Why E-learning is a Critical Tool for Franchise Staff Development

Technology currently drives the franchising industry—apps, mobile sites and engaging digital content are all factors that distinguish brands in their crowded markets. So it only makes sense for franchisors to take it one step farther and go digital when it comes to training their own teams.

E-learning is an invaluable tool for franchise staff development. It’s a cost effective way to streamline employee training programs across all franchise units, regardless of their physical locations. E-learning technology also allows employees to train on their own schedules and at their own pace, making the process work for each individual employee.

Franchises have already started working their own unique e-learning systems into their staff development programs. Toppers University, Toppers Pizza*’s proprietary e-learning website, is constantly changing in order to keep up with the digital training trend.

“Five years ago, our entire e-learning program was made up of one video. Now, it’s evolved to the point where it’s the main driver for all of our employee training programs,” said Matt Martin, director of training for Toppers Pizza. “Toppers University is a major hub for our company. If you’re a trainer or an employee looking to be trained, everything you need is right there.”

Toppers isn’t the only brand that’s caught on— information from eLearning Industry shows that right now, 77 percent of companies in the U.S. offer online programs to better their employee training. That online corporate market is expected to grow by 13 percent every year up until 2017.

E-learning technology is also beneficial to franchises because it allows for professional development. Through online training programs and courses, employees are able to explore potential future career opportunities that brands offer. That encourages high employee retention rates and fosters a positive corporate work environment.

“We make sure our employees are aware of different opportunities for growth starting on day one, and it’s mentioned multiple times throughout all of our Toppers University programs. That way it becomes a part of our corporate culture,” said Martin. “We want our employees to know that it’s possible to start as a driver and end up as a franchisee. We’ve seen it happen before.”

The importance of e-learning for the franchising industry as it relates to staff development is only going to grow. As more millennials begin entering the workforce, training programs and employee resources will continue to find a home online. That will allow franchises to collaborate between units and ultimately reach a wider group of employees.

“Right now, we teach leadership classes at our headquarters in Wisconsin. But we’ve gotten big enough where there are stores that are too far away to attend. We don’t want our training programs to be limited to a small group of employees. E-training solves that problem by enabling our staff training programs to reach the masses,” Martin said.