Wondering what many top-performing franchisees have in common? Spoiler alert, it\u2019s not luck. Successful franchisees tend to focus on developing simple, consistent daily habits that keep their operations running smoothly and drive sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, I\u2019ll list out some of these habits and routines that set successful franchisees apart to help you build a high-performing franchise location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Top-performing franchisees are financially disciplined and always looking for data about their business. One of my top tips<\/a> is to review your sales figures and other numbers, such as labor costs, from the day before. This way, you know how your business is performing in real time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a look at your total revenue compared to the same day last week, and see if you can spot any anomalies. Being meticulous with tracking these numbers helps you stay on top of your budget<\/a> and notice issues like sales dips or rising labor costs early on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This habit will also help you with your day-to-day decision-making. If sales are falling below target, you may need to react by adjusting staffing or launching a new promotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This may seem like a small detail, but it can make a real difference. Top-performing franchisees often conduct a thorough sweep of their location before opening for the day. Arrive early and inspect your store for cleanliness, safety, and general readiness. Psychologically, this will help you get the lay of the land and show your staff you care about attention to detail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Successful franchisees make sure their location is in tip-top shape before customers arrive. Make sure the surfaces are spotless, the shelves are stocked, and all important equipment is in working order. Put yourself in the customer\u2019s shoes; something as minor as a gum wrapper strewn on the floor can give a bad first impression and throw off their entire experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I highly recommend kicking off each shift with a short team meeting. It doesn\u2019t have to be long, just five to ten minutes to align the team, go over any shift-specific notes, share important updates, and set the tone for the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This gives you the chance to talk about the daily goals and encourage everyone to do the best job possible. You can use this pre-shift meeting to go over last night\u2019s sales numbers, highlight a new promotion, or remind them that there\u2019s an important order coming in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is also an opportunity to recognize employees who are doing well and get your team \u201cin the zone\u201d before the shift starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many franchisees underestimate the value of online reviews. In my view, you should treat reviews and social media comments as an extension of your customer service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the modern digital era, online reviews are more important than ever, and how you respond to these reviews can significantly impact your sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study by Capital One<\/a>, 89% of consumers are more likely to choose a business that responds to customer reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regularly check for new reviews on big platforms like Google, Facebook, and Yelp, and respond personally, whether it\u2019s positive or negative. If a customer posts praise, thank them sincerely and tell them you\u2019re looking forward to seeing them again. If a review is negative, apologize and, where possible, offer to make it right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being this responsive to reviews shows current and future customers you truly value their feedback and are willing to fix any issues that arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A common mistake that franchisees make is ignoring local marketing. Many owners simply pay their ad fund contributions<\/a> and then leave marketing to the franchisor. But your local marketing should be part of your daily routine and can significantly boost your sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, by spending a few minutes each day on your location\u2019s social media channels or doing community outreach, you can increase awareness about your unit and get more customers through the door. This could be as simple as posting a quick update or photo on Instagram or even contributing to a local forum\/discussion board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, a restaurant franchisee<\/a> can post about a daily special with an appetizing photo of the dish on Instagram each morning. On the other hand, a fitness franchise<\/a> owner might share a workout tip or success story from a customer. These local touches really bring value to your customer base and help to humanize your brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I suggest stepping back and looking at wider performance trends every week. Some franchisees don\u2019t do this regularly, but, at the end of the day, you\u2019re more likely to lose track of things if you only check every month or quarter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Every Monday morning or Friday afternoon, review your key performance indicators (KPIs) against your weekly or monthly goals. These core KPIs may include total weekly sales, customer footfall, average transaction value, labor cost percentage, customer satisfaction scores, etc. Essentially, all the vital signs of your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Compare your current numbers with last week\u2019s and with the same time the previous year. This will help you gauge progress, while also accounting for seasonal trends. A weekly KPI review means you\u2019re less likely to get too bogged down in daily fluctuations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A common mistake<\/a> I see franchisees make is taking too much of a backseat when it comes to on-the-ground presence. Successful franchisees prioritize being at their location in person whenever possible. Listen to your staff greeting customers at the counter, watch a few checkout transactions, or spend time in the kitchen to ensure the brand standards are being met. Where necessary, you can also coach your team in real time. For example, if staff are having a tough time clearly explaining the new promo, take a moment to explain things clearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a franchisee, you should make it your personal business to stay on top of inventory, especially high-turnover items. Every day, inspect stock levels of your most critical inventory. If you run a cafe, check for essential items such as coffee beans and milk; if you run a retail store, check for your top twenty best-selling items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goal here is to make sure you never run out of the products that keep your business chugging along. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The most successful franchisees are keenly aware of their competitive landscape. A good habit to have is scanning for competitor activity in your area. This could mean simply driving by a competitor\u2019s store on the way home to see if they\u2019re busy, or spending ten or fifteen minutes checking a rival\u2019s recent social media posts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By making competitor awareness part of your daily practice, you can catch opportunities and threats early. For example, if a competitor down the street from you launches a big promotion, you might decide it\u2019s time to create a promotion of your own for an extra marketing push.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pre-shift meetings are great, but it\u2019s also important to make time for one-on-one interactions with your staff. This could be having a quick, casual chat with an employee during quiet moments, or it could be structured, scheduled check-ins with each team lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your relationship with your location\u2019s staff should be a two-way street. Listen to their concerns, and make sure they actually feel heard. Employees often feel more comfortable sharing ideas or concerns one-on-one than in a group. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This can have a major positive impact on morale. A recent study by Business Insider<\/a> shows that 1:1 meetings with employees boost productivity, engagement, and their overall well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n Sign up for our free email newsletter. It’s a 5-minute read once a week to help you level up on the franchising industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Walk the Floor Before Customers Arrive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Run a Pre-Shift Team Huddle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Reply to Every New Customer Review<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Post to Local Social Media or Community Boards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Review Your Core KPIs for the Week<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Observe Service Interactions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Make a point of stepping back and observing how your customers and employees interact. Of course, you don\u2019t want your team to feel you\u2019re micromanaging them too much<\/a>, but the more present you are, the more normal they\u2019ll find you being around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n8. Check Inventory on High-Turnover Items<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Do Quick Competitor Recon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10. Check in With Team Members Individually<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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