In the fast-paced world of franchising, building meaningful connections and securing the right franchise partners can be a daunting task. For Samir Wattar, chief operating officer of Layne’s Chicken Fingers, navigating franchise growth meant finding a strategic partner who truly understood the challenges franchisors face. That’s where Mainland and 1851 Franchise came in. With a proven track record of supporting brands through innovative PR and franchise development strategies, 1851 Franchise has been a crucial asset to Wattar’s growth strategy.

The Challenges of Franchise Growth

Wattar has been in the franchising industry for years, and like many franchisors, he has faced his share of obstacles when it comes to expansion. 

“The challenges with franchising are mainly about creating that relationship with potential franchisees,” Wattar said. “First, you have to get leads, and then you have to build trust with franchisees. Too often, some franchisors are just in the business of selling franchises without thinking about the long-term success of their franchise partners.”

Understanding the importance of fostering real relationships with franchisees, Wattar knew he needed a PR and marketing partner who could help him create connections beyond just selling franchises. That’s when he turned to 1851 Franchise.

Why 1851 Franchise?

For Wattar, the decision to work with 1851 Franchise was rooted in trust and experience. “I’ve worked with 1851 Franchise across three different concepts, and they’ve always been there for us,” he said. “We’re not experts in PR and lead generation — we’re in the business of opening successful restaurants. So we rely on them to help us create leads, listen to what they’re offering and learn from what other franchisors are doing.”

When asked what sets 1851 Franchise apart from other vendors, Wattar doesn’t hesitate. “Because of the relationship I’ve built with 1851 Franchise and their team, I don’t even care to know what others have to offer,” he said. “They’ve been there for me through thick and thin. When things are tough, they help me out of it. When things are going well, they help me celebrate. That kind of support is invaluable.”

The Power of a Strong Partnership

One of the standout aspects of working with 1851 Franchise, according to Wattar, is the strategic approach they take to franchise development. Rather than simply generating leads, they help franchisors think critically about their goals and how to achieve them.

“The biggest thing for me is coming up with ideas,” Wattar said. “For example, when we set goals for Layne’s Chicken Fingers for 2025, I met with the team at 1851 Franchise — [Chief Growth Officer] Nick [Powills] and [Senior Vice President] Lauren [Turner] — and I told them what we were looking to achieve. Immediately, they started bringing me ideas. They helped me evaluate which ideas would work, which ones might not be right for us and how we could best execute our strategy.”

This level of collaboration allows Wattar to focus on what he does best — growing and supporting a successful restaurant brand — while 1851 Franchise takes care of the content marketing and lead generation that fuels that growth.

Why Relationship-Driven PR Matters

In an industry filled with generic PR firms that rely on cookie-cutter strategies, 1851 Franchise stands out because of its relationship-driven approach. Wattar emphasizes that in business, strong relationships are everything. 

“People contact me all the time trying to sell me something, but after being in business for so long, I know that the most important thing is trust,” he said. “Once you have that relationship and you know you’re in it to support each other, why look anywhere else?”

This philosophy aligns perfectly with 1851 Franchise’s approach to content marketing. As part of Mainland, 1851 Franchise is built on the idea that franchise brands don’t sell themselves — people do. Their focus on storytelling and franchisee success ensures that potential investors see real, relatable examples of people thriving within a franchise system.

A Testament to 1851 Franchise’s Impact

Looking ahead, Wattar remains committed to working with 1851 Franchise to continue driving Layne’s Chicken Fingers forward. With their strategic insights, media connections, and commitment to building strong relationships, 1851 Franchise has proven to be more than just a PR firm—they’re a true partner in success.

“1851 Franchise has played a crucial role in helping us hit our franchise growth goals,” Wattar said. “They listen, they innovate and most importantly, they care about our success. I couldn’t ask for a better team to work with.”

For more information, visit: https://1851franchise.com/mainland.