Successful franchisees don’t just run a business that’s consistently in the black. Of course, making money for yourself and your franchisor is great, but there are other elements of a successful franchise that can help improve profit or go beyond it. Two important things to consider are community involvement and business development.
Community involvement should be built into any franchise business. This is especially true if you are opening the first iteration of a franchise in your area. You, not the corporate team, will be the face of the franchise in that area, so you must show that you are a business that cares. Create a specific plan for how your business will give back to the local community. You can sign up or help sponsor charity races, for instance, or you can set up donations to food banks on holidays.
In addition to being good things to do, these activities increase your visibility among the community and make people feel good about supporting your business. Even if you have an established franchise that has yet to get involved, it’s not too late! Draft your community plan today and look forward to the benefits.
Community involvement is a great way to build your image and trust, but how you deliver on that increased interest also matters. This is where business development comes in. Sure, your franchisor provides a blueprint for the day-to-day, but it’s up to you to attend business conferences, network, and keep up with the latest trends in the industry so you can make innovations and tweaks that will allow your franchise to nimbly adapt to unforeseen circumstances such as pandemics, natural disasters, or common pitfalls in the industry. Your franchisor may have ideas about where to go and who to speak with, so you can use them as a resource, but don’t be afraid to do your own legwork as well.
Rosati’s has more than 200 locations across the United States, making us one of the most successful pizza franchises in the nation. We have plenty of experience helping our franchisees start and grow their businesses. Reach out to us today for more information!