How to Open a Strategic Franchising Systems Franchise

Strategic Franchising Systems (SFS) provides management and consulting services to five independently owned but affiliated franchise brands and is actively searching for and recruiting qualified owners from across the country to help expand the company’s footprint in open territories and serve thousands of customers looking for help. SFS offers aspiring entrepreneurs from all walks of life and backgrounds the opportunity to take charge of their own destiny and start a business in some of today’s hottest service industries. 

The consulting entity currently offers five home-based, low-cost franchise opportunities: nationally recognized painting franchise Fresh Coat, senior home-relocation and estate sales concept Caring Transitions, business and sales coaching concept The Growth Coach, fast-growing natural pet food and pet grooming brand Pet Wants and the only national provider of total house care, inside and out, for seniors and busy families TruBlue. 

So, for those interested, what is the first step to opening a Strategic Franchising brand location?

Joe Lewandowski, Vice President of Operations for Caring Transitions, says candidates should first fill out a simple questionnaire found on the brand’s franchise development website. “From there they go through an education process on the various business opportunities and models,” he said. “We have several franchise directors that help select which franchise brand is best for each candidate. They will tell them what each of the brands is all about and help them make the decision, if it is right for them. The education process covers an industry and business overview; what makes our business model unique; overview of our operating, marketing and technology systems; and the training and on-going support we offer.”

From day one, Lewandowski says, “Franchise candidates should be ready to answer two main questions: Why are they going into business, and what do they want to accomplish with the franchise? They need to convince us they have strong reasons and are excited to create a better life for themselves and their families. We find that passionate and driven franchise owners succeed at a much higher rate.”

“We define those answers and then work the plan backwards,” he said. “If they want to retire in 10 years and have someone else run the business, we will see what their staff needs to be, the scaling required, etc. We start with the end in mind, the main goal, from day one. Knowing with clarity where they want to be helps put together that roadmap to help them accomplish those goals they are setting out to achieve as a franchise owner.”

Once franchise candidates narrow in on a brand, the operation coaches will help walk them through the entire onboarding process. “We have a dedicated coach that works with them on executing everything involved in the business plan,” he said. “We have a four-week process for onboarding and all the different tasks that need to happen, whether that be setting up insurance, the legal entity like an LLC or anything else. We are your business launch experts and ensure you do all the right steps to lay the foundation for success.”

Joshua Johns, Director of Marketing for The Growth Coach, says it is important that new franchise owners come into the onboarding process with an open mind. “Just because you did business a certain way before, doesn’t mean it will be the same way we suggest you do business as you potentially enter a new industry or business model,” he said. “Franchise candidates should keep an open mind, be coachable, and be ready to adopt new mindsets so they can follow proven systems and processes to improve their success potential. The best approach is to be humble and hungry the first year and learn a ton about yourself and the business.”

When it comes to learning about that proven business model, Lewandowski said onboarding and training go hand-in-hand. All new franchise owners are prepared and trained with what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, including access to business coaching, recruiting, marketing programs and trade secrets for each of the five franchise systems. 

“Training starts day one in that onboarding process,” Lewandowski said. “We go through much of the training remotely, and then prospects come to the workshop for one week of training at the home office. They meet their coaches and work to build their business plan. Everyday features a different theme — our brand, our culture, the technology, the tools we have such as pricing, KPI tracking, profitability and accountability, sales and marketing, launch procedures, next steps. There is also an onsite training piece where they can go work in an operating franchise — touch it, feel it and see it. At the end of the onboarding process, they get to proudly present their business plan to the leadership team as well as to their regional coach and the peers that are in the workshop. It’s a totally supportive and encouraging environment where we all cheer for each other.”

Then, after training, it is time to launch the business. Since the Strategic concepts are mostly home-based, Lewandowski says grand opening events are really just a date on a calendar, but the team suggests local marketing strategies to get the word out and generate publicity and buzz. 

“Whether it be press releases, partnerships with the local chamber of commerce or networking with other businesses, we help franchise owners center the opening around building a positive presence in the community they serve,” Lewandowski said. 

For example, Joshua Johns says the team can help owners set up a “ribbon cutting ceremony” event in collaboration with the local chamber of commerce. “This gives owners an opportunity to launch the business and share their intentions with the community,” he said. “It gives them a chance to celebrate the opening with friends and colleagues and makes it official. We may not be cutting the ribbon at a specific facility, but we are symbolically cutting the ribbon on the franchise owner’s next exciting stage in life.” 

The corporate support doesn’t stop after the grand opening, Johns says. “The ongoing support is just as in-depth as the pre-opening support,” he said. “A lot of typical business owners feel alone and on an island, and that doesn’t happen at Strategic. Our operations and marketing coaches are with our business owners every step of the way and our owners also get invaluable peer-to-peer support with their fellow franchise owners. Our owners are never alone. And unlike others, we certainly don’t just pat our franchise owners on the back, send them on their way and wait for a royalty check every month. We want to ensure they have continued engagement and success. We are true partners. Our success depends on their success. This includes providing a 90-day checklist that outlines everything owners should be doing each day and each week. They can continue to use it every week for the remainder of the business.”

When opening their new business, Strategic Franchising Systems franchisees can be confident they are tapping into a system that has helped people make their dreams come true for over 30 years. With lower startup costs, strong support and an easier barrier to entry, Strategic Franchising Systems appeals to aspiring entrepreneurs from all walks of life and backgrounds. 

“The most successful franchise owners are undoubtedly the ones that follow the business model closely,” said Johns. “We’ve put the operating, marketing and technology systems in place for a reason — we’ve had the opportunity over many years and through investing tons of money to test and perfect everything we do and our owners do. And best of all, we are continually refining and innovating year after year to provide the best tools and solutions to our owners.”

Overall, when getting ready to open their new business, Lewandowski says the most important trait an ideal Strategic Franchising owner needs to have is a passion for owning a business and providing the services to the community. Possessing passion and a positive energy and attitude create a success magnet in the markteplace.   

“Whether it be working with seniors with Caring Transitions or helping extended family members with Pet Wants, franchise owners need to be driven about the offering they are providing,” Lewendowski said. “They also need to be willing to follow systems, processes and resources to accomplish their goals. When people are looking to open a business and take control of their own destiny, it can be a step towards achieving their dream, but it is also a big commitment. When opening a Strategic Franchising brand, they can be confident they are not in it alone.” 

For more information, visit: https://strategicfranchising.com/