1851

The franchise industry is built upon the philosophy that once you find a concept and a business model that works, replication is the key to success. Similarly, there is opportunity for emerging franchise concepts to replicate successful tactics demonstrated by some of the major players in the industry in order to adapt them to their own brands.

We examined four tactics leveraged by some of the largest and fastest growing franchisors in the industry and the lesson emerging franchise concepts can take away and inject into their own 2018 plans.

1.&nbsp;Wendy&rsquo;s &ndash; Create an Interesting Social Voice

McDonald&rsquo;s and Burger King may have closed out 2017 with higher sales, but Wendy&rsquo;s has been the burger brand building the most buzz lately. That has largely been due to the more aggressive tone the red head-fronted brand has taken with <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/306259?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=imitation-is-the-highest-form-of-franchise-flattery-2705732" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">their social media strategy</a> in the last year and a half, specifically on Twitter where they have gained a tremendous following and generated conversation with their humor, wit and savage commentary.

Emerging Franchisor Takeaway: Be bold with your social media voice. Today&rsquo;s social media consumer doesn&rsquo;t want to be sold &ndash; they want to be engaged and entertained. But this has to be done in concert with what your voice is as a brand. Lots of copycats have emerged employing a similar wisecracking, sassy tone &ndash; and it only works if that reflects the core of your brand. A unique approach to your voice on social that&rsquo;s true to your mission will help you stand out in today&rsquo;s crowded social media sphere.

2. Pet Supplies Plus &ndash; Identify Chances for Proprietary Retail Products

Pet Supplies Plus landed on the Entrepreneur Magazine &ldquo;Franchise 500&rdquo; at number 32 in 2018. One interesting offering from the company is their <a href="https://www.petage.com/pet-supplies-plus-introduces-redford-naturals-dry-cat-food-line/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=imitation-is-the-highest-form-of-franchise-flattery-2705732" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">exclusive, in-house pet food line, Redford Naturals (which they recently expanded with a line of dry cat food)</a>. The line is sold in the company&rsquo;s more than 400 locations, an additional revenue stream where the brand maintains full ownership.

Emerging Franchisor Takeaway: Regardless of your industry or business model, utilizing proprietary products can increase your bottom line and provide an opportunity to expand the value of the brand. In restaurants, there may be opportunities to leverage popular sauces, seasonings and more as a retail line. Similarly, in more service-based concepts, there may be lateral retail opportunities to explore in partnership or licensing with companies producing your standards product.

3. Valvoline Instant Oil Change &ndash; Continue to Foster Growth with Existing Franchisees

In September, <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170907005172/en/Valvoline-Announces-New-Development-Agreements-Franchisees-Acquisition?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=imitation-is-the-highest-form-of-franchise-flattery-2705732" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Valvoline Instant Oil Change announced franchise deals with seven of their largest franchisees</a> to the tune of 160 scheduled new locations &ndash; including Henley Enterprises, Inc., which opened the first franchise location in 1989 and has grown to more than 200 locations since then.&nbsp;

Emerging Franchisor Takeaway: Don&rsquo;t forget the value of your original franchisees and continue to foster steady growth from within with your existing network. Brands that reach the level of Valvoline Instant Oil Change do so by making smart partnerships and then giving those franchisees the support and tools to grow. While you&rsquo;re looking to expand with new franchise prospects, always make sure to engage your existing franchisees and proactively look for ways to motivate and drive their expansion.

4. Edible Arrangements &ndash; Find A Holiday, Season or Event and &ldquo;Own&rdquo; It

In a <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/outside-insights/edible-arrangements-ceo-how-you-win-valentines-day?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=imitation-is-the-highest-form-of-franchise-flattery-2705732" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">recent article in QSR Magazine</a> by Tariq Farid, founder and CEO of Edible Arrangements, the leader of the 1,300 unit company said that Valentine&rsquo;s Day is their Super Bowl. Aside from bringing on nearly 30,000 temporary hires for the boom season leading up to the big day of love, he added that there is careful planning, communication and operational support for the company to maximize the value of the busy holiday.

Emerging Franchisor Takeaway: It&rsquo;s very easy when you&rsquo;re a smaller brand with limited resources and staffing for franchisees and employees within the system to view boom periods, holidays or events as a nuisance rather than an opportunity. The key is to make sure that as a leader in the brand&rsquo;s success, you&rsquo;ve carefully plotted out the strategy and plan to leverage those holidays, seasons and events to create huge win moments for your company and for the franchisees. But taking advantage of these booms just one year isn&rsquo;t enough. Build on them year-over-year. Analyze the successes, failures and areas where you might have expanded your impact and thus generated bigger sales. Incorporate that into the plans for next year and continue to build out your ownership of those moments.

Imitation is the Highest Form of Franchise Flattery

1851 Franchise

Recent News from Four Established Brands with Takeaways That Can Be Leveraged by Emerging Brands

imitation-is-the-highest-form-of-franchise-flattery

The Cleaning Authority

Franchise Journal Magazine: The Cleaning Authority Sets the Standard in Residential Cleaning

cleaning-authority-franchise-journal-feature

TruBlue Home Service Ally

Build a Business That Supports Your Lifestyle Goals With TruBlue Home Service Ally Franchise

 trublue-home-service-ally-lifestyle-franchise-success

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Photo of Layne's Chicken Fingers restaurant with "Now Open" inflatable on roof

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Opening Blueprint Drives Success From Day One

franchise-opening-playbook

Right at Home

Veterans, Army, Navy, Right at Home franchisees, Veterans Day

Veterans Excel as Right at Home Franchisees: Here's Why

veterans-in-franchising-right-at-home-success

Why This Corporate McDonald’s Rep Decided To Open His Own Franchise With The Cleaning Authority

kent-lewis-franchise-success

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

houses, Why Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

Why the Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

how-franchises-outperform-independent-business-2025-tech-data

Photo of Happinest Brands teams standing together in front of branded vehicles

Happinest Brands Continues Strong 2025 Trajectory With Major Q3 Growth and Strategic Wins

happinest-brands-q3-franchise-growth

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown - 1851 Franchise

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown

franchise-community-support-shutdown

Slim Chickens Opens R&D Center at World Headquarters To Drive Menu Innovation

slim-chickens-rd-center-fayetteville

Nearly 40% of Americans Are Eating Out Less as High Prices Redefine Dining Habits

nearly-40-of-americans-are-eating-out-less-as-high-prices-redefine-dining-habits

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

Photo of group of dogs standing together in day care facility

Top Pet Boarding and Day Care Franchise Opportunities for 2025

top-pet-boarding-daycare-franchises

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

image of michael panos and michel panos, owners of mellow mushroom in Atlanta

The Panos Family’s Role in Preserving Mellow Mushroom’s Character — and Expanding in Atlanta

mellow-mushroom-franchise-panos-restaurant-group-metro-atlanta

Imitation is the Highest Form of Franchise Flattery

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS