On the hunt for a franchisee? Take a look at your own employees

Running successful franchises is not an easy task — you can expect a lot of blood, sweat and tears.

But there is one tip which will ensure all that hard work comes to fruition: find high-performing staff with an open mindset who are truly invested in your business.

And more often than not, the right staff to run your franchises already work for you.  

If your staff are loyal to you, they’ll remain loyal to the franchise model. Your people are the franchise and they need to have a passion for what they do.

When these potential franchisees have already been working for you for some time, they have the same goals and values — and that’s key to franchise success.

According to the Franchise Council of Australia, there are about 79,000 operating franchises in this country. And while many do fail, this tried-and-true method has resulted in the opposite outcome.

As your business grows, identify results-driven employees with an open mindset. Mindset is critical — it’s as important as the skill.

Successful franchisees will possess the capacity to grow. We all need to realise we don’t know everything, be able to accept criticism, challenge our thought processes, and learn from our mistakes.

Make your franchise business the cup that holds self-development. We like to use an analogy comparing closed and open pistachios, to highlight the importance of mindset when finding the best franchisees.

If you have an open mindset — the open pistachio — you can overcome any dysfunction within the team and challenge the closed pistachios.

If the mindset is right and someone has reached the top of the ladder in your business, it’s time for them to have their own franchise, so help them with that.

Franchisees who believe in your business model may simply want to upgrade their lifestyle. If they have full faith in the way the business is operated and its purpose, it’s likely they will want to sign up and live their lives running the franchise.

Tips for franchise success

1. Identify potential franchisees from within the business.
2. If a potential franchisee doesn’t have the capital, invest in them. You will get your money back, and more.
3. Find franchisees with purpose, who are open-minded, possess the capacity to grow and want to help themselves.
4. Remember that by improving the lives of franchisees, the franchise will succeed.
5. Implement training programs with clear guidelines on work culture and values.

Also, when choosing franchisees, capital shouldn’t be an issue if the person is right for the role.

Look to help people who want to help themselves, and if their all-important mindset is right, help them to buy into the business.

Improving the lives of franchisees will lead to success for the business as a whole and that is what will make you different to most other franchises.

A franchise won’t succeed without a team. Swear by them, put your heart and soul into them, and they will return the same. Work with the person as an individual to make the franchise successful.

Qualities to look for when recruiting potential franchisees

An open mind set

They have the capacity to grow, a desire to learn and a can-do, positive attitude. They learn from mistakes, accept criticism and are grateful for challenges.

Loyalty

They believe in and are passionate about the business model, focus on employees and are willing to help other staff build successful lives.

Resilience and perseverance

They are willing to try something different and work hard and consistently in both good and bad times.

Confidence in the brand

They have a passion for the industry, an ability to follow a clear and genuine business purpose that adds value to customers, focus on the mission and not the money, and won’t be afraid of expansion.

Open lines of communication

They take responsibility for actions and results, and have the ability to convey plans to move ahead.

Proven time management skills

They have the ability to adjust their lifestyle to meet business commitments, yet are aware of the importance of work-life balance.

Supportive partners and family

This is essential in times of pressure when back-up is required most, and better still, these partners and family members will share a passion for the business and are hands-on.

Make sure you’re picky in the selection process. Have a personal profile model mapped out for a ‘typical’ franchisee, as operating a franchise is a long-term commitment.

In this together

Successful franchisees will avoid debate or arguments, because nobody wins. There’s a new way of doing business, it’s less about the competition, separation and survival, and more about collaboration and community.

We need to be ourselves and opportunities with business will arise, it’s not about destroying the competition. The more together we are, the more likely we will stay together.

And remember to sustain longevity in business it’s essential to be picky when recruiting — if potential franchisees don’t already work for you, look for a person in the right industry with the right meaning.

For example, a chef who is passionate about food. We choose beauty professionals who have a passion for beauty — they love what they do. If you love what you do, you’re not going to burn out, and you can do it forever.

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