1851

Before COVID-19, having a strong digital presence and the ability to easily provide prospective buyers with information virtually was ideal, but brands were easily able to continue moving forward without it. Now, it has become crucial that franchise brands step up their digital game if they still want to have a fighting chance of capturing the attention of prospective buyers during the coronavirus outbreak.Tom Parks is the CEO of <a href="https://premierfranchisesolutions.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=ask-a-millennial-franchising-during-a-quarantine-2712819" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Premier Franchise Solutions</a>, a consulting firm that helps put franchise prospects in front of a variety of opportunities. While he points out that he’s in the oldest bracket of millennials at 38, he has been advising clients on how to be on the digital forefront for years. Now, since the national pandemic has spread, Parks has been implementing even stronger campaigns and awareness plays for his brands.According to Parks, now is the time to pay attention, communicate and work with the quality leads who are raising their hands and showing that they want to be franchisees.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We’re seeing what everyone is seeing—lead flow is down slightly, but the quality of leads is through the roof,” said Parks. “COVID-19 has forced us to tweak our systems and pivot. Discovery Day won't be happening now so we are asking ourselves how to move the discovery process online. We are looking for ways to use technology in our favor and build personal relationships through video conferencing and video tours.”’To that end, Parks has already begun implementing some of these practices, putting on a virtual Discovery Day with one of his clients, <a href="https://shawarma.press/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=ask-a-millennial-franchising-during-a-quarantine-2712819" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Shawarma Press</a>. It appears to have been a success, with the candidate seriously considering moving forward.“One of the things that resonates with people so much on Discovery Day is that they get to taste, touch and feel the vibe of a corporate culture or legacy location,” said Parks. “Candidates get a chance to meet face to face, shake hands and break bread with the founders of the organization or top level management leading the system. The virtual experience is very different because prospects can't taste or touch, but they still need to feel it. In franchise development, everything starts on an emotional level before it dips down to intellectual level. At Discovery Day, franchisors want to bring candidates back up to an emotional level and really focus on building the relationship.”With the removal of that “in-person” feeling, Parks knew he needed to recreate the emotion of Discovery Day the best he could digitally. Team members at Shawarma Press discussed their hobbies, shared their passions and talked about what they did in their free time pre-COVID-19.&nbsp;“The reason we chose to move forward with a virtual Discovery Day was because the prospect felt serious, was promising and had the right credentials,” said Sawsan Abublan, CEO at Shawarma Press. “It's definitely not the same as an in-person Discovery Day, but it gave the prospect a good understanding of the brand. Even when virtual, a walkthrough ensures that the prospect is able to see the in’s and out’s of the opportunity and bring the concept to life. Pictures often don't do the restaurant justice.”Abublan considers the virtual Discovery Day a good, temporary option during the current situation, but one that can never truly replicate the experience of being inside a restaurant and tasting the food.&nbsp;Still, virtual Discovery Days have the potential to offer franchisors valuable information regarding the franchise sales process. Prior to COVID-19, Parks already offered virtual walkthroughs of the franchise brochure for clients and was able to document in real time where a franchise prospect left off in video content or reading material, as well as how much time they spent on each segment of different online learning applications.&nbsp;According to Parks, premium video content is another factor that has begun to play an even larger role in the franchise sales process since COVID-19.“I’m encouraging clients to record high-quality video tours of locations or corporate headquarters in order to send them to editors who can produce professional looking content for Discovery Day,” Parks said. “If my client is a QSR concept, I recommend filming in the kitchen in order to show how food is prepared and the care that goes into it. This kind of content has the potential to really resonate with people.”&nbsp;Another existing technology solution that Parks is pleased to already have in motion is a process automated through CRM. For example, Parks notes that it is important to have automated text responses, email campaigns and phone calls. That way, regardless of where a prospect is in the country, the team can easily stay on top of leads during this national crisis.Parks ends by challenging the misconception that millennials are lazy, entitled and usually at the end of a variety of complaints from other generations. “Millennials are the first generation that grew up with the internet in the household,” he said. “They had google at their fingertips and wanted to get info as soon as possible. They’re the generation that lived through the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression in 2008. Now, many are franchisors themselves and facing the second biggest struggle in their professional career all over again. They can pivot quickly and stay ahead of the curve when it comes to technology, which will allow them to keep this engine moving forward.”

Ask a Millennial: Franchising During a Quarantine

1851 Franchise

Tom Parks, CEO of Premier Franchise Solutions, spoke with 1851 Franchise about how the 38-year-old has pivoted his business strategy during COVID-19.

ask-a-millennial-franchising-during-a-quarantine

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

Ask a Millennial: Franchising During a Quarantine

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS