Looking forward to your franchise’s big opening day is fearful for many new franchise owners. In most cases, it works out wonderfully, so take a deep breath and realize that the odds are in your favor. At the same time, there are some steps you can take to help you prepare for your franchise’s grand opening.
Support Systems
Most franchises offer lots of support for new franchisees. They are anxious for you to succeed as you are because it increases their profit margins. Know which training you need to complete before your big day. Keep the contact numbers to your franchise customer support close at hand. You may also want to form a friendship with franchisees with your company who have been with the company for a while because they can be outstanding sources of information. Most are very willing to share their knowledge with you. Additionally, you may want to make friends with other local business owners because they know how the local government operates and how to accomplish important tasks.
Hire Experienced People
When you are conducting interviews, be sure that you hire people who have been successful within your industry before. They can be an invaluable resource in helping you run your business smoothly because they have the first-hand experience. Listen to these team members while sticking within your franchise’s rules. Choose people that have the right attitude to help you provide great customer service. As much as you can, equip these employees with your permission to do what is necessary to make sure the customer is treated right in the customer’s eyes. Even if you have to give up a few dollars now, you want to generate positive word-of-mouth advertising.
Educate Yourself
You are the leader of the team, and you do not want to look uneducated in your team’s or your customer’s eyes. There are over 600,000 different Podcasts available for free, and many of them discuss franchised business ownership. While you cannot listen to all of them, choose ones in areas where you are struggling and get advice from them. Remember that there is no such thing as a dumb question, so ask your regional managers and more experienced franchise owners any questions that you arise.
Stay Positive
Remember that the first few days are often the hardest ones in any business. While you may not sleep many hours, find ways to keep your stress level under control. You may want to go for a walk, listen to music, or take a power nap if you feel the stress start to get too much to handle. Your team and customers need a stable leader. Preparing for your grand opening as a franchise can be hard. Take advantage of these tools and people who are ready to assist you to have your best shot at a successful first day.