In the franchised home care world, success tends to arrive quietly. Not with a ribbon-cutting or a fancy grand opening, but with a single heartfelt phone call from a family in need. For Comfort Keepers® franchise owners at the local level, sparking the initial momentum necessary to build a sustainable business is where the franchisor’s Field Support Team becomes essential.
“Success is when the franchisee can start serving new clients in their community,” said Vice President of Operations Chris Tepe. “The Field Support Team is key to that because they can take the new franchisee out into their community and guide them on marketing and sales calls to try to get those critical first calls from people that need our help.”
The Field Support Team plays a pivotal role for Comfort Keepers, supporting new franchise owners as they begin to navigate early challenges. The support of a strong system is a franchising hallmark. Comfort Keepers’ approach involves active guidance from the start, with the franchisor helping franchisees become more engaged at the local level by helping with initial sales calls in an effort to build a critical initial clientele.
Such a hands-on approach stands out, and it’s informed by Tepe’s personal journey with Comfort Keepers, with the company making a concerted effort to develop an understanding of the franchisee experience to provide the highest level of support as possible.
“I was a Field Support Specialist when I joined the company 13 years ago. I had no home care experience. That opened my eyes to the fact that I really did not understand the daily processes of our franchisees until I had to live them,” Tepe said. “I realized there was a knowledge gap in our support team and made a conscious decision that anyone who was going to directly support our franchisees would have to have lived in their shoes, not just spend some time in their offices.”
Such a strong operational background informs how the team approaches franchisees as well as the way support is delivered to franchise owners. Engaging extensively with franchisees, Comfort Keepers addresses everyday operational challenges in areas like caregiver retention, leadership development and overall office efficiency.
Through its unique use of data and real-world experience, Comfort Keepers is able to help local franchisees build actionable strategies that can address most operational issues, which has reduced client turnover while specifically identifying fixable inefficiencies.
Consistency is another franchising hallmark. It’s also a concept that drives the relationships forged between franchise owners and the Comfort Keepers Field Support Team, dependable relationships built over time as opposed to occasional visits. Regularly scheduled weekly or biweekly virtual check-ins create consistency, ensuring that in-person visits become even more efficient problem-solving moments, building trust during franchising process.
“I believe that the credibility and respect from the support team resonate strongly with the franchise community,” Tepe said. “Because they clearly understand the difficulties and challenges, the franchisees can create a relationship with the Field Support Team that goes beyond just consulting.”
Listening to its franchise owners has become an effective tool for Comfort Keepers, one that helps them continually gauge the effectiveness of the support provided. Anonymous annual surveys, coupled with strong ongoing and open communication, allow franchisors to compile and assess feedback. That enables them to continually refine their general support approach. It’s the type of proactive responsiveness that reinforces a culture of collaborative improvement while properly aligning the support offered alongside the actual needs of franchisees.
At the heart of this model lies a leadership philosophy based on the concept of servant leadership. As Comfort Keepers continues to grow, the Field Support Team will remain an integral part of the franchisor’s uniquely supported franchise model.
“If the field team cannot serve our franchisees in whatever way they have a need, then how would we expect those franchisees to serve all the different needs of our clients?” Tepe said. “When we can bring insight or a different perspective to our franchisees to help solve a problem, then we are living our mission to serve others and elevate the human spirit.”
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/comfort-keepers.
About Comfort Keepers®
For over 25 years, Comfort Keepers® has been Elevating the Human SpiritSM through its in-home care network for seniors and other adults by empowering them to maintain their independence and realize joy in the everyday moments. Comfort Keepers operates a franchise network that has grown to more than 600 locations in the U.S. and Canada, serving hundreds of thousands of clients since 1998. The company’s nationwide network employs thousands of caregivers, also known as Comfort Keepers®, who deliver joy through interactive caregiving by continually communicating with, involving, and engaging with seniors in everyday tasks and activities. For more information, visit ComfortKeepers.com.
Comfort Keepers
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How firsthand operational experience across Comfort Keepers’ field support staff gives franchisees unmatched guidance, empathy and practical tools for success.
In the franchised home care world, success tends to arrive quietly. Not with a ribbon-cutting or a fancy grand opening, but with a single heartfelt phone call from a family in need. For Comfort Keepers® franchise owners at the local level, sparking the initial momentum necessary to build a sustainable business is where the franchisor’s Field Support Team becomes essential.
“Success is when the franchisee can start serving new clients in their community,” said Vice President of Operations Chris Tepe. “The Field Support Team is key to that because they can take the new franchisee out into their community and guide them on marketing and sales calls to try to get those critical first calls from people that need our help.”
The Field Support Team plays a pivotal role for Comfort Keepers, supporting new franchise owners as they begin to navigate early challenges. The support of a strong system is a franchising hallmark. Comfort Keepers’ approach involves active guidance from the start, with the franchisor helping franchisees become more engaged at the local level by helping with initial sales calls in an effort to build a critical initial clientele.
Such a hands-on approach stands out, and it’s informed by Tepe’s personal journey with Comfort Keepers, with the company making a concerted effort to develop an understanding of the franchisee experience to provide the highest level of support as possible.
“I was a Field Support Specialist when I joined the company 13 years ago. I had no home care experience. That opened my eyes to the fact that I really did not understand the daily processes of our franchisees until I had to live them,” Tepe said. “I realized there was a knowledge gap in our support team and made a conscious decision that anyone who was going to directly support our franchisees would have to have lived in their shoes, not just spend some time in their offices.”
Such a strong operational background informs how the team approaches franchisees as well as the way support is delivered to franchise owners. Engaging extensively with franchisees, Comfort Keepers addresses everyday operational challenges in areas like caregiver retention, leadership development and overall office efficiency.
Through its unique use of data and real-world experience, Comfort Keepers is able to help local franchisees build actionable strategies that can address most operational issues, which has reduced client turnover while specifically identifying fixable inefficiencies.
Consistency is another franchising hallmark. It’s also a concept that drives the relationships forged between franchise owners and the Comfort Keepers Field Support Team, dependable relationships built over time as opposed to occasional visits. Regularly scheduled weekly or biweekly virtual check-ins create consistency, ensuring that in-person visits become even more efficient problem-solving moments, building trust during franchising process.
“I believe that the credibility and respect from the support team resonate strongly with the franchise community,” Tepe said. “Because they clearly understand the difficulties and challenges, the franchisees can create a relationship with the Field Support Team that goes beyond just consulting.”
Listening to its franchise owners has become an effective tool for Comfort Keepers, one that helps them continually gauge the effectiveness of the support provided. Anonymous annual surveys, coupled with strong ongoing and open communication, allow franchisors to compile and assess feedback. That enables them to continually refine their general support approach. It’s the type of proactive responsiveness that reinforces a culture of collaborative improvement while properly aligning the support offered alongside the actual needs of franchisees.
At the heart of this model lies a leadership philosophy based on the concept of servant leadership. As Comfort Keepers continues to grow, the Field Support Team will remain an integral part of the franchisor’s uniquely supported franchise model.
“If the field team cannot serve our franchisees in whatever way they have a need, then how would we expect those franchisees to serve all the different needs of our clients?” Tepe said. “When we can bring insight or a different perspective to our franchisees to help solve a problem, then we are living our mission to serve others and elevate the human spirit.”
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/comfort-keepers.
About Comfort Keepers®
For over 25 years, Comfort Keepers® has been Elevating the Human SpiritSM through its in-home care network for seniors and other adults by empowering them to maintain their independence and realize joy in the everyday moments. Comfort Keepers operates a franchise network that has grown to more than 600 locations in the U.S. and Canada, serving hundreds of thousands of clients since 1998. The company’s nationwide network employs thousands of caregivers, also known as Comfort Keepers®, who deliver joy through interactive caregiving by continually communicating with, involving, and engaging with seniors in everyday tasks and activities. For more information, visit ComfortKeepers.com.
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