The 8 | June 22, 2018

1. Frantastic: In order for brands to be Frantastic in their segments, they need to leverage the right technology. And because franchise brands are so focused on their growth and development efforts, consumer-facing technology trends have the potential to be overlooked. That’s why 1851 rounded up the consumer facing tech trends that can’t be ignored, from artificial intelligence and chatbots to virtual reality.

2. Franlebrity: Continuing with our theme of highlighting 1851’s Franchise Development Website Guide, Checkers*-Rally-s" target="_blank">this week’s Franlebrity is Ursula Lane. Checkers & Rally’s senior manager of franchise recruitment breaks down the most important KPIs surrounding franchise development websites, with the conversion rate of new leads being first. Lane also lists traffic and engagement as other important indicators of a site’s success.

3. Frash Money: We’ve said it before on “The 8” and we’ll say it again — brands can make Frash Money when they tap into what customers are looking for. In the restaurant industry, that means to-go, delivery and catering services. Red Robin is proving this to be true with its Q1 results. Despite its overall results being “a mixed bag” according to CEO Denny Marie Post, the brand saw to-go and catering sales climb 40 percent compared to the same quarter last year.

4. Frant of the Week: It’s not uncommon for people to create greatness once. What’s rare, however, is creating greatness twice. That’s why No Limit Agency* CEO Nick Powills believes that in order to be great, you must be consistent. In his latest Frant, Powills explains how legends like Michael Jordan, Steve Jobs and Walt Disney all experienced success by building on the framework they already established. Check out the full column on 1851 to learn how that lesson then parlays into business.

5. Franch Forward: McDonald’s might be on the verge of Franching Forward in an unexpected country — North Korea. The Washington Post recently called out a detail in a CIA intelligence report that says Kim Jong Un may allow a “Western hamburger franchise” into the country. While McDonald’s isn’t mentioned specifically, a South Korean advisor said that North Korea may be open to welcoming the brand in the near future.

6. Fran Funny: Is it going to be huge or is it going to be venti? You need to watch this week’s edition of “The 8” to find out — and to get this week’s Fran Funny.

7. Franspiration: “As a business owner, it was nice to see ‘the other side of the counter.’ It’s great to try to sell me on what the back office looks like, but it’s important to see what parents see, because it’s our job to maintain that quality.” - Primrose Schools franchisee Myehla Reneau on what stood out the most on the brand’s franchise development website when first inquiring.

8. Franemies vs. Frands: Everyone reading or watching this week’s edition of “The 8” should know this, but mobile is your Frand that matters! Every sector of the franchise industry needs to be stepping up its game when it comes to mobile technology, which means brands need to give consumers — and prospective franchisees — access to functional mobile platforms that are designed to be frustration-proof.