Strategic Franchising

In franchising, the brand is your foundation — but the network is your secret weapon. Across the&nbsp;<a href="https://strategicfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=building-a-network-how-franchisees-support-and-learn-from-each-other-2729453" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Strategic Franchising Systems</a> portfolio, franchisees aren’t just business owners following a system. They’re part of a collaborative ecosystem where shared challenges turn into collective solutions, and success stories become roadmaps for others.Whether it's through conferences, online platforms, peer mentorship or advisory councils,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/info">Strategic Franchising</a> has built a culture where franchisees grow together. That sense of community is more than a feel-good perk — it’s a strategic advantage.<h2>Collaboration in Action: The Fresh Coat Franchise Advisory Council (FAC)</h2>A shining example of this peer-to-peer collaboration is the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/fresh-coat-painters-strengthens-franchisee-involvement-with-new-franchise-advisory-council-election-2727842">Fresh Coat Franchise Advisory Council (FAC)</a>. Recently, a new group of franchisees was elected to serve on the FAC, a group that represents the broader network and acts as a bridge between franchisees and the corporate team.“Our franchisees nominate their peers, and an election is then held to select 10-12 individuals who we, at the corporate level, meet with quarterly and beyond to both listen and share,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-hudson-80317444?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=building-a-network-how-franchisees-support-and-learn-from-each-other-2729453" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lisa Hudson</a>, brand president of&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=building-a-network-how-franchisees-support-and-learn-from-each-other-2729453" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters</a>. “It’s about giving our franchisees a voice and ensuring we’re working together to help them grow their investment.”The FAC not only advises on overarching business strategies but also forms specialized committees for key areas like marketing, commercial growth and communication. These committees allow franchisees to contribute meaningfully to the development of programs that impact the system as a whole.For franchisees, being part of the FAC fosters camaraderie and connection. Leaders like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-ross-2646323/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=building-a-network-how-franchisees-support-and-learn-from-each-other-2729453" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sarah Ross</a>, former FAC chairperson and award-winning Fresh Coat franchisee, exemplify the council’s mission. “She proactively reached out to other franchise owners to make sure they felt their voices were being heard,” Hudson said. “She was a great communicator with our team, bridging any gap there may have been between franchisor and franchisees.”<h2>Technology-Powered Connection: Fresh Coat’s Circle Platform</h2>Beyond formal councils, Fresh Coat also promotes daily communication and idea-sharing through The Circle, an online platform that allows franchisees across the country to connect in real time.“We have multiple channels for communication,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-j-deraway-232a7350?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=building-a-network-how-franchisees-support-and-learn-from-each-other-2729453" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jeffrey Deraway</a>, vice president of operations and education at Fresh Coat. “The Circle allows franchisees to ask questions, seek advice and discuss challenges. Owners from across the country, with varying levels of experience, can share insights and offer solutions.”This kind of peer mentorship ensures no owner has to navigate entrepreneurship alone. Whether you’re troubleshooting a job site issue, looking for a marketing idea or simply need support, there’s always another franchisee who’s been there and is willing to help.<h2>Sister Brand Synergy: How Fresh Coat and TruBlue Franchisees Collaborate</h2>The collaborative culture doesn’t stop at the brand level. Within Strategic Franchising, sister brands like Fresh Coat and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trubluefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=building-a-network-how-franchisees-support-and-learn-from-each-other-2729453" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TruBlue Home Service Ally</a> often work together to refer clients, share booth space at local events and build each other’s businesses.“When our customers need handyman services beyond painting, we can confidently refer them to TruBlue franchisees who uphold the same standards of professionalism and quality that define our brand,” Hudson said.This cooperation translates into greater customer satisfaction, increased business for both parties and a tighter-knit franchisee community. “We’ve always promoted our franchisees working together in markets they are in,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/seancfitzgerald/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=building-a-network-how-franchisees-support-and-learn-from-each-other-2729453" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sean Fitzgerald</a>, president of TruBlue. “It makes sense. As Fresh Coat franchisees complete large projects, their clients will often ask, ‘Do you know someone who can fix this?’ If it’s beyond their scope, they can refer the client to us. And since we don’t do large painting projects, we can refer to Fresh Coat as well.”<h2>Strength in Shared Experience</h2>Whether through structured councils, casual message boards or cross-brand collaboration, franchisees in the Strategic Franchising network benefit from something rare in business ownership: a trusted group of peers who are invested in each other’s success.By leveraging shared experiences, franchisees can navigate challenges faster, execute better and feel more connected to a mission that’s larger than their individual territory. It’s a reminder that in franchising — and in business — the best growth often comes when we grow together.For more information on Strategic Franchising Systems, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/info">https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/info</a>.

Franchisee Support Network: Building Success Through Collaboration | Strategic Franchising

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Strategic Franchising fosters a collaborative culture, driven by peer learning and franchisee-led councils, which empowers franchisees to support and learn from each other.

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Franchise ownership is often sold as a shortcut to entrepreneurship: a proven model, a recognizable brand and built-in support. But even in strong franchise systems, things go sideways. Staffing headaches, cash flow hiccups, local marketing that doesn’t hit and plain old burnout can pile up fast.Within the&nbsp;<a href="https://strategicfranchising.com/">Strategic Franchising Systems</a> portfolio, those challenges are met head-on through coaching, peer support and a relentless focus on business fundamentals. According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-brausch-28144410/">Tim Brausch</a>, a business coach with&nbsp;<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/">Pet Wants</a>, success starts with reframing what franchise ownership actually is.“Understanding it’s a business is the key,” Brausch said. “A lot of people get into franchising because they have a passion for the type of business they’ve chosen. In our case, it’s pet nutrition and wellness. But you also have to have a passion for business as well, margins, sales and understanding how everything fits together.”<h2>Shifting From Passion to Performance</h2>For many first-time owners, the early challenge is more about business acumen than motivation.&nbsp;“We spend a lot of time on KPIs and digging into P&amp;Ls,” Brausch said. “Those numbers tell the story of the business. Once owners understand them, they gain clarity instead of stress.”That clarity is critical in the early years.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-brascetta-aa376126">Pam Brascetta</a>, a Pet Wants franchisee in New Jersey, knows that firsthand. Now in her third year of operation, she describes the first year as both overwhelming and formative.“The biggest challenge in the first year was really getting a grip on purchasing and inventory,” Brascetta said. “What sells, what doesn’t sell — that’s a learning process. You’re figuring out events, figuring out what’s worth your time and making judgment calls every single day.”For Brascetta, franchising wasn’t new. She previously owned a travel franchise but ultimately sold it due to a lack of support.“I didn’t get the support that I really needed,” she said. “That experience taught me how important it is to have a system and people behind you.”<h2>Leaning Into the System&nbsp;</h2>One of the most common mistakes new franchisees make, Brausch says, is underutilizing the franchisor’s systems early on.“Many challenges come from not fully understanding the franchisor’s systems in the beginning,” he said. “Sometimes owners buy a business and think they’re on their own. But that’s not how franchising works. We are really the silent business partner here to assist you.”From onboarding and training to ongoing coaching,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/info">Strategic Franchising Systems</a> is designed to reduce isolation, but only if franchisees engage.“Fully engage in onboarding, attend ongoing training and lean on the support team,” Brausch said. “That’s what it’s there for.”Brascetta echoes that sentiment, noting that access to knowledge and education has been one of the most rewarding parts of ownership. “Corporate enables you to learn as much as you want,” she said. “We’re very comprehensive in how we work with customers, and that comes from the training and support behind the brand.”<h2>Staffing, Scaling and Letting Go</h2>Labor is another challenge that consistently tests franchise owners. “One of the big problems when starting a business is thinking you have to do everything, from janitor to CEO,” Brausch said. “At some point, you have to learn how to scale by hiring the right people and giving up some of the day-to-day work.”In Pet Wants, Brausch says the best hires often come from the customer base itself.“They already have a passion for pets and pet nutrition,” he said. “But even then, training is critical. Your employees need to understand what success looks like and how they fit into it.”Brascetta agrees, noting: “There are so many moving parts. You need people you can delegate responsibilities to. This isn’t something you do completely on your own.”<h2>Overcoming Isolation Through Community</h2>Beyond operational challenges, franchise ownership can be taxing if owners feel isolated in the business. “It is a challenge,” Brausch said. “That’s why we focus on peer-to-peer sessions and connecting franchisees with others who are in the same position. You’re not in this alone.”Those connections can prevent burnout and accelerate problem-solving. “If there are issues you need answers to, that’s what the franchise community is here for,” he said. “Not just me, but the entire network.”For Brascetta, that sense of community is key. “It’s better to do this when you have support behind you,” she said. “You’re going to need help. It takes time financially, and you have to push through.”<h2>Playing the Long Game</h2>Perhaps the most overlooked challenge in franchising is maintaining a long-term perspective.“Having a plan in place when you purchase a franchise is incredibly important,” Brausch said. “Where do you want to be in one year, five years, 10 years? Are you building to sell? To pass it on to your children? This is long-term. You can’t just look at the next month.”That mindset shift can be difficult, especially for owners who are involved in daily operations. But for those who embrace it, franchising becomes more than a job.“You also really have to have that passion,” Brascetta said. “I wake up every day because of the pets. That’s what keeps me going. If you don’t truly care, it’s going to be very hard to push through the tough parts.”<h2>Growth Through Coachability</h2>At its core, overcoming franchise challenges comes down to humility and coachability.“Franchisees sometimes have a difficult time admitting they need help,” Brausch said. “But that’s what we’re here for. They are not in this alone.”Within Strategic Franchising Systems,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/how-strategic-franchising-systems-empowers-franchisees-with-comprehensive-marketing-and-branding-support-2727244">that philosophy is embedded into the model</a>. Challenges aren’t signs of failure, they’re expected milestones on the path to sustainable ownership.For franchisees willing to learn, ask questions and lean into the system, those challenges become the foundation for long-term success.For more information about Strategic Franchising Systems and its portfolio of necessity-based brands, visit:<a href="https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/info">&nbsp;https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/info</a>.

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