1851

Wildfires have put parts of the western U.S. in a dismal situation. Denver, Colorado had the <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2021/08/07/denver-air-pollution-ranking/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=west-coast-wildfires-cause-strain-on-franchises-2716467" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">worst air quality in the world</a> a few weeks ago, and <a href="https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/fires/article253289303.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=west-coast-wildfires-cause-strain-on-franchises-2716467" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">highways are being closed over large stretches of California.</a>The strain from wildfires is proving difficult to navigate for franchise brands, which are already contending with a <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/03a693a7-0445-41dd-a7f3-c1b6f162e5ef?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=west-coast-wildfires-cause-strain-on-franchises-2716467" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">global supply chain shortage</a> and must now try to engage customers who may be unable or unwilling to even leave their homes.&nbsp;According to the Denver Post, the city’s skyline was hard to see from <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2021/08/08/denver-weather-sunday-smoke-air-quality-wildfires/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=west-coast-wildfires-cause-strain-on-franchises-2716467" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">just a few miles away this weekend</a>, and people are concerned about inhaling the poor air for extended periods of time.&nbsp;With such extreme weather conditions, franchises are yet again placed in a situation where they must adapt to meet customers on their level and continue finding revenue.&nbsp;Wildfires are nothing new in the U.S. In 2020, a <a href="https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=west-coast-wildfires-cause-strain-on-franchises-2716467" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">record-breaking heat wave</a> sparked a handful of West Coast blazes, creating a similar effect to what the western U.S. is currently experiencing. Each new wildfire season, however, brings a new set of challenges. It’s difficult to predict when and where a fire will start, how far it will spread, how long it will take to contain and what franchises will be directly impacted.A series of closed highways makes it even more difficult for some franchisees to continue standard service. Currently, <a href="https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/fires/article253289303.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=west-coast-wildfires-cause-strain-on-franchises-2716467" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">seven major highways in California are closed</a> due to wildfires. Portions of Interstate 70 in western Colorado could be closed for weeks due to a <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2021/08/06/glenwood-canyon-mudslides-i-70-cdot-photos/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=west-coast-wildfires-cause-strain-on-franchises-2716467" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">mudslide</a>. These closures are forcing supply chains to navigate into foreign territory, which presents its own set of risks and challenges for companies who rely on regular, consistent delivery.The same franchises that saw success from making long-term pandemic adjustments may find short-term success as more people stay home because of extreme weather conditions. Delivery services, enhanced drive-thru services or anything to prevent people from breathing in poor air quality is suddenly in high demand.As the summer months give way to a cooler winter season, West Coast wildfires will hopefully subside. Business strategy will return to normal, at least, but a seasonal inconvenience is enough to keep franchises on their toes and prepare for future unprecedented events.

West-Coast Wildfires Cause Strain on Franchises

1851 Franchise

Air quality has reached dangerous levels in the western U.S., and franchises are being forced to make short-term consumer adjustments.

west-coast-wildfires-cause-strain-on-franchises

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

West-Coast Wildfires Cause Strain on Franchises

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS