1851

On Wednesday, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/17/business/thanksgiving-out-of-stock/index.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=supply-chain-struggles-have-forced-franchises-to-adapt-holiday-strategies-2717245" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CNN Business</a> reported that many Thanksgiving dinner essentials are quickly going out of stock. Business writer <a href="https://www.cnn.com/profiles/danielle-wiener-bronner?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=supply-chain-struggles-have-forced-franchises-to-adapt-holiday-strategies-2717245" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Danielle Wiener-Bronner</a> cited the ongoing strain to the global supply chain as the reason, paired with the insistence of consumers planning ahead to avoid going without.For franchises, the roadblocks to this supply chain are nothing new in 2021. The latest Thanksgiving trends suggest there are immediate provisions to be made within the franchising industry for brands that rely on seasonal traffic. The demand for holiday-related products or specials are subject to a time-sensitive decline.Consumers have been forced to adapt through all sorts of changes due to COVID-19, so a few meal substitutions at the Thanksgiving table may be the least of consumer worries. The current supply chain concerns mean that many franchises will be taking a gamble if they chose to run holiday specials that feature new products or ingredients, however. This pinch means franchises will be unable to roll out new strategies during the holidays, unless said innovation is a means to work around a limit to the supply chain.People are often willing to spend more money over the holiday season, but the season itself can’t be postponed just because a brand is unable to put their product or service on display. Brands are now forced to find how they can get people to spend money under the lowest possible shipping demands — or risk missing out on a peak revenue season.“If you haven't done your shopping yet, don't panic: You won't have to cancel Thanksgiving. But you may spend more than you'd like and have to make some substitutions,” said Wiener-Bronner.Franchise brands across the country have already been making those substitutions. For example, the money that the Wingstop franchise isn’t spending on chicken wings has now transitioned to an aggressive marketing campaign for <a href="https://www.thighstop.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=supply-chain-struggles-have-forced-franchises-to-adapt-holiday-strategies-2717245" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">chicken thighs</a>. It isn’t a 100% holiday-related program, of course, but it also isn’t just chicken that is facing a crunch. The latest crunch on turkey sales is a tough one to push back a couple weeks with Thanksgiving fast approaching.“During that first week of November, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/16/business/thanksgiving-turkeys-2021/index.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=supply-chain-struggles-have-forced-franchises-to-adapt-holiday-strategies-2717245" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">whole bird frozen, fixed-weight turkeys</a> were in stock at a rate of 64% on average across national retailers, [market research firm] IRI found. This time last year, that figure was around 86%,” Wiener-Bronner said.<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/11/14/1054878036/thanksgiving-travel-airlines-what-to-expect?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=supply-chain-struggles-have-forced-franchises-to-adapt-holiday-strategies-2717245" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Increased gathering </a>and <a href="https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/11/how-will-this-thanksgiving-compare-to-last-year-survey-gauges-americans-plans-for-big-gatherings-travel.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=supply-chain-struggles-have-forced-franchises-to-adapt-holiday-strategies-2717245" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">increased spending </a>this year are business opportunities that many franchises cannot simply pass on. They can take more action in 2021 than what was allowed in 2020, but a pinch in supply this year could be devastating for brands that rely on that seasonal attention based on tradition.

Supply Chain Struggles Have Forced Franchises To Adapt Holiday Strategies

1851 Franchise

Consumers in the U.S. are seeing a limited supply of Thanksgiving-related food available. More holiday struggles could come for franchises without an innovative supply chain strategy.

supply-chain-struggles-have-forced-franchises-to-adapt-holiday-strategies

Busy Bee Jumpers

Busy Bee Jumpers Buzzes into Franchising: Three New Franchisees Signed in First 30 Days

busy-bee-jumpers-buzzes-into-franchising-three-new-franchisees-signed-in-first-30-days

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Reports Strong Midyear Momentum 

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Reports Strong Midyear Momentum with Revenue Gains, Record Membership, and Strategic Expansion

fitness-premier-mid-year-growth-2025

Woodhouse Spas

image of a woodhouse spa franchise buildings exterior 

Woodhouse Spas Continues Strong Momentum With Double-Digit Growth in Q2

woodhouse-spas-q2-2025-growth-expansion

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne's Chicken Fingers-Mountain-State-Devo-June-2025

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Eyes Expansion in Mountain States

laynes-chicken-fingers-franchise-mountain-states-expansion

ServiceMaster Restore

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Strong Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

servicemaster-restore-powers-into-the-second-half-of-2025-with-strong-growth-and-purpose-driven-impact

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 Development Website Builder

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

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Blending Tech, Hospitality and Health Care: How Three Women From Different Worlds Came Together to Build a Paris Baguette Franchise

paris-baguette-franchise-flower-mound-texas

Supply Chain Struggles Have Forced Franchises To Adapt Holiday Strategies

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS