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<a href="https://www.proliftdoors.com/about-us/partnership/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=prolift-garage-doors-launches-ar-and-vr-powered-training-program-2718469" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">ProLift Garage Doors</a>, the 20-plus-unit franchise that performs repair, replacement and installation services of overhead garage doors for residential and commercial clients under multi-brand franchisor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.premiumservicebrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=prolift-garage-doors-launches-ar-and-vr-powered-training-program-2718469" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Premium Service Brands</a>, is rolling out an innovative training program across all of its concepts through a new partnership with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.virti.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=prolift-garage-doors-launches-ar-and-vr-powered-training-program-2718469" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Virti</a>, a U.K.-based startup that uses immersive AR/VR scenarios to teach hands-on soft skills in realistic settings.Last year, Premium Service Brand analyzed the actions and best practices of owners with exceptional launch results, to see what separated them from the pack. The company discovered that practice, communication skills and mindset played a significant role in positioning owners for successful launches and set out to revitalize the established Premium Service Brands onboarding program in an attempt to make the experience more impactful with the help of innovative technology.&nbsp;The industry-first project with Virti will help&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/proliftgaragedoors/the-great-franchisee-matt-robinson-prolift-garage-doors-kansas-city-mo-2718332#featured">ProLift Garage Door franchisees</a> hone their communication and sales skills in a zero-risk virtual environment. Incoming franchisees will be able to access the training on-demand no matter where they’re based.Virti was founded in 2018 by&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.alexanderfyoung.com/about/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=prolift-garage-doors-launches-ar-and-vr-powered-training-program-2718469" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dr. Alexander F. Young</a> as a way to expand a training platform he had created for those in the healthcare industry. As an orthopedic surgeon, Young had seen how difficult it was to learn soft skills like leadership and communication during his training period. After building a training platform that utilized tech like AI and virtual reality to engage learners through role-play scenarios and capture data on how they performed, Young decided it was time to offer the service to more sectors. Now, with the recent Premium Service Brands partnership, Young says Virti is thrilled to enter the franchising space for the first time.&nbsp;“PSB was our first franchise customer, so some of their needs in terms of training were different from clients we had worked with in the past,” said Young. “But when we were creating Virti, we made it in a way that allows for unique scenarios and an adaptable platform.”Premium Service Brands works with over 1,000 franchise businesses across the United States. The new VR training is part of Premium Service Brands’ efforts to upskill the franchisees in their network and support them to make their businesses a long-term commercial success.&nbsp;Previously, sales and communication training could only be accessed online or using written materials. Using the Virti platform, franchise business owners and their employees will be able to access an extensive library of specially-created VR training simulations, giving them realistic and interactive opportunities to practice their skills away from the field.“Our learning team was able to help guide PSB to take their in-person, scripted role-plays — which were expensive, difficult to scale and non-data driven — and turn that into virtual reality role-playing through video and animation, which could be accessed on-demand,” said Young.With the Virti platform, Young says ProLift Garage Door franchisees will also be able to better understand the lessons taught during the onboarding process and commit fully to the entire experience.“In addition to reducing cost and increasing accessibility, the virtual training scenario allows employees to practice in a safe space,” said Young. “Sometimes, when going through in-person, group role-playing, people may feel a little insecure and be unable to apply those skills. People’s brains don’t fit into those simulated real environments — they are aware they are in a group training space and don’t behave as they would when in real life on the field. Their emotional intelligence won’t develop as quickly. With AR and VR, it really tricks the learner’s brain into believing they are in that real-world situation.”&nbsp;Additionally, Young says the Virti platform provides clients like Premium Service Brands with the data they need to create the gold standard of training. “Normal, in-person training doesn’t offer that data-driven blueprint for making sure the training is even more successful next time,” said Young.&nbsp;Today,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pwc.com/seeingisbelieving?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=prolift-garage-doors-launches-ar-and-vr-powered-training-program-2718469" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">PwC reports</a> that VR and AR have the potential to add $1.5 trillion to the global economy by 2030. With this projection, Young says Premium Service Brands is well-aligned with where the industry is headed.&nbsp;“After the pandemic, people want something beyond the 2D Zoom environment, but something that is still safe,” he said. “This virtual training platform allows franchisees and franchisors to interact in a much more free-form and engaging way, which is why it is well-positioned for the future. It has been a pleasure to work with a company like Premium Service Brands. They identified a business need in which scalable training for franchisees was difficult, and it has been great working alongside them to help solve that problem and make the experience better for everyone involved.”Now, looking ahead to 2022, Premium Service Brands will continue to focus on leveraging the Virti training platform to ensure franchisees are best prepared to start the business off right. Additionally, ProLift Garage Doors aims to add 25 new owners to its franchise system in 2022.“There has never been a better time to partner with ProLift Garage Doors,” said CEO Paul Flick. “As we&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/proliftgaragedoors/how-premium-service-brands-aggressive-acquisition-strategy-will-position-prolift-garage-doors-franchisees-for-greater-success-2718001#featured">expand our portfolio</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/proliftgaragedoors/prolift-garage-doors-taps-into-virtual-reality-learning-with-new-owner-experience-program-2716652#featured">our training systems</a>, we are finding new ways to position our franchise owners for success and satisfy the needs of homeowners all over the country. With the Virti training platform in place, ProLift Garage Doors franchisees will be able to ramp up to opening faster and start their in-demand painting business off on the right foot.”For more information about franchising with ProLift Garage Doors, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.premiumservicebrands.com/prolift-garage-doors/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=prolift-garage-doors-launches-ar-and-vr-powered-training-program-2718469" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.premiumservicebrands.com/prolift-garage-doors/</a>

ProLift Garage Doors Launches AR and VR-Powered Training Program

1851 Franchise

The garage door repair franchise has partnered with training experts Virti, a U.K.-based startup that will use immersive AR/VR scenarios to help franchisees rapidly improve their communication and sales skills in a zero-risk virtual environment.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

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Woofie's

Woofie's Wraps Up 2025 With 25 Franchise Deals Signed, Expanding Into Major Metros Across the U.S.

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Your Pet’s Life Is Busy, Too. Woofie’s Makes Care Easy

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Woofie’s Is Building the Full-Service Pet Care Franchise for Modern Pet Parents and Authority Brands Is Accelerating the Momentum

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urSwim

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Why urSwim’s Swim Lesson Model Is Built to Withstand Economic Downturns

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America's Swimming Pool

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America’s Swimming Pool Company Celebrates Franchise Growth and Excellence at 2026 Owners Conference

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Why Skilled Trades Are Emerging as the Economy’s Most AI-Resilient Careers

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The Penny Shortage Is Creating a New Risk for QSR Franchise Systems - 1851 Franchise

The Penny Shortage Is Creating a New Risk for QSR Franchise Systems

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Large Domino’s Franchisee Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

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Design with Precision Garage Door Service team members

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Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: A fast-casual restaurant brand serving made-from-scratch sandwiches, salads, soups and pizzas rooted in Southern hospitality.


Newk’s Eatery Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

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Amada Senior Care Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Amada Senior Care is a non-medical home care, assisted living placement, and related senior-support services with multiple revenue streams.

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Visiting Angels Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Visiting Angels is a senior home care franchise focused on in-home support for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

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Sparkle Dog Care Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Sparkle Dog Care is a membership-based pet grooming franchise that blends wellness-focused hygiene services with small-box retail and community engagement.

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How much can franchisees make? It’s a question many prospective owners ask before investing in a franchise. While earnings tend to be driven by variables such as industry, location and general management skills, a proper understanding of the key factors driving profitability can help franchise owners develop expectations that are realistic.&nbsp;Multi-unit franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mangesh-patel-9368569/">Mangesh Patel</a>, who’s readying the launch of six&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/">Beef ‘O’ Brady’s</a> restaurant locations in the Macon, Georgia area, shares insights from his franchising experience.<h2>Understanding Franchise Income</h2>Keeping operational costs in check can have a major impact on overall earnings. Taking a proactive approach to expenses such as food and labor, as well as payroll and scheduling, can help align actual franchise income with general expectations for the business.“I just had a meeting with a couple of people, and they said, ‘You talked about a 25% profit margin, but I’m only doing 12%.’ So, I looked at the figures they sent me,” Patel said. “Their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/calculate-restaurant-franchise-profit-2730476">restaurant</a> food cost was running at 37%, which should be around 30%. The national average is about 32%. If I do things correctly, my average food cost needs to be at or below 30%. And payroll should run around 18%. But many people run 25 to 28%.”So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unraveling-franchise-earnings-how-much-can-you-really-make-2723935">how much can franchisees make</a>? Here are five areas to consider.<h2>Practical Tips for Prospective Franchisees</h2><ol><li>Control Costs From Day One:&nbsp;It’s important to monitor payroll, food and supply costs closely. Overstaffing and inefficiencies can quickly reduce profits.</li><li>Plan For The Opening Surge:&nbsp;Traffic within the first few months of opening is likely to be higher. It’s important to adjust staffing and inventory accordingly, and pay close attention to how those levels change as time goes on.</li><li>Invest In Training:&nbsp;Properly trained workers can help reduce waste and improve overall service, which has a direct effect on net income.</li><li>Understand Your Market:&nbsp;Each market is unique and revenue potential will vary depending upon location, demographics and competition.</li><li>Track Metrics Regularly:&nbsp;Food cost percentages, labor ratios and weekly sales data act as key indicators operations may need to be adjusted.</li></ol><h2>What Profitability Really Comes Down To</h2>Patel notes that if franchise owners manage labor and costs properly, it’s not impossible to achieve strong cash flow even in the first year, bucking some franchising trends.So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-can-you-make-as-a-franchise-owner-2724761">how much can franchisees make</a>? While results tend to vary, careful planning, disciplined operations and a proactive approach to assessing initial costs are essential. But by grasping and guiding the elements that drive franchise profitability, franchise owners can maximize overall business earnings, scaling a business that’s sustainable financially over the long term.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How much can franchisees make? This guide explains what drives franchise earnings and how to manage costs, with expert tips from multi-unit owner Mangesh Patel on maximizing your franchise income.

How Much Can Franchisees Make? A Guide for Prospective Franchise Owners

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<a href="https://hardeesfranchising.com/">Hardee’s</a>, a 65-year-old burger chain best known for its Thickburgers and breakfast biscuits, is facing a fast-moving round of closures driven by a franchise dispute rather than a bankruptcy filing.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inc.com/ava-levinson/hardees-shutting-dozens-restaurants/91282586">Inc. recently reported that</a> 77&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286">Hardee’s</a> restaurants are expected to close within two weeks as one of the brand’s largest franchisees exits the system.&nbsp;According to the report, Hardee’s is suing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arcburger.com/">ARC Burger</a> — a franchise operator owned by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.highbluffcap.com/">High Bluff Capital Partners</a> — alleging the company fell behind on required payments and other contract obligations. Twenty-eight locations had already gone dark as of late December, with remaining sites scheduled to shutter across eight states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina and Wyoming.&nbsp;At the center of the complaint is the franchising “stack” of ongoing fees and pass-through costs that keep a system running. ARC Burger allegedly owes more than $6.5 million, including royalties, advertising fund contributions, technology and training fees, rent and taxes, and that payments stopped in December 2024. Hardee’s also argued in the lawsuit that the franchisee’s cash flow was not being used to bring accounts current.&nbsp;Hardee’s, for its part, is framing the shutdowns as a contractual enforcement issue, not a brand-wide retrenchment. “These closures are a result of ARC Burger’s failure to cure its defaults under its franchise agreements, despite solid sales,” a Hardee’s spokesperson said.&nbsp;The situation highlights a familiar franchising pressure point: unit economics. Inc. reported that Hardee’s operates more than 1,800 U.S. restaurants and that average annual sales per location are less than $1.2 million, well below averages cited for&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-wendys-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2722520">Wendy’s</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-buy-a-mcdonalds-franchise-2724654#stories">McDonald’s</a>. Lower volumes can leave franchisees with less room to absorb higher labor, food and occupancy costs while staying current on fees.&nbsp;Hardee’s said it is working to limit fallout for workers and communities and is looking for ways to reopen closed restaurants. For franchising, the next chapter will likely involve finding replacement operators, transferring sites and rebuilding compliance — a reminder that franchise growth depends as much on franchisee solvency and execution as it does on consumer demand.Read the original article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inc.com/ava-levinson/hardees-shutting-dozens-restaurants/91282586">here</a>.Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.1851growthclub.com">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Hardee's Franchise - ARC Burger Lawsuit - 1851 Franchise

The closures stem from alleged unpaid royalties and missed franchise obligations by a major operator, not a broader chainwide collapse for the Hardee’s system.

Hardee’s Lawsuit Targets Franchisee as 77 Restaurants Prepare to Shut Down

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The linear sales funnel is dying. Prospective buyers are no longer filling out a form at first glance and waiting for the phone to ring. They’re doing the majority of the heavy lifting before they even make themselves known to the franchisor. For franchisors, this means one key thing: you must know exactly where candidates spend their time. No guesswork. And you have to adjust your strategy accordingly.And, in today's buyer world, the biggest buzz term is 2026's ride or die for franchise brands – Ai.&nbsp;If you are trying to sell a franchise today, you must meet candidates where they are (four walls, Ai, website, social advertising).&nbsp;Focusing on a strong digital footprint first and then lead generation will help the brand with validation and will lay the foundation for trust before the first conversation even happens. Still, franchisors must know where to find their candidates and be confident the candidates are being sent to the right place.“We consistently see the strongest lead performance from Google Search (paid and organic), social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn and our franchise development website,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinlsnyder">Erin Snyder</a>, head of franchise development at&nbsp;<a href="https://handelsicecream.com/handels-franchise/">Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream</a>. “Because all awareness and advertising efforts ultimately funnel candidates to our development site, maintaining a highly optimized, mobile-first web presence is critical for conversion.”<h2>The "Hidden" Channels: Authentic Research via AiSEO</h2>While Google and major portals are often where a candidate might start a broad search, the deep research happens in the shadows. This is where candidates scroll, mindlessly or otherwise, simply observing rather than clicking “apply” immediately; or, ask Ai chatbots about the best franchises to buy, the blind spots, the why nots, and, of course, the whys.Right now, Ai plays a key role in this research stage. Buyers want the truth.&nbsp;For franchisors, this means your content strategy must pivot. It is no longer enough to post stock photos of happy business owners. You must document the journey, showing the behind-the-scenes reality that proves your concept has staying power.<h2>The Pivot From Print to Digital Interactivity</h2>While print media has been a channel for franchise development in the past, its static nature has made it less effective as the buyer’s journey has shifted to digital. Buyers are generally looking for channels that will allow them to click, read and continue the search immediately.“Traditional print media has largely become a thing of the past for franchise development,” Snyder said. “What has been encouraging, though, is seeing many of these publications successfully pivot to digital formats that offer greater interactivity, stronger analytics and far better linkability than print ever could.”This creates a more dynamic experience for the candidate. In addition to a digital article, franchisors can embed a “day in the life” video, for example, or hyperlink a deeper dive on costs and profits for instant validation.This shift also allows franchisors to track return on investment more effectively. Instead of guessing if an article or ad worked, digital publications allow you to see exactly who clicked through, allowing for retargeting and smarter budget allocation.<h2>The Conversion Hub: Your Mobile-First Website</h2>Once a candidate has discovered you on Google, watched your videos on TikTok and read about you in a digital publication, they finally arrive at the destination: your franchise development website.This is the bottom of the funnel, where you will win or lose a candidate. Because all other channels point here, your website cannot just be a digital brochure. It has to be a conversion engine. And crucially, it must work perfectly on a smartphone.The question can’t just be “Do we have a website?” Questions about the website should surround usability and readability. Is navigation easy on a smartphone? Does the site load quickly? Is it readable? If a prospect has to pinch-and-zoom to read your investment costs and financial performance, they will leave.An optimized, mobile-first presence is critical because it serves as the collection point; all other awareness efforts funnel potential franchisees to the site. The user experience here should validate the trust built on other channels. However, accessibility is only half the battle; the content itself must be unsparingly open. The website is the channel where you must prove your value proposition with hard data.“Across all channels, the messaging needs to be clear, concise and consistent,” Snyder said. “Candidates should be able to easily find transparent investment ranges and financial requirements, a clear value proposition, compelling franchisee success stories, key differentiators from competitors and straightforward next steps for how to inquire.”When you treat your website as a transparency engine rather than a gatekeeper, you change the dynamic of the eventual sales call. A candidate who has already consumed your financial data and success stories arrives at the inquiry stage educated and qualified. This allows the development team to skip the basic fact-finding and move straight to strategy and fit.“When a candidate submits an inquiry, the first conversation should build on what the candidate has already learned,” Snyder said “ensuring they understand the opportunity they are considering, clarifying details, personalizing the discussion to their goals and moving them into a structured education process rather than starting from scratch.”<h2>Allocating the Budget: The "Ideal Candidate" Approach</h2>While a presence across multiple channels — from search and social to digital publications — is key, understanding exactly how much to invest in each option is the next hurdle. There is no single, magical approach to budgeting; a brand selling multi-million-dollar franchises needs to develop a presence in different places than a low-cost, mobile franchise will.To spend effectively, you must deeply understand your ideal franchisee profile. Once you know who is investing, you can begin working on where to find them. For example, a high-net-worth investor might be on LinkedIn and reading digital trade journals, while a first-time investor or someone seeking an owner-operator model might be influenced by local Facebook ads.“Franchisors should start by understanding their ideal franchisee profile and then allocate budget toward the channels where those prospects spend the most time,” Snyder said. “The mix will naturally look different for a high-investment, multi-unit candidate than for a first-time owner-operator. Beyond that, it’s critical to consider overall brand awareness and invest in channels that consistently get both the brand and the franchise opportunity in front of qualified prospects. A balanced approach that supports both awareness and lead capture tends to produce the strongest results.”<h2>Key Takeaways and Next Steps:</h2>Make sure you have a content footprint that answers the top 25 questions asked about your brand in Ai and Google searchs.Review your mobile experience: Open your franchise development site on your phone. If it takes more than three seconds to load or if the "Apply" button is hard to find, fix it immediately.Embrace "lo-fi" video content: You don't need a production crew. Use a smartphone to record "day in the life" videos with your franchisees and post them to social to build authentic trust.Ensure transparency and continuity:&nbsp;Candidates need to be able to find the information they’re looking for, and the experience should be consistent between a social page and a franchise development site. Make sure your value proposition is clear across all channels.Embrace innovation, but don’t count out the classics:&nbsp;Look at the whole picture. Many candidates are exploring opportunities on supplemental platforms like social media or in the results of a Google search, but they’re still looking at the franchise development site, too. Don’t confine yourself to the “old reliable” methods, but don’t leave them behind, either.Budget by persona, not platform: Don't just "do Facebook ads." Define exactly who your buyer is, and spend your money only on the channels where that specific person consumes content.For more information on franchise growth channels, check out these related stories on 1851 Franchise:<ul><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-to-use-social-media-marketing-to-promote-your-franchise-2727185#stories">How To Use Social Media Marketing To Promote Your Franchise</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/building-a-franchise-website-that-converts-key-features-and-best-practices-2727363#stories">Building a Franchise Website That Converts: Key Features and Best Practices</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlfduHqGy7I">How to Sell Franchises | The Buyer Persona</a></li></ul>

To succeed in the shifting landscape, franchisors must understand the buyer’s journey, identify the ideal franchisee profile, and build a digital presence that meets candidates where they are.

ProLift Garage Doors Launches AR and VR-Powered Training Program

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