1851

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 <a href="https://www.franchiselawsolutions.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-conversation-with-richard-huffman-britt-mckenzie-and-jim-dirugeris-of-celebree-school-2713005" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Internicola Law Firm</a>, are covering the coronavirus and its impact on businesses through our <a href="https://mbf6e734.clickfunnels.com/webinar-registration1584137477175?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-conversation-with-richard-huffman-britt-mckenzie-and-jim-dirugeris-of-celebree-school-2713005" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A Conversation With webinar series.</a>In today’s morning webinar, Powills and Internicola spoke with <a href="https://www.celebree.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-conversation-with-richard-huffman-britt-mckenzie-and-jim-dirugeris-of-celebree-school-2713005" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Celebree School</a> CEO Richard Huffman, Chief Development Officer Jim DiRugeris and new franchisee Britt McKenzie about how the brand is navigating the pandemic.&nbsp;Here are some of the key insights from their discussion.<h4>Flexibility and Communication</h4>Right now, it is crucial to open up direct lines of communication between franchisees and franchise leadership teams. Maintaining a bullish attitude of “We’ll get through this and be successful” and maintaining frequent communication with franchisees can instill confidence. Franchisors need to deliver on the promises and commitments they made to their franchisees. Franchisors need to be flexible and be willing to have phone calls with franchisees during off-hours.&nbsp;<h4>Avoiding Temporary Closures</h4>Childcare is one of the fastest-growing industries, and pent-up demand for those services creates a lot of curiosity about the industry, both for parents and prospective franchisees.&nbsp;Should a business opt to close completely at this time, momentum may be hard to regain upon reopening. Closures might also drive customers to the competition, and some of those customers may never return.&nbsp;From a franchise development standpoint, brands that completely cease operations at this time may miss out on the prospective franchisees that are out there. The majority of franchisees coming into a system do not just want any business; they want a business that will allow them to leave a legacy behind and serve communities. Now that people are at home with a lot of extra time to think, these types of business will increasingly become appealing to them.&nbsp;<h4>Capitalizing on Real Estate</h4>Brands will have an opportunity to capitalize on real estate. Real estate brokers must be held accountable to help brands find the best possible locations.&nbsp;The goal of a leadership team is to make sure vision becomes a reality. Leadership teams must deliver on the promises they’ve made to their franchisees.&nbsp;<h4>Listening to Franchisees</h4>Flexibility, creativity and passion are very important at this time. Franchisor confidence will go a long way in reassuring both existing and new franchisees. It’s important that leadership teams present a united front.&nbsp;Brands don’t sell brands, people do. Franchisors need to get out of their own egos and listen to their franchise owners. Too many franchise sales websites just have pictures of buildings.

A Conversation With: Richard Huffman, Britt McKenzie and Jim DiRugeris of Celebree School 

1851 Franchise

Nick Powills and Charles Internicola are joined by Celebree School CEO Richard Huffman, Chief Development Officer Jim DiRugeris and new franchisee Britt McKenzie on how the brand is doing during this challenging time. 

a-conversation-with-richard-huffman-britt-mckenzie-and-jim-dirugeris-of-celebree-school

Mosquito Squad Plus

How This Marine Corps Veteran Found Freedom and Purpose With Mosquito Squad

how-this-marine-corps-veteran-found-freedom-and-purpose-with-mosquito-squad

Spadea Lignana Franchise Attorneys

How The DeFelice Brothers Turned a $10,000 Loan Into an Award-Winning Franchise With Help From Spadea Lignana

how-the-defelice-brothers-turned-a-10000-loan-into-an-award-winning-franchise-with-help-from-spadea-lignana

Caring Transitions

How This Gilbert Entrepreneur Found Purpose Helping Families Through Life’s Transitions

how-this-gilbert-entrepreneur-found-purpose-helping-families-through-lifes-transitions

USA Ninja Challenge

Where Passion Meets Purpose: USA Ninja Challenge Gives Franchisees the Power to Change Lives

where-passion-meets-purpose-usa-ninja-challenge-gives-franchisees-the-power-to-change-lives

SweatHouz

From Finance to Wellness: Natalie Siewers’ Path to Leading SweatHouz in Northern Virginia

sweathouz-franchise-northern-virginia-natalie-siewers

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 Development Website Builder

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

Thursday 1851 Franchise Agg - NASAA’s Noncompete Push

NASAA’s Noncompete Push Puts Franchise Growth on Uncertain Ground

franchise-noncompete-nasaa-advisory-reasonableness-standard

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

image of mellow mushroom deep dive into financials article from 1851 franchise

Mellow Mushroom Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

mellow-mushroom-franchise-deep-dive

How goGLOW Turned Clean Beauty Into a Scalable Franchise and Why It’s Accelerating Now

goglow-clean-beauty-tanning-franchise

Shoot 360 Aims for the Topgolf Model, Using Elite Basketball Tech to Appeal to Players '7 to 70'

shoot-360-franchise-growth-tech-basketball-brad-butterworth

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

A Conversation With: Richard Huffman, Britt McKenzie and Jim DiRugeris of Celebree School

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS