Chris Downs’ Post

Ever envisioned owning a thriving pizza franchise? Let us guide you through the seamless journey of becoming a proud Smokin' Oak Pizza franchisee. 🛣️🌟 1️⃣ Intro Call: Connect with our development team in a personalized introductory call. 2️⃣ Attend Webinar: Immerse yourself in the world of Smokin' Oak Pizza through our informative franchise webinar. 3️⃣ Document Review: Explore the details in our Franchise Disclosure Document for a comprehensive understanding. 4️⃣ Management Call: Engage in a productive call with our experienced Franchise Management Team. 5️⃣ Discovery Day: Experience the unique atmosphere of Smokin' Oak Pizza by participating in Discovery Day at one of our locations. 6️⃣ Sign Agreement: Solidify your commitment by executing the Franchise Agreement. 7️⃣ Site Selection: Kickstart the journey by launching site selection, architectural design, and construction. 8️⃣ Marketing: Create a buzz with a targeted marketing campaign to ensure a dazzling grand opening. 9️⃣ Training: Benefit from hands-on, on-site training and ongoing support at your franchise location. 🔟 Grand Opening: Make a splash with an unforgettable Grand Opening Day at your bran... #SmokinOakPizza #SmokinOakPizzaFranchise #PizzaFranchise #FoodFranchise #RestaurantFranchise #BusinessOpportunity

Over 1,500. That's the number of inquiries we've received, asking to franchise with Pepper Lunch Restaurants in the last 12 months. Many of them were capitalized. Experienced. Raving fans of the brand. And very nice people. But only 35 units were awarded in 2023. 10 units in Arizona 10 units in parts of Florida 5 units in Utah 10 units in Hawaii 35 is no small number on its own. But 4 franchise groups is low for the amount of interest we get. Why is this? Pepper Lunch has spent 30 years building a global brand that customers love and trust. We've been around long enough, opened enough stores (513, as of today), and generate enough cash flow - to be immune to hype cycles or short-term thinking. What matters more to us are: • Multiunit franchisees who see themselves as profitable stewards. And • Being here for a very long time. If you or someone you know fit this description, comment below or send me a DM.

Excited to announce multiple franchise resales system wide last week including Rosati's Pizza in Arizona, Marco's Pizza (Marco's Franchising, LLC) in Michigan and Hungry Howie's Pizza in Georgia. Wow! Seems like it was a big Pizza Week. Our relationships with brands like these allow them to achieve net restaurant growth. They are retaining and transferring existing units with the help of We Sell Restaurants while their development team focuses on new unit sales. If you are going to be at the International Franchise Association Superbowl of events next week in Arizona, let's talk about a resale strategy as part of your commitment to responsible franchising. There are many reasons you want to focus on this strategy including: ➡ The National Restaurant Association's 2024 State of the Industry reported that 38% of all operators say they are not profitable. As a franchisor, responsible franchising means you need to provide a way out for those who are not successful. ➡ America is aging and a "Silver Tsunami" is upon us. 10,000 Baby Boomer each DAY are turning 65 between now and 2030. If you don't have an exit plan for these boomers, they may simply shut down when the lease and franchise term are over, resulting in negative net restaurant growth. ➡ It is taking longer than ever to launch new units meaning your store counts on this year's FDD may reflect "Sold not Open" at higher counts. Don't let the total sum of your units also be negatively impacted by closures or doors that go dark. ➡ Failure rates of existing units will impact financing for new units. Do you know that We Sell Restaurants can work with the SBA to negotiate a "workout" if your franchisee is under water? ➡ Responsible franchising means a brand that is consistent with brand standards. None of us have a crystal ball and the candidate you thought was ideal at Discovery Day may not be working out. This affects the reputation of the brand and other franchisees along with the customer experience. It also impacts validation. Responsible franchising includes offering a path forward and sometimes that means working to help some owners exit. We have the tough conversations, perform free and confidential valuations and help both of you achieve a better outcome. Now that's responsible franchising! Message me to talk about your brand's resale program and I'll look forward to seeing you in Phoenix. #WeSellRestaurants #Restaurants #restaurantindustry #Franchise #ResponsibleFranchising

📢 🍔 We are delighted to announce the newest addition to our team – Jonathan Trapesonian (JT), who's stepping into the role of Head of Franchising & Real Estate. Bringing in 15 years of invaluable experience from Taco Bell, JT boasts an impressive track record. Notably, he has successfully initiated new processes, expanded market planning support for field development, and played a pivotal role in the growth strategy for Taco Bell Cantina. JT's expertise will play a significant role in advancing The Habit's growth and continued success. Welcome aboard, JT! 👏 #franchise 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐮𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝. 𝐉𝐓: I’ve enjoyed 15 years with Yum! Brands, which included four years in finance, and 11 years in real estate development for Taco Bell.  𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥? 𝐉𝐓: I am a massive fan of the product and brand identity. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝?  𝐉𝐓: I have been very blessed in my career to have had great coaches and mentors who encouraged me to make a positive impact on the business. What keeps me motivated is giving others the platform to collaborate and share their ideas of how to take the business to the next level. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦? 𝐉𝐓: The Habit has so much runway to grow. I believe franchising can help us achieve scale, while providing a strong investment to local franchisees across the country.   𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝’𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡?  𝐉𝐓: Franchisees are looking for strong brands with profitable business models to invest in. The Habit’s innovative and high-quality food offering, paired with healthy margins and strong business model, will fuel that brand’s future growth.   𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧?  𝐉𝐓: “Do what you love and be yourself. The rest will work out eventually.” 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐮?  𝐉𝐓: Double Char with Cheese, on a wheat bun.

In franchise law, the recent turbulence in the Papa Johns franchise system offers a textbook example of how NOT to win the consent of franchisees for substantial system-wide changes. To paraphrase, Papa Johns spent a large portion of the previous year persuading its franchisees to reroute an additional 1% of their sales to the central marketing fund in place of a 3% contribution to local advertising endeavors. While on the surface this might appear to be a beneficial trade-off, it signifies a seismic shift of control over marketing initiatives from franchisees to the franchisor. This change leaves local marketing co-operatives in the lurch and diminishes franchisees' ability to influence their local markets. Nevertheless, many franchisees accepted the proposal, drawn by the promise of substantial growth spurred on by the bolstering of national advertising efforts and the promise of exciting new additions to the menu. This was meant to kickstart a sales revival following the distress of pandemic-induced downturns. However, in a shocking turn of events, several key executives, including the international head, CFO, and ultimately the CEO, Rob Lynch, exited the company. This rapid succession of departures has cast a pall of uncertainty and disillusionment on those who had hoped for more stability in the aftermath of the proposed changes. And while Papa Johns unveiled a fresh marketing slogan and a new product offering, the franchisees find themselves facing the question of whether this will result in a return that justifies the relinquishment of their local marketing autonomy. With the pizza industry already fiercely competitive and the added pressure of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, the lesson to be learned here for franchisors is twofold. First, maintaining a stable, transparent leadership team is paramount, especially in the face of significant changes. Second, before attempting to precipitate major system alterations, ensure franchisees' concerns are addressed comprehensively and, most importantly, that they genuinely buy into the vision. I advise franchisors to make sure they have a thorough understanding of their franchisees' needs and concerns before implementing major changes. Franchisees are more than just stakeholders; they are partners and their voices should not be taken lightly. What are your thoughts on this issue? #franchise #franchising

Franchising offers entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to leverage established brand recognition and industry authority, along with proven business models, while tapping into local markets. I was recently featured in an article published by 1851 Franchise, where I gave my take on the dynamics between local versus national franchise marketing. Franchise brands are responsible for providing franchisees with proven marketing playbooks so they can focus on execution and not the time and resource-consuming process of developing their own local marketing strategies. Empower franchisees to execute! While national franchise marketing is crucial for building industry authority and brand consistency, local marketing is the key to driving foot traffic and fostering community loyalty. The two work hand-in-hand.  Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gxs7v2sQ  Ready to become the emerging franchise brand everyone is talking about?  Follow for more proven strategies to make your brand the highlight of everyone’s conversations.

🚀 Exploring the Billion-Dollar World of Fast Food Franchises! 🍔🍟 Together with Rgand, we continue to report on the latest trends in the restaurant industry and food tech. Today, we're diving into the bustling $289 billion fast food franchise industry, where giants like Wingstop, Scooter’s Coffee, Jersey Mike’s, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe are reshaping the market. 1. Wingstop impresses with efficient operations and strong growth, drawing attention with celebrity franchisees like rapper Rick Ross. 2. Scooter’s Coffee stands out as America's fastest-growing quick-service franchise, offering significant growth with competitive fees. 3. Jersey Mike’s combines rigorous training and effective marketing to deliver solid returns on investment, making its franchise selection tougher than Harvard. 4. Tropical Smoothie Cafe captivates with consistent growth and a fresh tropical menu, now expanding under Blackstone's ownership. Dive deeper into these dynamic franchises and uncover the opportunities in fast food franchising: https://lnkd.in/dyzbBtaa 

"Fascinating Secrets of Selecting the Right Franchisor" Franchisor's Reputation: Behind the allure of a successful restaurant franchise lies the crucial factor of the franchisor's reputation. A franchisor's track record, management style, and commitment to quality play pivotal roles in determining the franchise's potential for success. Initial Investment and Ongoing Costs: While the initial investment might grab headlines, it's the ongoing costs that truly reveal the financial dynamics of running a restaurant franchise. From royalty fees to marketing expenses, understanding the full spectrum of financial commitments is key to long-term profitability. Franchise Agreement and Terms: Deep within the stacks of legal documents lies the franchise agreement, a labyrinth of terms and conditions that can make or break a franchisee's dreams. From territorial rights to renewal clauses, every aspect of the agreement demands meticulous scrutiny before signing on the dotted line. Performance of Existing Franchisees: The success stories (and failures) of existing franchisees serve as invaluable insights into the realities of running a particular restaurant franchise. Analyzing their performance metrics, operational challenges, and growth trajectories can provide a roadmap for aspiring franchisees. Location Selection: Behind every bustling restaurant franchise is a carefully chosen location that seamlessly blends visibility, accessibility, and demographic appeal. Understanding the nuances of site selection, including foot traffic patterns and competitive landscapes, can significantly influence a franchise's bottom line. Exit Strategy: Amidst the excitement of starting a restaurant franchise, few ponder the possibility of an exit strategy. Whether it's selling the franchise, passing it down to family, or gracefully bowing out, having a well-defined exit plan ensures a smooth transition when the time comes to move on. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Navigating the labyrinth of legal and regulatory requirements is a perpetual challenge for restaurant franchises. From food safety standards to employment laws, staying abreast of the ever-evolving landscape of regulations is essential for safeguarding the franchise's reputation and viability. #Franchise #Franchising #Business #Restaurants #franchisor

As you grow your franchise, you’ll encounter common challenges like building relationships with new franchisees, opening more locations, and expanding your franchisee support assets. But learning how to run a successful franchise doesn't have to be a trial-and-error process. In this full article, we discuss which questions franchise business owners should ask potential franchisees before the relationship begins, some of the characteristics of an ideal franchisor-franchisee relationship, and how franchisors can provide the support franchisees need to succeed. Check it out now. ⬇️