General News

Maintain Strong Relations With Your Franchisor

The success of the franchise business depends to a large extent on the relationship between the franchisor and the franchisee. Whether it’s a chain of an international franchise or a new national franchise opportunity, nothing matters if the franchisor and the franchisee don’t effectively communicate with each other. Just as the franchisor will do his part of keeping a healthy working relationship, you should also try to follow the following advices to keep your part of the bargain:

• Understand the fact that franchising is a TEAM effort. So, do everything to be part of a team. Volunteer in any franchise-related program. For example, if your franchisor is looking for a franchise location to try its new line of products, then you can volunteer your location. It will give you a chance to offer something new to your customers. And that will generate more revenue for you, apart from providing you an advantage over others in the system. Another good way to volunteer is helping the franchisor in training the new franchisees. Most top franchises will have an on-site training week; why not make your location that site? Along with sharing your knowledge, you will be paid handsomely by the franchisor as well.

• If you have a new idea regarding the day-to-day operation of the company, talk about that to your franchise representative. But keep in mind a few factors; firstly, it should have an impact in other markets as well.And make sure you’ve thoroughly tested it and can articulate why it works better than the previous program.

• The best franchises have reached their present status because they took their franchisees into confidence. If you have developed a new product for your store that you think will sell well, talk to your franchisor. In fact, you likely are bound to talk to them, if you want to make any change in the product or service that is being offered by you. Since the franchisees are in the front-line, most franchises listen to them regarding these things.

• If you have to make a complaint, be very polite about it. First, point out the good things about the system (or any person) and then tell them the reason for your dissatisfaction. If the franchisor (or the representative) come down to your location, make sure your house is in top shape to prove how efficient you are! Then you can make your point of dissatisfaction clearer to them. Also make sure you have a genuine reason to complain.

• Don’t cross swords with your franchisor every time it proposes any change in the system. Trust the business sense of your franchisor; it’s the reason why you started a franchise under it in the first place.

• Lastly for effective communication, know whom you should talk to in the franchise system. For example, in new franchise opportunities, it’s possible to directly contact and talk to the founder of the company. But best franchises in today’s business are often big conglomerates run by shareholders and board of directors. In that case, good rapport with the master franchisee and the regional director is must.