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.&nbsp;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=coronavirus-and-franchising-brenda-febbo-of-lightbridge-academy-and-michael-wagner-of-pool-scouts-2712727" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Internicola Law Firm</a>, are covering the coronavirus and its impact on the franchising industry through a <a href="https://mbf6e734.clickfunnels.com/webinar-registration1584137477175?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=coronavirus-and-franchising-brenda-febbo-of-lightbridge-academy-and-michael-wagner-of-pool-scouts-2712727" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">webinar series titled “Coronavirus and Franchising: Mindset + Strategy to Recover and Grow.”</a>In today’s morning webinar, Powills and Internicola spoke with Brenda Febbo, Chief Marketing Officer for <a href="https://lightbridgeacademyfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=coronavirus-and-franchising-brenda-febbo-of-lightbridge-academy-and-michael-wagner-of-pool-scouts-2712727" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lightbridge Academy*</a>, and Michael Wagner, President of <a href="https://poolscoutsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=coronavirus-and-franchising-brenda-febbo-of-lightbridge-academy-and-michael-wagner-of-pool-scouts-2712727" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pool Scouts*</a>, about how the franchising industry is responding to the crisis.Here are some of the key insights from their discussion.<h4>Looking Past the Crisis&nbsp;</h4>How people are responding to this pandemic depends on their unique circumstances, and there is no one way that brands have reacted. That makes looking to the industry for guidance difficult. Brands should envision what business will look like on the other side of this crisis.&nbsp;There will be tremendous opportunities for brands that are actively engaging with their consumers during this period. It’s not about having a transactional relationship. It’s about a value-added relationship. Those businesses that successfully add value on a human level will be left standing.&nbsp;<h4>Caring for Employees&nbsp;&nbsp;</h4>Franchisors need to be flexible with their franchisees, listen to them and continue to provide quality service. Brands need to care for employees across the system and provide them with protective equipment when applicable.&nbsp;Franchisors need to institute regular messaging with franchisees that includes listening to franchisee feedback and requests. Brands can hold town hall meetings to debrief franchisees and listen to their ideas and concerns.<h4>Keeping Customers in Mind</h4>Franchisors must think about how best to continue their relationships with existing customers and also how to build relationships with new ones. Even if those relationships don’t immediately translate to robust revenue streams, they will pay off when this crisis is behind us.&nbsp;<h4>Leveraging Leadership&nbsp;</h4>Everyone is affected by this issue. This is an opportunity to lead, pour positivity into the situation and support the most vulnerable among us. It’s important to focus on what’s needed and how people can be helped. When brands focus on the needs of their stakeholders, they are focusing on the long-term viability of their businesses. Being a leader is not just about reveling in the good times, it’s also about finding solutions in the bad times. Leaders do not get the option of tapping out at this difficult time. Franchisees are relying on franchisors more than ever.<h4>Celebrating Successes</h4>Brands should make sure to continue celebrating successes, such as when franchisees get several new customers or a positive online review. There are incredible examples of people giving back right now, and those moments should be shared and underlined.&nbsp;<h4>Attracting Tomorrow’s Franchisees</h4>Prospective franchisees are watching. They will want to know how brands are navigating this crisis and how they are helping their franchisees. Leadership needs to demonstrate that they care about franchisees and truly walk the walk. Something as simple as texting franchisees can go a long way in maintaining those long-term relationships. Part of this story will be how franchisors honored their relationships with franchisees.&nbsp;<h4>Providing the Right Environment</h4>Brands must keep business viable now in order to bring people back later. Give franchisees the tools for success.&nbsp;The company culture should encourage franchisees to feel comfortable being vulnerable and asking for help. This is why having a good culture from the beginning is important. Brands cannot just come up with core values right now. If you were not doing the right things to begin with, it will be hard to pivot to a good place.

Coronavirus and Franchising: Brenda Febbo of Lightbridge Academy and Michael Wagner of Pool Scouts 

1851 Franchise

Nick Powills and Charles Internicola are joined by Pool Scouts President Michael Wagner and Lightbridge Academy Chief Marketing Officer Brenda Febbo to discuss how the franchise industry is tackling the issues brought on by COVID-19.

coronavirus-and-franchising-brenda-febbo-of-lightbridge-academy-and-michael-wagner-of-pool-scouts

SweatHouz

SweatHouz SWTHZ Franchise - Hunter and Mallory Mitchem - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

From Aerospace to Wellness: Hunter Mitchem’s Journey to a SweatHouz Empire

sweathouz-franchise-hunter-mitchem-6g

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Onigilly - Low Operating Costs Drive High Returns for Franchisees - 1851 Franchise

Maximize Your ROI: How Onigilly’s Low Operating Costs Drive High Returns for Franchisees

onigilly-franchise-fast-casual-franchise-opportunity

Layne's Chicken Fingers

What Is the Layne’s Franchise Disclosure Document, and What Will I Find in It?

laynes-franchise-disclosure-document

Athletech News: How SWTHZ Delivers on Wellness Demands of All Kinds

swthz-delivers-wellness-demands-contrast-therapy

TruBlue Home Service Ally

Why Protected Territories Matter and How the TruBlue Franchise Delivers

why-protected-territories-matter-and-how-the-trublue-franchise-delivers

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

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

Subway Franchisees Resist Expensive Remodel Directives

subway-franchisees-resist-expensive-remodel-directives

The American Franchise Act: What It Means for Franchisors and Franchisees - 1851 Franchise

The American Franchise Act: What It Means for Franchisors and Franchisees

american-franchise-act-joint-employer-standard

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

How Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop Has Expanded Into One of the Restaurant Industry’s Most Exciting Franchise Opportunities

meet-the-franchisor-capriottis-david-bloom

Top Education Franchises To Consider for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Education Franchises To Consider Investing In for 2025

top-education-franchises-investment-opportunities

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

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Top Enrichment and Supplemental Education Franchises for 2025

top-enrichment-supplemental-education-franchises

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025

early-childhood-education-child-care-franchises

Top Arts and Creative Learning Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Arts and Creative Learning Franchises for 2025

top-arts-creative-learning-franchises

1851 Franchisee Spotlight with photo of Mike Rippey and Sola Salons logo

How This Former Franchisor Is Using His Industry Experience To Help Beauty Pros Thrive With Sola Salons Franchise

mike-rippey-sola-salons-franchisee

Coronavirus and Franchising: Brenda Febbo of Lightbridge Academy and Michael Wagner of Pool Scouts

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS