there’s a problem. This high-level analysis helps keep customers safer, and works to avoid account takeovers and fraudulent activities.

TeleSign can also help determine the status of a customer’s phone number to see if it is active, and can do a recent SIM card check to see if a SIM card was swapped.

2. Knowing their customers

With millions of transactions being conducted over a busy holiday shopping season, how does a company know their customers well enough to detect fraudulent activity on their accounts? They need to use Know Your Customer (KYC), an approach which relies on A.I. and machine learning to accurately assess patterns in behavior — and detect changes in those patterns, which could signal fraud or identity theft.

TeleSign uses advanced Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to help companies know their customers better. APIs deliver user verification, data insights and communications to help companies prevent account takeovers, support company ecosystems inside and out, minimize fraudulent transactions and securely verify customer phone numbers.

3. Companies need to leverage the best possible support for effective fraud prevention solutions

TeleSign’s technology uses complete in-depth data analysis to identify and prevent possible breaches, helping businesses set up and prepare fraud prevention solutions to create a frictionless, E2E customer journey. TeleSign’s solutions are trusted by some of the world’s largest platforms, including Citrix, Skype, Electronic Arts (EA), ByteDance and Salesforce.

To learn more about how companies can protect their holiday shoppers from fraud and identity theft, visit TeleSign.com.