1851

Setting the right kinds of expectations at the start of the franchise development process is a crucial step, but taking it a step further to ensure the expectations themselves are realistic is what will truly set a development team up for success. Clear communication about growth goals, financial requirements and operational realities helps align both parties’ expectations and prevents misunderstandings that could lead to frustration or disappointment later on.1851 Franchise spoke with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelli-schroeder-mba-cfe-b7264121/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=setting-realistic-expectations-in-franchise-development-tips-for-sustainable-growth-2727863" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kelli Schroeder</a>, vice president of franchise development at&nbsp;<a href="http://thresholdbrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=setting-realistic-expectations-in-franchise-development-tips-for-sustainable-growth-2727863" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Threshold Brands</a>, about her approach to setting achievable growth goals for her teams and the steps she encourages to ensure prospective owners have a realistic view of what ownership might mean for them.<h3>Aligning Development Goals with Brand Growth Potential</h3>“Setting realistic growth goals for the development team is all about understanding your brand’s strengths and its limitations,” Schroeder said. “It’s about being clear on the resources needed to support that growth so each new unit is set up for success, not just for the short term but for longevity.”Rapid expansion can be tempting, but Schroeder advises against it unless the brand is fully prepared to support each new franchisee. She emphasizes that a sustainable growth rate ensures that franchisees receive adequate attention, training and resources, which ultimately benefits the entire franchise system.When setting realistic expectations, take the time to look inwards and truly evaluate which goals will be attainable for the team in terms of long-term support, as well as what might be realistic to expect in terms of interest from prospective owners.<h3>Transparency with Prospective Franchisees</h3>After setting realistic expectations for development teams, it’s important to encourage them to set similarly realistic expectations for prospects as they guide them through the process. Schroeder explains that the financial expectations of business ownership are one of the most important things to clarify early.“We want to be clear about the financial aspect from day one,” she said. “That means being transparent about initial costs, the potential revenue, but also the realistic timeline for seeing a return on investment. This helps franchisees enter with their eyes wide open, prepared for the ups and downs of the financial journey.”Development teams should refer prospects to the Franchise Disclosure Document to review data on the financial performance of current locations to help potential owners understand expected benchmarks. This transparency helps franchisees plan for the investment needed and the time required to reach profitability, setting them up for a more confident and informed start.This is just part of setting realistic expectations for prospective owners, though. It’s common for franchise candidates to enter the process with a vision of ownership that may not align with reality, especially if this is their first franchise investment.“For prospective franchisees, it’s crucial that we’re up-front about what it really means to be an owner with our brand,” Schroeder said. “They need to know about the hard work involved, the hours they may need to put in and the support we offer but also the limitations of that support.”In many cases, these clarifications should include information about how flexible the business is, what kinds of work the franchisee should expect to do when they’re “at work,” and even a frank conversation about how hands-on the business will require them to be.Providing a clear picture of what day-to-day responsibilities look like helps franchisees make an informed decision. By offering a realistic portrayal of franchise ownership, development teams can attract candidates who are both prepared and aligned with the brand’s expectations.Setting realistic expectations during the franchise development process is about balancing ambition with clarity for both development teams and prospective owners. Development teams should focus on setting attainable growth goals and clearly communicating what franchise ownership will entail, from financial requirements to operational tasks, and prospective owners should be receptive to these expectations.This transparency not only attracts the right candidates but also strengthens the relationship between franchisors and franchisees, setting up each new franchisee for long-term success.Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=setting-realistic-expectations-in-franchise-development-tips-for-sustainable-growth-2727863" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Setting Realistic Expectations in Franchise Development: Tips for Sustainable Growth

Setting Realistic Expectations in Franchise Development

1851 Franchise

Clear, realistic goals create a pathway for long-term franchise success. Here’s what you need to know to align your goals, team and prospects for a successful growth year.

setting-realistic-expectations-in-franchise-development-tips-for-sustainable-growth

Sola Salons

From Career Uncertainty to Business Ownership: Sharon Gates’ Journey From Meeting Planning to a Fulfilling Sola Salons Franchise

sharon-gates-sola-salons-franchise-success

Caring Transitions

Celebrating Women's History Month: Highlighting the Empowering Women Leaders of Caring Transitions

celebrating-womens-history-month-highlighting-the-empowering-women-leaders-of-caring-transitions

TruBlue Home Service Ally

How TruBlue Helps Franchisees Create Lasting Businesses

how-trublue-helps-franchisees-create-lasting-businesses

Fresh Coat

photo of Fresh Coat team member wearing white work clothes, painting a wall red

Fresh Coat Painters of Vernon Hills Gives The Den a Fresh Look Through Fresh Coat Cares Initiative

fresh-coat-painters-of-vernon-hills-gives-the-den-a-fresh-look-through-fresh-coat-cares-initiative

Lindora

photo of Lindora professional referencing information booklet

What Makes Lindora Different: Medically Guided Approach to Wellness

what-makes-lindora-different-medically-guided-weight-loss

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 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

Ellie Mental Health Franchisee Backlash - Alleged Misrepresentations - 1851 Franchise

Ellie Mental Health Faces Franchisee Backlash Over Alleged Misrepresentations

ellie-mental-health-franchisee-backlash

Tariff Tensions Threaten U.S. Restaurants with Rising Costs and Supply Chain Disruptions

tariff-tensions-threaten-us-restaurants-with-rising-costs-and-supply-chain-disruptions

Roof Scientist Launches Franchise Opportunity, Revolutionizing Roof Preservation with Innovative Technology

roof-scientist-launches-franchise-opportunity-revolutionizing-roof-preservation-with-innovative-technology

Restaurant Business: How McDonald's Is Restructuring To Compete With Specialized Chains

restaurant-business-how-mcdonalds-is-restructuring-to-compete-with-specialized-chains

Design with hundred dollar bill and orange "recession" banner across the middle

ABC News: Recession Risks Are Rising, Economists Say. Here’s What to Know.

recession-risks-impact-economy-franchise-world

AC Inc. - Field Coach Experts - Franchise Consulting - Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support - 1851

Franchise Consulting | AC Inc. — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

franchise-consulting-ac-inc-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Franchise Banking/Financing | ApplePie Capital — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

franchise-bankingfinancing-applepie-capital-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support: 1851 Supplier Highlights

Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support: List of Franchise Suppliers

emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Franchise Training Solutions | LearningZen — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

franchise-training-solutions-learningzen-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

The Top Quick Service Restaurant Franchises for 2025

the-top-quick-service-restaurant-franchises

Top 25 Emerging Restaurant Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Emerging Restaurant Concepts to Consider in 2025

top-emerging-restaurant-concepts-to-consider

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

Franchisee spotlight featuring Ian and Dick Rydholm with gradient blue background and Sylvan logo

Ian and Dick Rydholm Celebrate 30 Years of Transforming Lives Through Sylvan Learning in El Paso, Texas

ian-and-dick-rydholm-celebrate-30-years-of-transforming-lives-through-sylvan

Setting Realistic Expectations in Franchise Development: Tips for Sustainable Growth

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS