Craig Derene’s Post

𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐈𝐬 𝐄𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲? Just checked out this Franchise Wire article on the big trends for 2024, and wow—some serious shifts are coming. I’m all in on these changes—they’re exactly what we need to make our systems stronger and more dynamic. 💪 Are we about to be left in the dust, or is it time to shake things up and rethink how we do business? 🤔 From embracing new tech to revamping franchisee support, it’s clear that staying the same just won’t cut it. What’s your take? Ready to challenge the old ways, or do you think some trends are just hype? Let’s get the conversation going! Drop your thoughts below! 💬🔥 #FranchiseTalk #Innovation #FutureOfFranchising #IndustryTrends https://lnkd.in/ev4yXcxi ---

PACK & SEND has a long history of tech investment for the benefit of franchisees and customers. And the latest innovation is an exciting resource that franchise partners can leverage to build their business. “It is one of the enablers we implemented to help franchisees as part of our strategy ‘Sell, Deliver, Grow’. This focuses on increasing our footprint, customer base and franchise partner profitability in a challenging economic environment,” Nicholas says. https://lnkd.in/g7P2CAJU

If you've ever had to change technology "mid-air" 🛫 as a business owner or an employee, you likely know how overwhelming the implementation period is to get up to speed on routine tasks and all of the bells and whistles. I am currently in the process of doing this exact thing right now and truth be told, I would rather have a colonoscopy than focus on this! 😣 While it is the right decision, this is when I wish I was a franchise owner and not an independent business owner! Having spent 20+ years supporting franchisees across multiple brands, I wholeheartedly understand the value of having a corporate support team that invests time and capital into researching vendors and automation solutions for their franchisees and a network of owners available anytime for peer-to-peer mentoring! 🤝 There has been quite a shift in recent years with technology and franchising. I have a front row seat with reputable brands that are using incredible solutions to streamline operations and sales efforts allowing owners to differentiate themselves from the competition and come out of the gate strong! I came across this article today that shines a light on this exact topic and I am linking it below. 📣 Reach out anytime if you would like to learn more! https://lnkd.in/gSmJvwy9

If you know me, you know that fostering a culture of innovation has always been something that has been so important. It's essential for franchises to create an environment where new ideas are encouraged and rewarded. This approach leads to sustainable growth. https://lnkd.in/g2hwfMZ6

Embracing innovation isn't just a choice – it's a necessity for thriving in today's fiercely competitive market! In franchising, innovation is the engine driving you forward. It’s what propels your businesses to greater heights, enabling you to outshine competitors in an ever-changing landscape. Embracing innovation isn’t just a choice – it’s a necessity for thriving in today’s fiercely competitive market. Learn from Phillip Archer QFP, Head of Business Planning & Funding at accountancy firm d&t, on how to harness the power of strategic planning to boost efficiency, drive growth, and stay ahead of the competition. Embracing technological advancements, developing flexible business strategies, leveraging data for informed decision-making and cultivating a culture of innovation are crucial elements for franchise success.  🔔Subscribe to the UK’s leading franchise news platform below: https://lnkd.in/erkK6PTm 📚Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e8kSCqus #BusinessPlanning #Innovation #FranchiseGrowth #EliteFranchiseMagazine #StrategicPlanning #BusinessSuccess #Entrepreneurship #FranchiseDevelopment

LYB I.T. Solutions is at the forefront of franchise management technology, unveiling "Franchise Flow," a unique platform for franchisors and multi-branch businesses, integrating 21 smart features for seamless operations. It includes automated inventory, advanced sales tracking, and comprehensive purchasing systems, revolutionizing franchise management. To READ MORE, check out the article below ⬇ #franchise #management #software #innovation #operations #scalability #efficiency #inventory #sales #purchasing

Harmonyze is developing AI agents to assist franchisors in analyzing unstructured data, enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency Franchising offers a growth path beyond acquisitions or organic expansion, with over 800,000 U.S. franchises rising yearly, per Statista However, franchising a business, which involves licensing a business model and brand to an external operator, necessitates significant documentation, […] #AI #dataanalysis #Franchisors

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending a webinar hosted by Restaurant Business Online and Olo on 'Three Growth Strategies to Help Emerging Brands Thrive'. I really enjoyed hearing about the experiences of Leon Davoyan, EMBA, Scott Lawton, and Hillary Holmes as they launched successful brands like bartaco and Dave's Hot Chicken. This is another example of why the franchise space is so amazing. We have industry leaders who are now giving back to those in shoes they once wore by sharing what worked and what didn't as they established their brands. The discussion surrounding what technology to use and how you should evaluate partners interested me the most. Bringing on the right vendor partners, especially tech partners, is crucial to the success of your franchise brand. Leon offered some great insights into some of the questions you, as a franchisor, should be asking vendors during the evaluation process: 1.) Is the brand established in the industry, and do they have a commitment to innovation? 2.) Are these partners going to grow with you, will they be in it in the long run? 3.) What will the impact of implementing this tech be on my brand, and how can I involve people at each level in the decision making/testing process? Leon also states "The cost of changing out technology is really heavy on your ability to innovate". Essentially, when you make the final decision on your new partner, be entirely sure that it is the right partner for you, so that your growth isn't inhibited. As you evaluate new or existing partnerships in tech, I urge you to keep these three questions in mind. #franchising #growth #emergingbrands #technology #partnerships

As we step into 2024, the franchising landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by tech advancements, shifting consumer preferences, and a dynamic global economy. Here are the key trends shaping the future of franchising. #Franchising2024 #TechTrends #Sustainability #BusinessInnovation #FutureOfFranchising #Entrepreneurship #AI #Automation #GlobalExpansion #BusinessResilience

I recently came across an insightful article titled "The Future of Franchising: 2024 FCXC Conference Mixes in Large Measure of AI," and it sheds light on the critical role AI is poised to play in the franchising landscape. I wanted to share some key takeaways from this, as the impact of artificial intelligence in this field cannot be overstated. 🤖 𝟏. 𝐀𝐈’𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: AI is not just a buzzword; it’s becoming integral to franchising operations. From automating supply chain logistics to enhancing customer interaction, AI is helping businesses run more smoothly and make better, data-driven decisions. 𝟐. 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚-𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: Franchisors now have access to unprecedented amounts of data, thanks to AI. By harnessing this data, they can better predict customer preferences, adjust marketing strategies, and drive more efficient operations, ultimately leading to improved bottom lines. 𝟑. 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: AI is transforming how franchises interact with their customers. Through the use of personalized marketing, AI-powered chatbots, and tailored recommendations, franchises can offer more relevant and engaging customer experiences, driving loyalty and retention. 𝟒. 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲: AI is helping to streamline internal processes. Whether it’s automating repetitive tasks or forecasting stock levels more accurately, franchises are becoming more efficient and able to reduce costs significantly by minimizing human error and optimizing workflows. 𝟓. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐈 𝐀𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: While AI offers significant advantages, integrating it into existing operations requires careful planning and investment. Franchisors need to balance the cost of AI technology with its long-term benefits and ensure their teams are properly trained to maximize its potential. This article highlights the direction in which franchising is headed—driven by innovation and technology. For anyone looking to stay ahead in the franchising world, it’s an essential read. You can explore the article in full here ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/gcHdHmst ⚡What are your thoughts on AI shaping the future of the franchise industry? I'd love to hear your perspectives. #futureoffranchising #franchisegrowth #aiadoption #businessautomation #artificialintelligence #businessinnovation