This post is part of a series asking top franchisors a commonly asked question by prospective franchisees. Today's question is: Can you tell us a little bit about the day-to-day activities of your franchisees?
Dave Dahl
Vice President of Development at The Great Frame Up, a retail franchise focused on the preservation of artwork, photographs, and other memories
It will vary from owner to owner. Some may function as an owner/operator and manager while others may choose to supervise a staff either day to day or as a semi-absentee owner. Many of our Franchisees choose to spend as much time as they can engaged with their customers as a sales person. Others might chose to focus on the technical framing side of the business and let staff handle the selling. We encourage all owners to make overall management of the business their first priority.
Craig Annis
Founder of Vanguard Key Clubs, a 24-hour key club fitness franchise that runs completely non-staffed
Basically checking in on a computer or laptop for enrollments and other administrative needs that come in through the website. There will also be a few minutes each day of letting members in to tour facilities (remotely). If someone is looking for a 40 hour per week job…sorry to disappoint…it’s really not that time consuming once things get rolling.
Ken Parsons
President of The Brothers That Just Do Gutters, a home services franchise that offers installation, cleaning, and repair of seamless rain gutters and leaf guards
As a Brothers Gutters owner in the beginning of your business you will be focused on sales and production. The best thing you can do is build a structured schedule, which we have in our operations manual.
During the beginning phases, it is suggested that you arrive early to review hours for the day, and the previous day's results. Having meetings with your crew and back office staff on a weekly basis is key to efficiency. Each day, you will also allot time slots for estimates and assist in creating production schedules. Your days will also consist of networking, training, selling, managing your team, and office time. Ultimately, your day-to-day business practices will be molded to your preferences, but we will provide you with a suggested daily schedule/plan for the weeks following the launch of your business until you get into a successful routine.
As you develop depth in your team as your business grows, you will replace yourself in overseeing sales and production.
Pedro “Pete” Mora
Founder of Fajita Pete’s, a “fresh off the grill” fajita food franchise concept
If you are a single unit operator you will begin by setting up the restaurant for success through planning, checklists, and coaching. You will operate your store and engage customers in conversation to promote and expand the services we provide. Managing the team will be an ongoing process at different points of the day. Inventory management will kick in on certain days of the week and ordering product will be done before the end of day.
Multi-unit operators will manage their managers by setting goals for their team and periodically meeting with them to make sure they are on track. They will provide marketing support and leadership with a more long term focus while allowing staff to handle day to day activities that the industry requires.
Doug Dwyer
President, Owner and Chief Stewarding Officer of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen, a home remodeling franchise
This can look very different as it depends upon which stage of growth they are in and what their growth goals are. Some will be more focused on heavy growth in an early stage of growth and put more time in the sales and marketing or have a sales manager for this and focus more on production. A franchisee who is further along in the stages of growth model, may be spending a larger time investment in human resource programs for their employees, mentoring other franchisees who are in an earlier stage of growth and succession planning.
Andrew Pudalov
Founder and CEO of Rush Bowls, a fast-casual franchise that serves meals crafted with fruit and a variety of toppings
The days can vary, but they’ll generally be ordering food, paper and equipment, scheduling and managing their staff and ensuring that their customers are happy. Franchisees will also be engaging the community and fulfilling catering orders for neighboring businesses, schools and other local organizations.