How Phenix Franchisees Continue to Grow Even Facing a National Staffing Shortage
As we continue down the post-pandemic path with an optimistic view centered around increased vaccinations while employees return to the workplace, many franchisees are facing a new issue: staffing.
Labor shortages continue to make headlines in the restaurant and service industry sectors, where the pool of applicants is much smaller than the demand. With the economy bouncing back, and greater consumer demand in the retail and travel industries, many franchisors are looking for ways to help support their franchisees who need more staff to meet the growing need.
Many franchises are offering incentives to entice workers such as sign-on bonuses or tuition assistance programs. However, creating a culture of empowerment and a model that inspires all involved to take ownership of their work does not end once you get them in the door. Unique to Phenix Salon Suites, both franchisees and salon professionals are each their own boss, but our work to support these professionals offers lessons regardless of industry.
1. Address Issues that Matter to Your Stakeholders and Staff
Do franchisees understand how to engage their customers and communities where they are located? Phenix’s emphasis on staying close to the community needs with a focus on empathy has created a sustainable environment for customers, salon professionals and franchisees to navigate the post-pandemic workplace in an effective and respectful manner for all constituents. In the end, more salon professionals and their clients will be attracted to working in a place where others are happy and mindful of the new workplace environment.
2. Evaluate Systems and Processes
As a franchise, it is crucial we provide support to our teams and the resources necessary to overcome obstacles. Phenix provides extensive support to our salon professionals through valuable training and education as a free, unique benefit. Our game changing mobile app, Gina’s Platform, provides innovative business tools to help salon professionals run their business. With an eye on innovation, we continue to build enhancements into Gina’s Platform to help both our franchisees and our lifestyle professionals do their job more efficiently reducing dependency on labor.
Fortunately, at Phenix Salon Suites, our franchise model is built around just one part-time employee per location, exempting our franchisees from the imminent staffing shortage. You may wonder, in a salon as large as 7,000 square feet, how does that work?
Our operations rely entirely on our salon professionals, who lease individual suites to operate their own small business. Only one staff member is necessary to greet customers and manage the facility on a part-time basis. With a reliable ROI, very limited exposure to the labor market and minimal operational demands, our model really is the perfect solution to a tight labor market in a post-pandemic world.
3. Anchored in Company Culture
A positive culture is essential to your brand reputation and employee retention. By setting the tone at the corporate level, franchisees reap the benefits. While 98% of our franchisees come to Phenix with no salon industry experience, we have successfully maintained industry leading occupancy levels through the culture we teach our franchisees. Every company should stay true to its culture and values. A strong culture will reduce turnover and attract best-in-class salon professionals ensuring success for the franchisees with our model.
The first quarter of 2021 reported record demand from lifestyle professionals, with a 194% increase in salon professionals seeking suites to rent. With a proven playbook and ease of rentability, our franchisees truly appreciate that they are exempt from the staffing shortage.
Learn more about franchising with Phenix Salon Suites.