10 Qualities of a Successful Togo’s Franchisee

For over 40 years, Togo’s has been scaling and refining their franchise model, making it one of the most desirable concepts in the fast-casual segment. That model has been successfully applied by hundreds of franchisees throughout the West Coast, and the brand keeps growing.

Even with a fine-tuned operational model providing the day-to-day standard operating procedures, some owners have exhibited particularly successful traits that improve their store’s performance. Here are 10 of those traits, shared by many of the most successful Togo’s owners.

1. They are focused on the customer.

A franchise owner has a lot to think about. There’s staff management, marketing, inventory, infrastructure and technology, and a host of other daily concerns. The best organizing principle to ground those concerns is the customer experience. Every aspect of the business funnels down to how the customer feels when they leave the restaurant, and every aspect of the business should be managed with that experience in mind.

2. They are team players and believe in the “Power of We."

The most successful Togo’s franchisees understand that they are not independent operators. Franchising is a team sport, and the most successful store owners understand that they can’t win on their own. That means applying the procedures and best practices established by the corporate team and other store owners, and it means building strong relationships with other team members across the system.

3. They are present.

Though the Togo’s operational system is uniformly applied across stores, each location has its own unique rhythm. Through onsite or offsite management, owners know how to maintain their stores through themselves or through others. Togo’s has tools to manage the process in both forms of ownership!

4. They invest back into the business.

Togo’s owners benefit from strong marketing support, including a regional marketing manager who guides owners through optimization of their designated market area and local store marketing efforts, and the most successful franchisees leverage those benefits by investing in local marketing campaigns, which can be tailored to their store’s community. A smartly designed local marketing campaign can help transform a Togo’s location from one of a number of local options into a community hub, integral to its surroundings. Togo’s marketing team is on hand to direct and support any and all franchisee marketing efforts.

5. They have a passion for the brand.

A genuine passion for the product can act as a buffer against slipping standards. A Togo’s owner who loves the sandwiches is going to be particularly defensive of the store’s standards for quality. Passionate store owners also find that their attitude is infectious, inspiring staff to take a personal stake in their work.

6. They know how to work with people.

Franchising is a people business. Team Togo’s members at all levels of the business have arrived at their position with wildly different experiences. Stores are staffed with diverse casts of workers, each with unique backgrounds and aspirations. A successful owner listens carefully and invests a personal interest into the lives of their team members so that they can communicate compassionately and effectively.

7. They are actively engaged in their community.

The success of any local business depends largely on its community. A store owner who is engaged with the community can drive initial and repeat customers and influence the success of his or her Togo’s locations.

8. They know when to ask for help.

Togo’s offers franchisees a robust suite of dedicated support services, including manager training, in-store visits from consultants marketing support, supply-chain support, and open lines of communication with the corporate team. A Togo’s owner who takes advantage of those services increases the potential of their store. One of the primary benefits of franchise ownership is access to the experience and support of a team of professionals who know the brand inside and out, and the most successful Togo’s owners rely on that pool of knowledge every day.

9. They build relationships.

Successful Togo’s stores are built on strong relationships. An owner who has strong relationships with their vendors will get better service; an owner who has strong relationships with their employees can result in better customer service; an owner who has a strong relationship with the corporate team will find great resources when they need support; and an owner who has a strong relationship with their community will see more repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals.

10. They know when to grow.

One of the chief benefits of franchise ownership is the potential for growth. Togo’s has been expanding out from its initial California locations for years, and franchisees interested in multi-unit ownership have no shortage of opportunities to fulfill that goal. They key is knowing exactly when you are prepared to take on an additional unit, and Togo’s can help you pave the way.