Footprints Floors Pivots Business Operations and Remains a Lucrative Franchise Opportunity Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

Flooring company Footprints Floors was founded in 2008 with the goal of providing an elevated and sophisticated customer service experience, even in the middle of an economic recession. 

The brand succeeded. Today, Footprints Floors specializes in installing hardwood floors, carpet, tile, backsplashes and laminates in more than 30 locations across the United States. The company prides itself on treating customers like family and providing a personal level connection. This same level of courtesy and strong support extends to the Footprints Floors franchise system. 

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Footprints Floors remains an essential business and a robust franchise opportunity thanks to services such as virtual estimates, significant customer discounts and a low-cost franchise business model. 

CEO Bryan Park noted that while business has changed dramatically in recent weeks, Footprints Floors has not had any layoffs or cut pay. Franchise owners are still offering the full range of services. 

One way the brand has pivoted is by offering virtual estimates. Thanks to smartphone technology, Footprints Floors can work virtually with customers and give them estimates on how much it will cost to repair their floors. 

“At Footprints Floors, we realized that customers would object to having extra people in their homes,” Park said. “We need to see what the project is and what the customer wants to do — and of course we need measurements — and virtual estimating satisfies all of that over Facetime, Zoom and more. Customers can show us what kind of flooring they have and we can provide a very accurate estimate. Many customers are taking us up on this.” 

Since the COVID-19 outbreak currently does not have a definite end date, Footprints Floors is taking great measures to make sure business is lined up for when it’s all over. 

“Giving an estimate and just sitting on it for three months doesn’t work for customers, and it doesn’t work for us, either,” Park said. “We’ve overcome this obstacle by offering significant discounts for anyone who’s able to put a deposit down for future work, even if it’s as far out as July. That way, we keep getting deposits and making sales and getting cash flow to keep payroll going.” 

Amid all of the chaos, Footprints Floors remains optimistic. After all, it was founded during the Great Recession and the business model was structured in a way that would mean fewer fees for franchise owners. 

“As franchise models go, we could not be better built for this crisis,” Park said. “We don’t have any overhead. Franchise owners are not required to have staff or buildings or inventory. Their major expenses are attached to doing jobs, and they are not paying a subcontractor or a crew unless they have a project. Even marketing is all pay per lead, so if there are no leads coming in then there’s no money being spent.” 

Any contractors entering customer homes right now are following the appropriate health guidelines. They follow social distancing rules and wear masks and gloves, and the number of people entering customer homes is kept to a minimum. Park’s wife even made cloth masks for field managers and sales managers, and the business purchased face masks for crew members. 

Park noted that this is an excellent time for customers to work on their homes. 

“Prices are at an all-time low and schedules are open, so we can make estimates at whatever time the customer wants,” Park said. “The best crews are on standby and eager to get back to work, and our franchisees are all smiles because they don’t have to worry about the bills that concern brick-and-mortar businesses. We’re prepared, and it won’t be hard for us to ramp up business again.” 

By pivoting operations, offering enticing customer deals and following health guidelines, Footprints Floors proves why it is a consumer brand and a franchise opportunity with long-term staying power. 

To learn more about franchising with Footprints Floors, visit https://footprintsfranchise.com/.