Growing a Franchise
Providing consistent operational support, tracking performance through KPIs, and fostering open communication are essential strategies to help franchisees thrive after launch.
Once a franchisee opens their doors, the real work of building a successful business begins. That’s where a franchisor’s ongoing support plays a crucial role. To ensure each location not only meets expectations but thrives, franchisors must deliver consistent operational support, encourage strong communication and collaboration, and implement systems to monitor and improve performance across the board.
The most successful franchises don’t stop supporting owners after launch. Ongoing training, regular check-ins and access to proven tools and resources are essential to keeping franchisees aligned with the brand’s operational standards.
“We’re hands-on from the moment a franchisee signs on,” said Alison Groom, director of franchise operations at Frios Gourmet Pops. “Every month, we host in-person training for new owners and managers where we cover everything they need to run their business confidently and efficiently. Leading up to their opening, we do weekly check-ins to walk them through a detailed operations checklist and help navigate any challenges. After they complete in-person training, those check-ins shift to biweekly and then monthly with our director of operations, so the support never stops.”
Whether it’s updated manuals, marketing materials, tech support or staff training programs, a franchisor's continued involvement helps ensure each location stays efficient, competitive and in line with the broader brand mission.
“We also provide lead lists, done-for-you marketing playbooks, social media calendars and content, and seasonal sales strategies,” Groom said. “On top of that, we host monthly roundtable discussions with top-performing franchisees so everyone can share what’s working and stay inspired. Our goal is to equip every owner not just to launch, but to grow with confidence, backed by the tools, resources, and community they need.”
No business is without hurdles, and proactive franchisors build a system that encourages franchisees to ask for help. When a location’s performance dips or operational issues arise, it’s critical that franchisees feel comfortable reaching out.
“We work closely with our franchisees to identify opportunities in their market and guide them with sales strategies that have been proven to work across our system,” Groom said. “We’re big on collaboration and problem-solving, and we love to strategize together.”
Franchisors can step in as partners, working collaboratively to identify the root of the issue and develop a strategic improvement plan, whether that involves reworking marketing efforts, streamlining operations or offering refresher training for staff. Open communication fosters trust and allows both parties to act quickly and effectively.
“We’re always encouraging franchisees to share what’s working for them, and as a brand, we’re constantly learning from each other and evolving,” Groom said.
Consistent performance monitoring starts with identifying the right metrics. Common KPIs across franchise systems include:
These indicators provide a clear picture of how each location is performing compared to brand benchmarks or fellow franchisees.
"We keep a close eye on KPIs like monthly revenue, product sales and purchase volume to get a clear picture of how each franchisee, and the system as a whole, is performing,” Groom said. “These numbers help us identify trends, celebrate growth and offer targeted support when needed.”
Having a performance review system in place allows franchisors to stay connected to each location and respond proactively to trends. Monthly or quarterly check-ins create natural opportunities for conversation around goals, areas of improvement and shared successes. These reviews can take the form of calls, site visits or dashboard reports — the key is consistency and follow-up.
“While we pride ourselves on having an open-door policy where franchisees can reach out anytime to brainstorm, strategize or work through challenges, we also have structured systems in place to support performance and growth,” Groom said. “Our director of operations actively monitors performance trends across the system and regularly reaches out to franchisees to talk through both struggles and wins.”
She added that, at the start of each year, Frios personally connects with every owner to review their revenue and key metrics from the previous year, and help set realistic, growth-oriented goals for the year ahead.
“We also have dashboards that track revenue, pops sold and inventory purchased, giving us a clear, real-time view of where each business stands,” Groom said. “These insights allow us to offer relevant support and guidance throughout the year.”
Performance data isn’t just about identifying what’s going wrong; it also reveals what’s working well. Franchisors can use that data to spotlight high-performing franchisees, share best practices and replicate winning strategies across the system.
“We use performance data as a tool to identify both challenges and opportunities across the network,” Groom said. “We can spot trends, compare seasonality and highlight what’s working in different markets.”
On the flip side, when red flags emerge, the same data becomes a diagnostic tool to address issues early and keep locations on track.
“When someone’s performance dips or deviates from their usual trend, it gives us an opportunity to step in, connect and troubleshoot together,” Groom said. “The data helps us be proactive and personalized in how we support each franchisee. Ultimately, the goal is to use data not just for reporting, but to spark collaboration, strategy and continuous improvement across the system.”
In a strong franchise system, performance monitoring and operational support go hand in hand. Together, they create a framework that empowers franchisees, drives long-term success and protects the brand as a whole.
Growing and selling franchises is difficult. No great franchise did it alone. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisors grow their franchises with confidence? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and see what we can do for you.
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