One of the benefits of investing in a bakery franchise instead of starting a bakery from scratch is that your level of involvement can vary. If you’re starting your own bakery, you’re most likely going to have to work long hours baking and selling baked goods on your own. You’ll be in the trenches, so to speak.
While you can do this with your bakery franchise as well, many owners choose to take care of the more managerial aspects of the bakery instead, and hire people to do the baking and selling in the store. In some cases, franchise owners take an even more passive role by hiring management to run the store.
Of course, most franchise owners will want to be actively involved in their bakery franchise. For the most part, you’ll have no choice but to be actively involved leading up to the opening. After all, you’ll need to take the training and education courses offered by the franchisor in addition to finding a location, setting up the store, hiring the staff, and marketing the store locally. Once you’ve opened your store, you may want to continue being actively involved. Following are four ways that you can continue to be more involved in your bakery franchise:
1. Show Up Every Day at Your Bakery Franchise
Don’t be an absentee owner. Instead, show up every day to speak with the employees that are managing your store. By getting to know them better, you’ll make them feel more comfortable about how the store is being run—and they’ll be more likely to share any concerns they may have with you. In fact, try visiting the store every morning to go over how the business is going and to find out whether they have concerns or feedback that they want to share. This kind of communication won’t just help your business, it will help strengthen your relationship with your staff, because they’ll feel more appreciated.
2.Work Alongside Your Staff Once in a While
Get down in the trenches and work with your employees on the front lines so that you can see what their work entails. This will give you a chance to get to know some of your other employees, which they will appreciate. Employees that feel appreciated are more likely to work harder. Additionally, your management will see that you care about all aspects of the business and that the franchise isn’t just another revenue stream for you.
3. Get to Know the Other Business Owners Around You
Meet some of the owners of the businesses located in your area. Networking with them could open up some marketing opportunities in the future. A friendly relationship could even result in them sending over customers and vice versa. If other owners know you, your business will be considered more of an established fixture in the community.
4. Get Involved with the Community
Look for ways to give back to the community. For example, sponsor a local high school sports team or get together with other business owners to hold a charitable event. By giving back to the community, you’ll ensure that your business becomes a stronger part of it—and as a result, that you yourself will become a stronger part of it.
Owners who are more involved with their franchises not only have more control over what’s going on in their store, they also tend to have a stronger feeling of accomplishment, as well. If you’re interested in investing in a bakery franchise, then be sure to contact us at Great American Cookies today.
