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

Layne's Chicken Fingers

image of laynes chicken finger restaurant with 4 hands holding cups in the air to celebrate 

 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Crosses Mid-Year Mark With 11 New Restaurants Opened, Including the First Time the Brand has Seen Two Openings on the Same Day on July 14

laynes-chicken-franchise-growth-2025

HomeTeam Inspection Service

image of an employee from home team checking an outlet with an ipad

HomeTeam Inspection Service Franchise Owners Diversify Income With Multi-Service Model

hometeam-inspection-service-revenue-streams

Right at Home

image of jennifer selden right at home franchisee for a webinar with nick powills

Right at Home Franchise Owner Jennifer Selden To Share Franchise Journey, Sparked by Personal Care Experiences

jennifer-selden-right-at-home-franchise-journey-webinar

Paris Baguette Canada

image of a paris baguette bakery cafe latte with delicious food, croissants, and pastries

What Paris Baguette Franchisees Have To Say About Their Experiences

paris-baguette-franchise-canada-eric-chang

image of right at home franchisee gregory brewer for a webinar with nick powills

Gregory Brewer To Share 20-Year Franchise Journey With Right at Home in Upcoming Webinar

gregory-brewer-right-at-home-franchise-winston-salem-webinar

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

AI Is Reshaping Franchising: $100 Billion Valuations and Hyper-Localized Advertising

ai-is-reshaping-franchising-100-billion-valuations-and-hyper-localized-advertising

Mega Franchisee Sizzling Platter Acquired by Bain Capital

mega-franchisee-sizzling-platter-acquired-by-bain-capital

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jollibee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

Picture of kids for franchise business Kidstrong which focuses on child development and fitness

KidStrong Is Pediatrician-Recommended for Raising Confident, Capable Kids and Families Can't Get Enough

kidstrong-child-development-program

Image of a kid growing up, developing with kidstrong, high fiving and smiling. 

How KidStrong has Become the Franchise Disrupting Child Development by Partnering with Purpose-Driven Franchise Owners 

kidstrong-franchise-opportunity-child-development

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Blending Tech, Hospitality and Health Care: How Three Women From Different Worlds Came Together to Build a Paris Baguette Franchise

paris-baguette-franchise-flower-mound-texas

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Sola Salons Franchisee Grows Salon Freedom Into a Multi-State Powerhouse 

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

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS