1851

Community engagement is vital for franchise success. Establishing genuine connections with local communities not only fosters brand loyalty but also drives organic growth through word-of-mouth marketing.&nbsp;Here’s a closer look at some effective strategies that franchise owners can use to not only build community connections, but parlay them into success for their business.<h3>Why Community Engagement is Important in Franchising&nbsp;</h3>“Being involved in our communities shows that we care about more than the transaction, we also invest in relationships,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cliff-kennedy-70831465/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-leverage-community-connections-for-franchise-success-2725294" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Cliff Kennedy</a>, CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://friosfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-to-leverage-community-connections-for-franchise-success-2725294" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Frios Gourmet Pops</a>. “It is like the secret ingredients in our pops — it’s what sets us apart and keeps our customers coming back over and over.”&nbsp;Kennedy added that, while each franchise location is part of a larger brand, they must resonate with the local communities in which they operate. Being engaged can help franchisees adapt to their individual community’s preferences — to know what their customers are looking for and to be able to adapt their messages accordingly. When customers start to notice this, they get the word out there.&nbsp;“Engaging with the community turns our customers into ambassadors for the Frios brand,” Kennedy said. “They tell friends about their great experience, those friends tell other friends. This organic buzz is marketing gold — and it’s free!Additionally, by supporting local causes and events, a franchisee actively demonstrates a commitment to growing the community they live in. The community will respond and help them grow their business in return.&nbsp;<h3>Leveraging Community Connections to Enhance Engagement</h3>There are several ways franchise owners can actively engage with their communities. Philanthropy work, for example, is one way to do so.&nbsp;“At Frios we partner with local nonprofits and schools to offer giveback and fundraising opportunities,” said Kennedy. “We will sell pops and offer a portion of the proceeds back to specific groups. This not only generates goodwill, but it opens the doors to new events and partnership opportunities.”&nbsp;Kennedy added that Frios also tailors the experiences to the group they are working with to make things feel more personal. For example, if they work with a school, Frios may temporarily “rename” one of its pop flavors to match the school mascot.&nbsp;&nbsp;Social media is another great tool for getting involved with the community. Kennedy noted that Frios franchisees are trained to engage with local pages and groups online. This allows them to get to know what their customers want and identify missed opportunities.&nbsp;Franchise owners can also engage with their local chambers of commerce to connect with other businesses in the community. Building these relationships may be beneficial for partnerships down the road.&nbsp;<h3>Building Sincere Community Ties</h3>When getting involved in the community, it is important that franchisees do so in an authentic way. Today, people want to build sincere relationships and can often sniff out phony connections. Rather than casting a wide net over the whole community, franchise owners can avoid spreading their efforts too thin by focusing on select areas.&nbsp;“One piece of advice I always give our franchisees is to find something they are passionate about in their community and focus on that,” said Kennedy. “With a business like ours we are always asked for donations and it can be tempting to donate yourself to death. It’s hard to say no to a good cause. We like to focus on one or two major causes that we give back to on a regular basis.”Kennedy added that choosing something personal allows franchises to be authentic in their philanthropy. When additional opportunities arise, he encourages franchisees to be honest about their giving capabilities, but also offer alternatives, like fundraisers.By integrating into their communities in a sincere way, franchise owners can build lasting relationships, foster brand loyalty and position themselves as integral parts of the local fabric.&nbsp;&nbsp;To learn more, check out these related articles:&nbsp;<ul><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-top-50-franchise-brands-that-give-back-to-their-communities-2720492#stories">The Top 50 Franchise Brands That Give Back to Their Communities</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-franchise-force-for-good-how-top-brands-like-dunkin-are-giving-back-2721139">How Top Brands like Dunkin' are Giving Back</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-a-franchisor-can-cultivate-a-strong-franchise-community-2722789#most-recent-stories">How a Franchisor Can Cultivate a Strong Franchise Community</a></li></ul>

How to Leverage Community Connections for Franchise Success

How Franchisees Can Leverage Community Connections for Success

1851 Franchise

In franchising, community engagement isn't just an optional add-on; it's a crucial ingredient for success.

how-to-leverage-community-connections-for-franchise-success

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue Featured in USA Today as Key Player in Helping Seniors Age Safely at Home

trublue-featured-in-usa-today-as-key-player-in-helping-seniors-age-safely-at-home

Right at Home

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth, Tech Advancements, and Strong System Engagement in First Half of 2025

right-at-home-franchise-growth-2025

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

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

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

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

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

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

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

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

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

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

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

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photos of Danielle Rosemond & Usman Khan & TruBlue logo

Family Members of Local Physicians Bring TruBlue Franchise to North Central Nassau, Long Island: A Health Care-Inspired Approach to Aging in Place

family-brings-trublue-franchise-to-north-central-nassau

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

How to Leverage Community Connections for Franchise Success

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS