What Franchise Issue 21.1

• You’re working in the business more than on it . Limited time for strategy, innovation, and evaluation can stall progress. • Operational quality is slipping. Standards of service and brand compliance may falter due to insufficient support, communication, or auditing. • Franchise recruitment is on track, but slow . Not enough time for prospects can create bottlenecks that hinder growth and prevent meeting key milestones. Once you recognise the right point to expand your franchise team, what should you look for in a franchise manager or operations lead? • Management experience in a multi-unit business environment and a proven track record of enforcing and maintaining brand standards. • Strong leadership and relationship-building skills to gain trust and respect from franchisees. Franchise experience is helpful, but industry knowledge may be more relevant. • Some franchisors promote an existing management team member into this role, but anyone in the position must understand that supporting independently owned businesses differs significantly frommanaging employees. • Confidence in accountability . A franchise manager must be able to hold franchisees accountable, ensure system compliance, and encourage sharing of best practices. Investing in the right franchise team at the right time sets the foundation for sustainable growth, operational consistency, and a strong franchise network. Meet the experts Charlie Dickson Charlie Dickson is a franchise consultant with extensive experience in developing networks. He nowworks with Ashtons to build, launch, and support successful franchise networks both in the UK and internationally. Rebecca Newenham Rebecca Newenham is the founder of Get Ahead VA, an award-winning outsourcing agency, and a qualified franchise consultant. She helps business leaders grow and scale through franchising, and joined Ashtons in 2022. Rob Hall Rob Hall is an experienced franchise consultant, working with global franchise brands to support strategic growth, directly coaching franchisees, and drawing on senior leadership experience in banking and as part-owner of two businesses. 39 WHAT-FRANCHISE.COM Ana lys i s | FEATURE