A Conversation With: Randy Shacka and Curtis Newman of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®

The coronavirus continues to have dire effects on businesses across the country, and the franchise industry is no exception. Franchisors across segments are strategizing new ways to support their franchisees, keep customers satisfied, help local communities and come out stronger on the other side of this crisis.

To that end, 1851 Franchise publisher Nick Powills and Charles Internicola, founder and partner of the Internicola Law* Firm, are covering the coronavirus and its impact on the franchising industry through our A Conversation With webinar series.

In today’s morning webinar, Powills and Internicola spoke TWO MEN AND A TRUCK*® president Randy Shacka and franchisee Curtis Newman about how the franchising industry is responding to the crisis.

Here are some of the key insights from their discussion.

The Benefits of a Franchise System

Entrepreneurs get into franchising because they want to enjoy corporate support. Now, franchisees with the most solid brands are seeing their decision validated. Strong franchisors are in constant communication with franchisees, sharing information and resources and making themselves available for whatever may be needed of them. Independent businesses do not have that kind of support right now. Franchisees feel lucky to be part of a system. 

Flexibility, Values and Humility

This crisis has forced franchise leaders to become more agile. Longstanding brands have weathered storms before, and what never changes are the core values and the reasons the brand provides its team to get up every day. 

Leaders need to bring hope. Leadership that ends when things get tough isn’t leadership at all. It’s time to clarify facts, bring hope and reaffirm why the franchisor exists. 

A franchisor’s value ultimately comes down to action. Everyone needs to take things a step further and make one more phone call or send one more email or text message to check in and see how employees and customers are doing. 

We would all do well to recognize the fact that some franchise brands may not survive this crisis. Everyone should move forward with humility and appreciation. 

The Value of Encouragement 

Employees are the face of your organization, they are the ones who take care of the customers. So it’s important to breed as much positivity as possible. From recording encouraging videos to hosting virtual happy hours, there are many ways to help keep people positive and safe and happy. 

Leaders have the power to reaffirm a sense of positivity and hope. They must continue to take care of their employees throughout this crisis and have conversations every day to put them at ease. Make sure to take care of people and don’t forget why you’re in this position of leadership. Balance the long term with the short term. Wake up every day reaffirming what you’re going to do to support your team and balance reality with a sense of hope. 

Looking to 2021 

This is a good time to come up with guiding principles to help get through future crises. Do not lose sight of your foundation and purpose during this storm. Make sure every phone call and text message supports your organization’s principles. 

Community Support

Now is a time for brands to be pillars in their communities. Franchise brands can think about ways in which they can use their services to help their local communities. 

Recruiting

There will be a shift in the labor force. People will evaluate their careers differently after this chapter. Brands that faced labor-shortage issues will soon be able to ensure they recruit the right people who are aligned with their core values.