1851

Developments in low-priced technology such as mobile solutions, point-of-sale systems, social media and apps have<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/243581?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-technology-lessons-franchises-can-learn-from-non-franchise-brands-2706609" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"> revolutionized</a> the way companies do business; however, many franchises have been slow to adopt digital solutions that can help spur efficiency and improve operations.

There are many ways franchises can use technology to drive success. 1851 Franchise Magazine connected with Patrick Bobrukiewicz, director of business development for restaurant management solution system<a href="https://www.rosnet.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-technology-lessons-franchises-can-learn-from-non-franchise-brands-2706609" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"> Rosnet</a>, and David Finberg, digital marketing expert and founder of<a href="https://peaksdigitalmarketing.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-technology-lessons-franchises-can-learn-from-non-franchise-brands-2706609" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"> Peaks Digital Marketing</a>, for insights on ways franchises can learn from the ways in which non-franchise brands are utilizing technology.

1. Use social media to humanize your business.

According to Finberg, franchises can use<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/01/03/five-simple-and-effective-ways-to-humanize-your-brand-with-social-media/2/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-technology-lessons-franchises-can-learn-from-non-franchise-brands-2706609#b11de8cacf1a" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"> social media</a> to shine a spotlight on individual franchisees and employees to make themselves more relatable while revealing the humans behind the brands.

&ldquo;Personal stories are very compelling to people,&rdquo; Finberg said. &ldquo;Many smaller, non-franchise brands do a great job of personalizing themselves by leveraging social media. For example, a franchise that has 50 locations could set up a standard Facebook page for each one and then help the individual franchisees record a personal video to post on their pages.&rdquo;

Finberg says franchises can also post weekly segments featuring the people who work with the company and behind-the-scenes videos showcasing individual locations or departments.

2. Consistency is key.

Because it can be difficult for franchises to achieve conformity across a large system of franchisees, it is often easier for non-franchise brands to ensure technology, programs and systems are compatible and that they work together. However, a custom-built application program interface (API) hub can help franchises integrate programs and improve efficiency.

&ldquo;Typically, one of the largest challenges to a franchise operation is getting the franchisees to comply,&rdquo; Bobrukiewicz said. &ldquo;Company-operated concepts have more decisive control over systems, versions, platforms, applications, facilities, people management, recipes, operational execution and more.&rdquo;

3. Embrace omnichannel marketing.

With new technology at their fingertips, consumers are engaging with companies through a variety of platforms, including websites, mobile devices, apps and social media. To reach as many customers as possible and provide a seamless and integrated experience across all channels and devices, franchises should adopt an omnichannel approach.

&ldquo;As technology changes, people are engaging with brands across a multitude of mediums,&rdquo; Finberg said. &ldquo;Companies, including franchises with many different locations, must continually evolve to make sure every element of the brand works together, from websites to social media to blogs to search engine optimization.&rdquo;

By leveraging multiple channels, franchises can reach more consumers and potential customers along with increasing retention and return by creating an integrated experience.

4. Always innovate.

According to Bobrukiewicz, franchises can be slow to adopt new technology, systems and platforms due to concerns about reactions from franchisees, lengthy vetting processes and implementation challenges.

&ldquo;When you control your own destiny, you can make the decisions to move at your own pace,&rdquo; Bobrukiewicz said. &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t have to worry about the response from the franchisees or what it will do to their bottom line and getting it past a franchise counsel. You can decide to do something and move on that technology or platform&rdquo;

Despite the obstacles, franchises have a lot to gain from innovations such as fleet management apps, improved customer loyalty programs and digital signboards as well as operational streamlining provided by cloud-based tools and efficiencies in training and back-end operations like customer retention and billing that are already transforming how many non-franchise brands do business.

5. Get the most value out of your marketing budget.

As people spend an increasing amount of time on social media, traditional platforms like television are garnering less attention. Although many large franchises spend the majority of their marketing budgets on traditional platforms, Finberg said they could get more value through social media advertising.

&ldquo;Although television used to be the best way to reach an audience, that is rapidly changing with social media,&rdquo; Finberg said. &ldquo;Social media advertising is efficient because you can hyper-target specific segments of the market, reaching people more likely to take action for less money.&rdquo;

&nbsp;

5 Technology Lessons Franchises Can Learn from Non-Franchise Brands

1851 Franchise

As businesses benefit from technological advances, there are many ways franchises can capitalize on new innovations.

5-technology-lessons-franchises-can-learn-from-non-franchise-brands

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue’s Home Maintenance Plans: Peace of Mind for Homeowners

trublues-home-maintenance-plans-peace-of-mind-for-homeowners

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Targets Peoria, Illinois, for Franchise Growth

caring-transitions-targets-peoria-illinois-for-franchise-growth

Caring Transitions Celebrates a Strong Start to 2025 With 19 New Franchise Sales and Momentum-Building Training Events

caring-transitions-celebrates-a-strong-start-to-2025-with-19-new-franchise-sales-and-momentum-building-training-events

Right at Home

Right at Home 30th Anniversary in Home Care with Right at Home Logo

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence and Future Innovations in Home Care

celebrating-30-years-of-excellence-and-future-innovations-in-home-care

Why TruBlue is the Ideal Franchise for Multi-Unit Owners: Scalable Growth With a Purpose

why-trublue-is-the-ideal-franchise-for-multi-unit-owners-scalable-growth-with-a-purpose

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Amy Lepke and family and Papa Murphy's logo

After 14 Years as a Stay-At-Home Mom, Amy Lepke Returned to Papa Murphy’s — This Time as an Owner

papa-murphys-franchise-amy-lepke

Franchisee Spotlight with Micki Waters and Papa Murphy's Logo

Work Mom: How Micki Waters Became a Mother Figure to Her Entire Papa Murphy’s Team

work-mom-how-micki-waters-became-a-mother-figure-to-her-entire-papa-murphys-team

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

5 Technology Lessons Franchises Can Learn from Non-Franchise Brands

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS