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Baltimore-based Continental Realty Corporation recently found a bright spot with a new kind of service-oriented tenant: <a href="https://www.bigblueswimschool.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-this-atlanta-shopping-center-landlord-loves-big-blue-swim-school-as-a-tenant-2716140" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Big Blue Swim School</a>.&nbsp;This Chicago-based brand is the fastest-growing swim school franchise in the country, providing swim lessons to families with children ages three months to 12 years old. Last year, Big Blue took over three contiguous in-line spaces at a center that Continental owns and operates in Johns Creek, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta.Big Blue isn’t just helping its occupancy rate for the shopping center, but its opening is boosting traffic to other tenants as well.&nbsp;“Big Blue is drawing the type of family-oriented shopper we typically want to attract to our retail shopping centers,” said Blake Dickinson, Continental’s Director of Commercial Leasing. “And they're doing it by providing an important service for the community,” he added.Service providers are good for landlords because while Amazon may deliver everything from groceries to big-screen televisions, they can’t deliver unique services like swim lessons.&nbsp;“With the evolution of ecommerce, shopping centers are increasingly looking for opportunities to include both retail and service-oriented shopping experiences,” Dickinson said. &nbsp;<h4>Finding the 'Path of Least Resistance'&nbsp;</h4>As shopping center space becomes available, Big Blue says it is ready to make the most of these new opportunities.&nbsp;“We’re seeing space free up and we are identifying spaces and properties we want to pursue,” said Scott Sanders, Big Blue Swim School CEO.&nbsp;Big Blue’s prime targets are traditional retail spaces. &nbsp;“We try to put ourselves in the path of least resistance, where families are already spending their time,” said Sanders. “We don’t want families to go out of their way to find us. Typically, that's going to put us in a retail shopping center or maybe a freestanding building near the retail center.”<h4>Swimming in a Former Outback Steakhouse</h4>In Johns Creek, an Outback Steakhouse had relocated prior to Continental’s acquisition of North Bridges Shopping Center in March 2018. The marketing of that availability lead Continental to discover Big Blue.&nbsp;“From the perspective of a retail landlord, what we're trying to do is build a tenant mix that is symbiotic and have tenants that complement each other and ultimately drive traffic,” Dickinson said. “That’s the way malls work: we’re only as good as our tenant mix.”The swim school needed not only the former Outback space, but the two adjacent spaces as well, for a total of approximately 10,000 square feet.&nbsp;“It was an attractive proposition because it filled three availabilities, and the use was just really compelling,” said Dickinson.When it came time to build out the space, Continental had found a “first-class operator,” Dickinson said. Big Blue’s construction team made them feel comfortable with the process.&nbsp;“You want to know the group you're working with will do the right thing,” said Dickinson. “They have to be credible in terms of the contractors they're using, the engineering, the architecture, and the mechanicals, and Big Blue was ready and willing to work with us on addressing those types of concerns.”&nbsp;<h4>The Right Times in the Right Places</h4>Dickinson says Big Blue Swim School’s hours of operation also make them an ideal tenant.&nbsp;Big Blue’s daytime and early evening hours correspond more closely with other tenants, making it easy for parents to utilize other stores in the center. Whether it’s grocery shopping while the kids take their lessons or taking everyone out for dinner or ice cream afterward, Big Blue provides the collaborative relationship between tenants that appeals to landlords.Those benefits have made Big Blue the new darling of the commercial real estate community.&nbsp;According to Dickinson: “At this point, Big Blue is definitely a name brand we can tout,” he said. “It’s well-received in the community. It’s family-friendly. It’s bringing the right demographic. And it’s a demographic that really everybody is looking to capture.”

Why This Atlanta Shopping Center Landlord Loves Big Blue Swim School as a Tenant 

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Commercial property owners say the brand is filling vacancies and driving desirable traffic. 

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Fresh Coat

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Beyond a Med Spa, New U Is a Women’s Health Solution

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Why New U Is Targeting Texas for Franchise Growth 

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Prince St. Pizza Partners With Dave’s Hot Chicken Franchisee for National Growth

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How much can franchisees make? It’s a question many prospective owners ask before investing in a franchise. While earnings tend to be driven by variables such as industry, location and general management skills, a proper understanding of the key factors driving profitability can help franchise owners develop expectations that are realistic.&nbsp;Multi-unit franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mangesh-patel-9368569/">Mangesh Patel</a>, who’s readying the launch of six&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/">Beef ‘O’ Brady’s</a> restaurant locations in the Macon, Georgia area, shares insights from his franchising experience.<h2>Understanding Franchise Income</h2>Keeping operational costs in check can have a major impact on overall earnings. Taking a proactive approach to expenses such as food and labor, as well as payroll and scheduling, can help align actual franchise income with general expectations for the business.“I just had a meeting with a couple of people, and they said, ‘You talked about a 25% profit margin, but I’m only doing 12%.’ So, I looked at the figures they sent me,” Patel said. “Their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/calculate-restaurant-franchise-profit-2730476">restaurant</a> food cost was running at 37%, which should be around 30%. The national average is about 32%. If I do things correctly, my average food cost needs to be at or below 30%. And payroll should run around 18%. But many people run 25 to 28%.”So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unraveling-franchise-earnings-how-much-can-you-really-make-2723935">how much can franchisees make</a>? Here are five areas to consider.<h2>Practical Tips for Prospective Franchisees</h2><ol><li>Control Costs From Day One:&nbsp;It’s important to monitor payroll, food and supply costs closely. Overstaffing and inefficiencies can quickly reduce profits.</li><li>Plan For The Opening Surge:&nbsp;Traffic within the first few months of opening is likely to be higher. It’s important to adjust staffing and inventory accordingly, and pay close attention to how those levels change as time goes on.</li><li>Invest In Training:&nbsp;Properly trained workers can help reduce waste and improve overall service, which has a direct effect on net income.</li><li>Understand Your Market:&nbsp;Each market is unique and revenue potential will vary depending upon location, demographics and competition.</li><li>Track Metrics Regularly:&nbsp;Food cost percentages, labor ratios and weekly sales data act as key indicators operations may need to be adjusted.</li></ol><h2>What Profitability Really Comes Down To</h2>Patel notes that if franchise owners manage labor and costs properly, it’s not impossible to achieve strong cash flow even in the first year, bucking some franchising trends.So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-can-you-make-as-a-franchise-owner-2724761">how much can franchisees make</a>? While results tend to vary, careful planning, disciplined operations and a proactive approach to assessing initial costs are essential. But by grasping and guiding the elements that drive franchise profitability, franchise owners can maximize overall business earnings, scaling a business that’s sustainable financially over the long term.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How much can franchisees make? This guide explains what drives franchise earnings and how to manage costs, with expert tips from multi-unit owner Mangesh Patel on maximizing your franchise income.

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Building&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-do-you-build-a-franchise-business-plan-2717037">a business plan</a> is a crucial operational step for any entrepreneur. But how do I build a business plan for a franchise that complements the franchisor’s system while addressing the unique needs of a given location? In this guide with expert tips, you’ll learn how to craft a thoughtful, actionable franchise business plan.<h2>Start With The Franchisor’s System In Mind</h2>So, how do I build a business plan for a franchise? Well, avoiding repetition is a good start.“You specifically don’t want to duplicate what your franchisor is doing,” said long-time multi-unit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.solafranchising.com/">Sola Salons</a> franchise owner,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/haynes-chidsey-6a36a06/">Haynes Chidsey</a>. “There’s a reason why you join a franchise system and why you pay the fees and costs associated with it.”A strong franchise business plan should take advantage of the resources, marketing and operational systems that the franchisor provides (while utilizing daily experiences at the local level to help fine-tune what matters locally).<h2>Focus On Local Priorities</h2>A franchise business plan should be&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/how-to-build-a-strong-franchise-brand-presence-in-your-local-community-2729771">locally focused</a>. It should reflect the unique characteristics and needs of each local market. It’s essential to identify opportunities to attract local customers, build relationships within the community at the local level and tailor services to the regional preferences required by each market.“Be complementary to what your system provides,” said Chidsey. “Stay locally focused. That’s what I would say is key. Avoid mistakes by focusing on the magic.”<h2>Practical Steps For Building Your Plan</h2><ol><li>Assess Both Market And Competition – Build a thorough understanding of local demand, competitors and potential customer base. This will lead to more informed projections. &nbsp;</li><li>Define Financial Goals – Include startup costs, ongoing fees and revenue expectations in the business plan. Staffing, rent, marketing and working capital should all be factored in. &nbsp;</li><li>Leverage Franchisor Resources – Incorporate the systems, training and support offered by the franchisor (instead of reinventing processes). &nbsp;</li><li>Set Operational Priorities – Decide which areas require hands-on local management (as opposed to areas guided by the franchisor). Focus energy where it’s most impactful. &nbsp;</li><li>Review And Adjust – A business plan shouldn’t be static. So, track performance, adjust strategies and refine priorities as the franchised business scales.</li></ol><h2>The Takeaway</h2><a href="https://1851franchise.com/chapter-3-developing-a-franchise-business-plan-2722586">Creating a franchise business plan</a> is about balance. With a clear plan that integrates franchisor resources and local insight, franchisees can confidently move forward, knowing their businesses are structured to thrive. Leveraging a proven franchisor system to make smart, locally relevant decisions is key. By slowing down to go fast, and catering to the local trends or demands unique to each market, zees can more effectively build a roadmap and franchise business plan capable of delivering long-term success.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How do I build a business plan for a franchise?

How do I build a business plan for a franchise? In this guide with expert tips, learn how to build a plan that leverages franchisor resources, focuses on local priorities and brings long-term success.

Why This Atlanta Shopping Center Landlord Loves Big Blue Swim School as a Tenant

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