1851

Amid the fallout from the coronavirus crisis, brands across all industries are being forced to adapt to an unprecedented situation, leaving some business owners feeling uncertain about the future. As a result, the value of a franchise system is becoming more and more apparent as franchisors offer industry-leading support and franchisees come together to share best practices and provide a shoulder to lean on.&nbsp;“Communication” has undoubtedly become the key word for many franchise brands. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, franchisors across all segments have prioritized open lines of communication between franchisees and the leadership team to ensure that everyone is on the same page.&nbsp;“There are so many resources available right now, which allows our franchisees the opportunity to stay ahead of the game,” said Danessa Itaya, brand president of <a href="https://www.propertymanagementinc.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-brands-are-bringing-franchisees-closer-together-despite-social-distancing-2713019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Property Management Inc</a>. With a wide array of support options for small business owners, including <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP--Fact-Sheet.pdf?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-brands-are-bringing-franchisees-closer-together-despite-social-distancing-2713019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">PPP loans</a>, <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3548/text?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-brands-are-bringing-franchisees-closer-together-despite-social-distancing-2713019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">the CARES Act </a>and <a href="https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-brands-are-bringing-franchisees-closer-together-despite-social-distancing-2713019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">SBA loans</a>, franchisors have worked hard to educate franchisees through frequent webinars, virtual town halls and updates.Mark de Gorter, COO of the fitness franchise <a href="https://workoutanytime.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-brands-are-bringing-franchisees-closer-together-despite-social-distancing-2713019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Workout Anytime</a>, sends out daily updates to the entire franchise system that are each filled with tools designed to help owners navigate all aspects of their business. “When it became clear that COVID-19 was going to impact our clubs for an extended period of time, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/workoutanytime/how-workout-anytime-franchisees-are-navigating-the-covid-19-crisis-2712862#franchisee">we did everything in our power to set our franchisees up for success</a>,” said de Gorter. “We made it our top priority to be an available resource for our franchise partners, regardless of what they need help with. At the end of the day, we’re only as successful as our ownership group, and we’re now preparing to help them reopen their clubs when it’s safe for everyone to return.”<a href="https://mysobol.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-brands-are-bringing-franchisees-closer-together-despite-social-distancing-2713019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">SoBol</a> Brand President Paul Gucciardo also points to communication as being the key to bringing franchisees closer together, whether it be through frequent emails, video conferences or phone calls. “We are coming up with new and exciting ways to improve promotions and operations but <a href="https://1851franchise.com/sobol/a-conversation-with-paul-gucciardo-and-angelina-perry-of-sobol-2712855#franchisor">communication is our number one priority</a>—we encourage our franchise system to reach out directly to us,” he said. “Our weekly updates have become so much more structured and have included so many more details. We have so many franchise owners that have truly reengaged with their stores due to the crisis. They're thinking in different, creative ways—they're appreciating our support and using these resources to their benefit.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.buffalowingsandrings.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-brands-are-bringing-franchisees-closer-together-despite-social-distancing-2713019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings</a> CEO, Nader Masadeh, notes that communication has grown “exponentially” as the leadership team steps in to support its franchise owners as they navigate the crisis. “I try to speak with at least a few franchisees every day whether that’s through a text, a call or an email just to see how they’re doing and to let them know that we’re here for them during this time,” he said.In addition to leadership support, franchisors are also implementing unique ways to bring franchisees closer together during this difficult time. “We have been highlighting franchisees that have been getting creative and fighting for their business, encouraging other franchisees to do the same, collaborate and communicate with one another,” said Gucciardo. “We have seen a positive result in terms of morale.”&nbsp;While establishing an association of franchisees as a formal conduit of information between a franchisor and their network has always been important in franchising, now, more than ever, this <a href="https://1851franchise.com/best-practices-for-creating-and-maintaining-a-franchise-marketing-advisory-council-11787#stories">franchise advisory council forum is essential</a>. These groups of franchisees serve as a resource for brands, bring franchise partners closer together and create a voice for owners within the system to ensure that their ideas, suggestions and concerns are heard.&nbsp;According to Justin Waltz, vice president of operations for <a href="https://www.bigblueswimschool.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-brands-are-bringing-franchisees-closer-together-despite-social-distancing-2713019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Big Blue Swim School</a>, right now is a crucial time to utilize the franchise advisory council. “If you don’t have a franchise advisory council or a coronavirus committee, I’d start one now so that franchisees are a part of the decision-making process,” he said.“Our franchise advisory council is very young — it’s a year and a half old,” said Itaya. “One of the things they want to help us with is coordinating national partners and vendors, and then communicating that to our network. They’re checking in with franchisees to see if there are any partnerships that are being used locally that could turn into bigger relationships to help generate referral and lead sources.”By creating a place for franchisees to have these types of collaborative conversations, share best business practices and create meaningful relationships, franchisors are positioning themselves for a stronger infrastructure in the future.&nbsp;“What we’ve seen is that there are varying levels of performance across the country. Some brands are slower to respond while there are others that are way ahead of this,” said Erik Herrmann, partner and head of <a href="http://www.capitalspring.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-brands-are-bringing-franchisees-closer-together-despite-social-distancing-2713019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CapitalSpring’s</a> restaurant investment group. “That’s the learning — responsiveness is different from concept to concept. It’s important to have tight alignment between franchisees and franchisors. That will determine how you optimize and survive on the other side of this thing.”

How Brands are Bringing Franchisees Closer Together Despite Social Distancing

1851 Franchise

Even at six feet apart, franchise networks are coming together during this trying time to help fuel success.

how-brands-are-bringing-franchisees-closer-together-despite-social-distancing

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Midyear Press Release 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Comfort Keepers® Hits Mid-Year Stride With Strong Franchise Growth and Rising Demand for In-Home Care

comfort-keepers-franchise-midyear-momentum-2025

petbar

petbar - Garrett Dewan - Why I'm Investing - 1851 Franchise

Why Garrett Dewan Is Choosing To Reinvest in petbar

petbar-franchise-austin-garrett-dewan-multi-unit

Paris Baguette

NJBIZ: Paris Baguette Ramps Up Expansion With New Franchises, Facility and 2030 Growth Target

njbiz-paris-baguette-ramps-up-expansion-with-new-franchises-facility-and-2030-growth-target

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Home Halo

home-halo-former-athletes-frachisees-image

Why Former College Athletes Can Make Winning Home Halo Franchise Owners

former-college-athletes-home-halo-franchise

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

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

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

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

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

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

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

Bringing Robots to Main Street: How Elad Inbar’s RobotLAB Franchise Is Powering the Local AI Revolution

bringing-robots-to-main-street-how-elad-inbars-robotlab-franchise-is-powering-the-local-ai-revolution

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

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

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

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

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

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

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

How Brands are Bringing Franchisees Closer Together Despite Social Distancing

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS