1851

Custom-burger franchise <a href="https://www.thecounterfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-the-counter-trains-franchisees-beyond-brand-skills-and-knowledge-2708668" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Counter</a>&reg; has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the gourmet burger segment by providing customers with quality, variety and top-tier service. The 39-unit brand has been able to consistently deliver this unmatched guest experience by placing great emphasis on franchisee education. <a href="https://1851franchise.com/thecounter" target="_blank">The Counter</a> leveraged the backing of parent company Kahala Brands to provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to its franchisees in a classroom setting at the Kahala Training &amp; Education Center (KTEC), where unit owners learn more than just the nuances of the brand&rsquo;s operational model.

&ldquo;The KTEC Classroom Training program is designed to change the way our franchisees think,&rdquo; said Kerri Kudla, VP of Training and Customer Service for The Counter. &ldquo;Of course, we train on brand standards, but understanding how much thinking and decision making shapes behaviors that have huge repercussions in a franchise system has led us to an increased focus on cognitive skills.&rdquo;

The Counter&rsquo;s training approach <a href="https://1851franchise.com/thecounter/the-five-traits-of-franchisees-at-the-counter-2708238" target="_blank">helps evolve franchisees into resilient problem solvers who think on their feet and make quick decisions in their daily operations that support not only their growth, but the growth and strength of the brand</a>. To hone in on these essential skill sets, the brand focuses on a few time-tested business precepts in addition to critical statements about culture. Franchisees are taught to view each challenge and action in their daily operations through the lens of these core precepts to more successfully prioritize and make decisions that support long-term growth.

&ldquo;Things move fast in the restaurant industry,&rdquo; Kudla said. &ldquo;Our training helps franchisees execute brand standards reflexively, but it is our cognitive shaping that helps them avoid impulsive, knee-jerk reactive decisions in their daily operations that can come back to hurt them and the brand,&rdquo; she added.

KTEC Classroom Training is held once per month for new franchisees of all of Kahala&rsquo;s brands, creating maximum possible exposure by giving The Counter franchisees the chance to spend time with and generate ideas and best practices from franchisees of other brands.

&ldquo;Having many brands under the Kahala Brands umbrella creates the opportunity to scale one brands&rsquo; learnings and resources across the others,&rdquo; Kudla said. &ldquo;Franchisees are educated on components designed to support the critical skills and knowledge of their specific brand, while drawing from the strengths, experiences and lessons learned from all brands.&rdquo;

&ldquo;We consistently get positive feedback about our KTEC Classroom Training,&rdquo; said John Wuycheck, Senior VP of Franchise Development for The Counter. &ldquo;Even our operators who sign on with previous franchise experience, who we still require to attend, admit that they learned something new. Everyone comes out of the program energized, stronger and better prepared as franchisees and business owners,&rdquo; he said, adding that many franchisees pick up additional units or add other brands to their business enterprise as a result of their positive KTEC Classroom Training experience.

The Counter franchisees receive continual hands-on support throughout the entire ownership experience. Beyond a three-week in-store training that outlines systems used in each restaurant and KTEC Classroom Training, members of The Counter&rsquo;s operations team conduct on-site training in the week leading up to (and after) opening. Every location is also supported by a Regional Director of Operations, who holds regular brand meetings and is always available to provide on-site support.

Once franchisees understand the ins and outs, it&rsquo;s easy for them to identify how to build from the ground up, Kudla said, from being more profitable, to learning how to grow the business, to marketing, to staff recruitment and training. The brand has also created an online resource hub that franchisees and their teams can access to see or review procedures, receive the latest brand* news, or learn more about topics covered in The Counter&rsquo;s general resource library.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;re always creating micro training modules called &lsquo;Here&rsquo;s Hows&rsquo; that cover a range of skills, from calculating food cost, to safe knife handling, to managing conflict,&rdquo; Kudla said. &ldquo;This library is just one of the resources available to our franchisee communities for ongoing training,&rdquo; she added.

The initial and ongoing support provided by Kahala Brands and The Counter provides franchisees with a thorough knowledge base on which to grow their business. This structured, comprehensive education is a key differentiator for The Counter and indicates the brand&rsquo;s commitment to facilitating the best opportunities for success for each and every person involved with the brand.

&ldquo;I am confident that future The Counter franchisees that go through our complete training program will have access to the tools, skills and knowledge to support their growth&mdash;and from that we&rsquo;ll see continued growth in the brand,&rdquo; Kudla said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&copy;2018 CB Franchise Systems, LLC.&nbsp; All rights reserved.&nbsp; All other trademarks referenced are property of their respective owners. The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise; nor is it directed to the residents of any particular jurisdiction within the U.S. or elsewhere.&nbsp; The following states currently regulate the offer and sale of franchises: CA, HI, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NY, ND, RI, SD, VA, WA, and WI.&nbsp; If you are a resident of one of these states, or of a jurisdiction that has similar requirements, we will not offer you a franchise until we have completed the applicable registration or obtained the exemption from registration, and completed the applicable disclosure requirements.&nbsp; Regardless of what state you reside in, an offering can only be made by a franchise disclosure document.

How The Counter Trains and Supports Franchisees Beyond Brand Skills and Knowledge

1851 Franchise

The Counter’s parent company, Kahala Brands™, employs a comprehensive classroom training program that emphasizes cognitive learning as much as operational learning.

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

How The Counter Trains Franchisees Beyond Brand Skills and Knowledge

how-the-counter-trains-franchisees-beyond-brand-skills-and-knowledge

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Unlocking the Potential: How Much Can You Earn as an Onigilly Franchisee?

unlocking-the-potential-how-much-can-you-earn-as-an-onigilly-franchisee

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno 

Grease, Grit, and Growth: DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno, Nevada

grease-grit-and-growth-dewitts-ignite-new-chapter-for-filta-environmental-kitchen-solutions-in-reno-nevada

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne's Chicken Fingers-50 Unit-Wendy's-Franchisee-June-2025

Why This 50 Unit Wendy’s Franchisee Is Betting on Layne’s for His Next Big Move

wendys-franchisee-expands-with-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

CapitalSpring

CapitalSpring’s Jim Balis Talks Growth, ROI and the Future of Fast Casual on “Rock My Restaurant”

capitalsprings-jim-balis-talks-growth-roi-and-the-future-of-fast-casual-on-rock-my-restaurant

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Ramps Up Growth in First Half of 2025 With Strategic Expansions, Franchise Signings, and New Headquarters

childrens-lighthouse-ramps-up-growth-in-first-half-of-2025-with-strategic-expansions-franchise-signings-and-new-headquarters

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

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

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

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

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

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

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

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

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

Photo of a large group of people standing in a circle, placing hands together in center

Franchise Opportunities for Minorities: Expanding the Franchise Network

franchise-opportunities-for-minorities

Missy Maio - Gong Cha - Top Franchise Marketing Leaders - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Missy Maio — Vice President of Marketing and Global Partnerships, Gong Cha

franchise-marketing-leader-missy-maio-gong-cha

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Love for Dogs Into a Business with Dog Training Elite

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Lifelong Love for Dogs Into a Growing Business with Dog Training Elite

how-this-franchise-consultant-turned-a-lifelong-love-for-dogs-into-a-growing-business-with-dog-training-elite

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

How The Counter Trains Franchisees Beyond Brand Skills and Knowledge

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS