How do you incorporate social and environmental responsibility into your franchise?

1 Assess your impact

The first step is to understand how your franchise affects the social and environmental issues that matter to you and your customers. You can use tools like the B Impact Assessment or the Global Reporting Initiative to measure and benchmark your performance on various aspects of sustainability, such as waste, energy, water, emissions, diversity, ethics, and community engagement. This will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, set goals and priorities, and track your progress over time.

2 Choose your suppliers

One of the easiest ways to improve your social and environmental responsibility is to choose suppliers that share your values and standards. Look for suppliers that have certifications or accreditations that demonstrate their commitment to quality, safety, fair trade, organic, or green practices. You can also ask your suppliers to provide information on their sourcing, production, and distribution processes, and how they address any social or environmental risks or impacts. By choosing responsible suppliers, you can reduce your environmental footprint, support ethical and local businesses, and enhance your brand image.

4 Communicate your story

Your customers and stakeholders want to know what you are doing to make a difference and why it matters to you. Communicate your story by using various channels and platforms, such as your website, social media, newsletters, brochures, or signage. You can also use stories, testimonials, images, videos, or infographics to showcase your achievements, challenges, and impacts. Invite feedback, questions, and suggestions from your audience, and respond to them in a transparent and respectful way. By communicating your story, you can build trust, loyalty, and advocacy among your customers and stakeholders, as well as attract new ones.

5 Collaborate with others

You don't have to do it alone. Collaborate with others who share your vision and values, such as your franchisor, other franchisees, local organizations, or industry associations. Leverage their expertise, resources, networks, and influence to amplify your impact and reach. You can also learn from their best practices, experiences, and insights, and share yours with them. Join or support campaigns, events, or initiatives that align with your goals and causes. By collaborating with others, you can create synergies, partnerships, and opportunities for mutual benefit and growth.

6 Review and improve

Social and environmental responsibility is not a one-time project or a static state. It is a continuous process of learning, adapting, and improving. You should regularly review and evaluate your performance, results, and impacts, and celebrate your successes and milestones. You should also identify and address any gaps, challenges, or risks that may arise, and seek feedback and input from your staff, customers, suppliers, and stakeholders. You should also keep up to date with the latest trends, standards, and expectations in sustainability, and look for ways to innovate and enhance your practices. By reviewing and improving, you can ensure that your social and environmental responsibility is relevant, effective, and meaningful.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?