1851

Taking the plunge and finally opening one&rsquo;s own franchise location can be exciting and overwhelming all at once. Between parsing the text-rich pages of the franchise disclosure document, finding the just-right location and completing their due diligence, a prospective franchisee may find themselves wondering more than ever if a resource exists to make sure their voice is heard by corporate leadership.

The good news? Just such a resource exists.

It&rsquo;s called a franchise advisory council.

Franchise advisory councils, or FACs, are composed of groups of franchisees who meet on a scheduled basis to discuss matters that are of importance to both themselves and their franchisor. <a href="https://1851franchise.com/communication-between-franchisee-and-franchisor-the-proverbial-two-way-street-2708315" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">The council exists as both a representative of the larger franchise system and as a point of contact for dialogue between franchisor and franchisee</a>.

Stephanie Simon is a five-year franchisee with pest control franchise <a href="https://mosquitojoefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-essential-role-franchise-advisory-councils-play-in-franchisee-validation-2709112" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Mosquito Joe</a>, operating in five territories across Arkansas. She&rsquo;s been a member of her Mosquito Joe FAC since nearly the beginning of her franchising career, becoming a council member in 2014.

&ldquo;I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Mosquito Joe FAC,&rdquo; Simon said. &ldquo;I sincerely appreciate seeing and hearing all of the changes that have been made for the better in our system because a few people spoke up, and, through the FAC, their voices were heard.&rdquo;

Asked how she understood the goals of her FAC, Simon was emphatic:

&ldquo;Our primary goals are to promote constructive, open and two-way communication between franchisees and Mosquito Joe corporate,&rdquo; Simon explained. &ldquo;These goals are well-achieved as it seems easier to speak to a fellow franchisee about a specific idea or concern&mdash;we are all in the same boat.&rdquo;

Simon&rsquo;s FAC meets quarterly to discuss an agenda that they set. In Simon&rsquo;s case, the work of her franchise advisory council has brought on tangible successes; just a few include &ldquo;consistent updates and improvements in vans, uniforms, vendors, products, policies and procedures.&rdquo;

According to Simon, the experience has truly served to validate and strengthen the relationship between corporate leadership and the franchise system&rsquo;s owner-operators.

&ldquo;In my experience, I have seen so many great ideas come to fruition because of the FAC,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Mosquito Joe corporate is great at listening and making changes as needed. I believe when the franchisees see these changes, they feel a certain validation that they were heard and that corporate listened.&rdquo;

Kathleen McKay is the Director of Franchise Development for non-medical elderly care franchise <a href="https://franchises.homeinstead.com/Pages/default.aspx?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-essential-role-franchise-advisory-councils-play-in-franchisee-validation-2709112" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Home Instead Senior Care</a>. Home Instead operates with an FEC model, or &ldquo;franchise exchange council,&rdquo; but the function and rewards echo those of Simon&rsquo;s FAC: &ldquo;[Our council] really provides a vehicle for franchise owners and senior leadership to share&mdash;whether that&rsquo;s opportunities or challenges&mdash;and to create workable solutions that work for the home office and for our network.&rdquo;

As McKay puts it, the reason for this success can best be understood by considering the relationship between franchisee and franchisor to be symbiotic.

&ldquo;Some of our owners that have been on the FEC explain it as: &lsquo;The senior leadership of our home office really thinks at the macro level, but owners have to operate at the micro level.&rsquo; So having owners sit down with our leadership really helps bridge that and allows for both forward-thinking and for operational day-to-day success.&rdquo;

Home Instead Senior Care&rsquo;s FEC, founded in 2005, is also set up along clear guidelines: the council is comprised of 16 franchise owners in the U.S. and Canada, with two representatives serving from the franchise&rsquo;s eight North American regions. Representatives are voted onto the council by other franchisees in the system. The council meets bi-annually, or more frequently should an issue require its attention. As in the case of Simon&rsquo;s FAC, the Home Instead council sets its own agenda and has seen real results.

&ldquo;Working closely with our network, we expanded the scope [of our business model] ever-so-slightly on the advice of our owners,&rdquo; McKay explained. &ldquo;We made sure we had everything to do that professionally, with quality expansion, not just expansion for expansion&rsquo;s sake.&rdquo; She continued: &ldquo;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/fbr-50-franchisee-satisfaction-awards-home-instead-senior-care-2706494" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Anytime we consider new operating software, we talk to the FEC</a>. We move things forward, or not, because of the FEC.&rdquo;

Asked for her thoughts on just how beneficial to an existing franchisee-franchisor relationship advisory or exchange councils can be, McKay spoke in plain terms.

&ldquo;Having some kind of council, FAC or FEC, is a critical piece for any franchise to have,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;You have to have your finger on the pulse and be open to hearing everything. I mean, it&rsquo;s a partnership. [As a franchisee], if you don&rsquo;t have a vehicle for communication and access to senior leadership, you&rsquo;re not going to be satisfied.&rdquo;

With the new year, Stephanie Simon&rsquo;s tenure as a member of her Mosquito Joe FAC is drawing to a close. After five sessions of involvement, she feels that FACs have an important role to play not only for owner-operators seeking meaningful dialogue with their franchisor, but also for prospective franchisee validation.

&ldquo;I think FACs play a great role in prospective franchisee validation,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;It shows them that we belong to a community and franchise that is actively listening to their members and open to hearing new ideas to improve our entire system. I believe that it is so important for prospective franchisees to know about this opportunity when making their final decisions.&rdquo;

&ldquo;Even the smallest idea,&rdquo; said Simon, &ldquo;can make such an amazing impact.&quot;

franchise advisory council, FAC, franchisee validation, Mosquito Joe, Home Instead Senior Care

The Essential Role Franchise Advisory Councils Play in Franchisee Validation

1851 Franchise

How FACs provide a necessary two-way vehicle of communication and growth in a franchise system.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

the-essential-role-franchise-advisory-councils-play-in-franchisee-validation

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue’s Home Maintenance Plans: Peace of Mind for Homeowners

trublues-home-maintenance-plans-peace-of-mind-for-homeowners

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Targets Peoria, Illinois, for Franchise Growth

caring-transitions-targets-peoria-illinois-for-franchise-growth

Caring Transitions Celebrates a Strong Start to 2025 With 19 New Franchise Sales and Momentum-Building Training Events

caring-transitions-celebrates-a-strong-start-to-2025-with-19-new-franchise-sales-and-momentum-building-training-events

Right at Home

Right at Home 30th Anniversary in Home Care with Right at Home Logo

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence and Future Innovations in Home Care

celebrating-30-years-of-excellence-and-future-innovations-in-home-care

Why TruBlue is the Ideal Franchise for Multi-Unit Owners: Scalable Growth With a Purpose

why-trublue-is-the-ideal-franchise-for-multi-unit-owners-scalable-growth-with-a-purpose

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

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Amy Lepke and family and Papa Murphy's logo

After 14 Years as a Stay-At-Home Mom, Amy Lepke Returned to Papa Murphy’s — This Time as an Owner

papa-murphys-franchise-amy-lepke

Franchisee Spotlight with Micki Waters and Papa Murphy's Logo

Work Mom: How Micki Waters Became a Mother Figure to Her Entire Papa Murphy’s Team

work-mom-how-micki-waters-became-a-mother-figure-to-her-entire-papa-murphys-team

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

The Essential Role Franchise Advisory Councils Play in Franchisee Validation

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS