How can franchisees take advantage of all available training opportunities?

Franchisees should conduct regular operational audits to assess the efficiency and compliance of their restaurant. Engaging with the franchisor involves open communication channels, attending training sessions, and participating in collaborative forums. Actively seek feedback from customers and staff to identify areas for improvement. Leverage performance metrics and benchmarks provided by the franchisor to measure operational success. Establish a proactive relationship with the franchisor, communicating challenges and proposing innovative solutions to enhance overall operational performance. Align company KPI's, a great place to start is financial information on the FDD. If you are off-track, ask your franchise consultant for help!

I don’t know that taking advantage of ALL training resources is a realistic or smart approach. Instead prioritize what’s most important, makes the greatest impact, is feasible with your current state and go after that to demonstrate real progress. Rinse and repeat as your build capability and your strategic priorities evolve.

To start a franchisee is itself a tough task. Surely the franchisor is selected on the baiss of the existing skill set. However operating a franchisee shall require a lot of other skills. And the franchisor would be the best to tell which skills should the franchisee be trained on. Investing time (more than money) on the training modules of franchisor is every franchisee should do. And it becomes important to attend the training program at the start of every new unit / new product introduction.

Don’t underestimate the classic brainstorm exercises and writing things down! Sometimes, it’s helpful to make a “T” chart with your strengths and weaknesses. Being self-aware and motivated to improve are keys to success as a franchisee!

Every success comes with the strict set of guidelines and this is important while taking / operating the franchisee. Every franchisor has set some guidelines (on entire operations) which is to be followed. Especially the intial / ongoing traning for the staff (new as well as old). These training & guidelines give directions for the policies / system / staff / marketing / sales & other operations. Attending and ensuring the staff attends these modules makes success closer.

Remember that the guidelines are in place for a reason, and these training programs are developed by knowledgeable experts with experience scaling businesses. It’s about more than just compliance. Ultimately, if you want to reach your full potential as a franchisee, you must trust that your franchisor (and their guidelines) will lead you there.

Feedback can also include asking the franchisor to add a new module or topic to their training. Most like this will happen when you are much further align in your ownership journey with your franchisor. If you notice that there are certain things you feel like you wish you had known or could have used more training on, it is important to give feedback to franchisor as you learn more about the business. Franchisor a should have seasoned franchisees sit in on trainings to audit them and see if there needs to changes to the training programs. Finally, franchisees come from different backgrounds and they could provide feedback to improve training based on experiences they have had outside prior to or outside the brand.

Post attending the trainings offered by franchisor, franchisees should ensure the guidelines are followed. And franchisors would be keen to recieve the feedback so that more relevant topics be included in the future modules. By offering feedback, franchisees not only push franchisees for improvement in modules, but also ensure their efficient and effective operations. Its a win win situation for all.

Is attending training a waste of time? Yes, if the learning are not implement. And this is where franchisees fail. No implementation will ensure planning to fail. Since traning modules are created using the best practices followed by franchisor / industry practices, by strict imleentation franchisees would ensure faster success.

You should also transfer the knowledge and skills you’ve gained from your franchisor - to your GMs and even your hourly employees. Keep in mind that not all changes can (or should) be made overnight. As long as you’re working your way there, step-by-step. Just don’t push these improvements to the back burner - prioritize them! ????

Yes you have attended the wonderful training offered by your franchisor. But does that stop there? Remember when you were studying. Coaching classes were not sufficient. Other reference material gave you that EXTRA to score well. The same rule applies in franchisees. Books / blog / articles / guidance from mentors give you that EXTRA knowledge to be implemented.

Leverage on franchisees trainers be it technical, soft skills, network development etc. They will be able to form a base on skeleton for you to accelerate onboarding, training and quality control standards.

As important as the hard skills are for training, soft skills are also incredibly important not only for Franchisors but their leadership teams. Skills like leadership, 1:1 development and de-escalation are vital to learn.