How Strategic Franchising Systems Supports Franchisees Every Step of the Way

At Strategic Franchising Systems, the journey to successful business ownership is carefully crafted to support franchisees from the moment they sign on the dotted line. 

1851 Franchise spoke with Strategic Franchising Systems President Chris Seman to learn more about how the company’s support system is designed to guide new franchisees through each phase of business ownership, ensuring they have the tools, knowledge and confidence to thrive.

A Comprehensive Onboarding Process

“Once they sign, the first step is to go into our onboarding process,” said Seman. “This process is not a one-size-fits-all approach but is tailored to each brand within Strategic Franchising Systems.”

Each franchise brand, whether it’s Fresh Coat Painters, Caring Transitions, The Growth Coach, Pet Wants or TruBlue, has its own onboarding manager who takes new franchisees through a complete path of business setup and brand-specific operations. 

According to Seman, this onboarding phase lasts four to six weeks and covers everything from how to establish a business to mastering the intricacies of running the specific franchise.

Immersive Training in Cincinnati

After completing the initial onboarding, franchisees are invited to Cincinnati for an intensive training week. Here, they engage with a dedicated team of subject matter experts across various departments, including marketing, staffing, operations, sales, technology and financials.

“You meet core members of the team who are subject matter experts,” Seman said. “This hands-on training ensures that franchisees not only understand the theoretical aspects of their business but also how to apply these concepts in real-world scenarios.”

The learning doesn’t stop in the classroom. Strategic Franchising ensures that new franchisees get on-the-ground experience through an on-site training program. This involves spending three to five days with an existing franchisee who exemplifies the brand’s best practices.

“You can see everything in action, in the field, with real life customers and employees,” said Seman. “These top-performing franchisees are carefully selected to mentor new owners, demonstrating the day-to-day operations and customer interactions that are crucial to success. They are poster children for who we want franchisees to be.”

Continued Support After Launch

Once franchisees open their location, the support continues. Each franchisee receives a dedicated website, for example, a press release upon opening and access to a franchise-directed consulting organization. They remain connected with their onboarding manager, receive guidance from a peer-to-peer mentor and have opportunities to interact with the marketing department to help boost revenue from the start. 

This support also includes access to a wide range of marketing resources, such as brochures, vehicle wraps, website development, SEO assistance, social media setup and even management of paid search campaigns. Franchisees also benefit from ongoing marketing training, webinars and a network of peers to share strategies. Strategic Franchising tailors marketing efforts to each unique market, combining digital, social media and grassroots strategies to help franchisees succeed long-term, regardless of their prior experience in marketing or business development.

“From three months to a year into their journey, franchisees transition to working with a dedicated business coach,” said Seman. “This coach is instrumental in driving results, focusing on both day-to-day processes and long-term business strategies.”

Franchisees also benefit from being part of the Strategic Start Program, Seman says, where they receive additional guidance from a Growth Coach franchisee who helps them refine their business avenues while the brand continues to assist with operational aspects. This allows franchisees to provide feedback and seek advice from their peers, ensuring they can continuously improve and maximize their success. 

“We also offer annual conferences to get together with owners,” said Seman, highlighting the importance of networking and staying updated with industry trends.

Strategic Franchising Systems is committed to supporting franchisees through every stage of their journey, from initial onboarding to long-term business development. With a comprehensive support system, ongoing training and a network of successful franchisees, Strategic Franchising ensures that each franchisee has the resources and knowledge needed to build a thriving business.

For more information about Strategic Franchising Systems and its franchise opportunities, visit Strategic Franchising Systems.