What Franchise Issue 21.1

Bolstered by her recent survey findings and the momentum kickstarted by the inaugural National Franchise Week: Wellbeing (co-hosted with the BFA), Jen Chapman-Boffin, founder of mental health first aid training company Cinder, is on a mission to close the mental health gap. Is franchising doing enough to support wellbeing? 1 / 97% of franchisors say mental health affects business. What does this tell us about mindsets? This figure suggests people are recognising the impact that both poor and positive mental health have on business performance – and, crucially, there is a growing awareness and acceptance of the correlation between the two. There’s a really positive shift happening; people are becoming much more aware and accepting of the role mental health plays. It’s no longer seen as a soft or fluffy topic, but as something that is impactful and has the potential to make a real difference. 2 / Only 13.4% of franchisors offer external wellbeing training. What’s stopping its adoption? The survey suggested that budget constraints and other business priorities are the main barriers. There’s a bit of a disconnect here – while many businesses acknowledge that mental health plays a vital role in performance, proactive support often isn’t being prioritised. Even with a clear understanding of the impact on the bottom line, other areas still tend to take precedence. Generally, this seems to be because leaders are drawn to quick wins – investing in areas like social media or content training, which can deliver more immediate results.While those are valuable, they often act as short-term fixes rather than addressing the deeper, long-term benefits of supporting mental wellbeing. 3 / 75% of franchisees report feeling lonely. How should we respond to such a widespread issue? It’s about building psychological safety across the network – making sure franchisees feel comfortable having honest conversations and valued as individuals, not just at recruitment but throughout their entire journey. If a franchisee stops engaging, such as missing monthly check-ins or network meetings, it shouldn’t be taken at face value as it may signal they’re struggling and need support. The sector also needs to dig into the root causes of loneliness – understanding why franchisees feel disconnected and from what. More events alone won’t solve it; someone can be in a room of 100 people and still feel isolated. Tackling this means creating an environment where genuine connections can form, and where people feel truly seen, heard, and supported. 4 / Only 24% of franchisors believe enough is being done. Does this shared dissatisfaction represent a real opportunity for change? Absolutely – it’s the ideal starting point.While nearly all franchisors recognise the impact of mental health on business, only a quarter believe enough is being done. That gap signals growing awareness and acceptance that things need to improve – the challenge now is moving from awareness to action. 5 / Fewer than 1 in 5 franchises have a formal wellbeing policy. How important is this? It’s a vital first step. A clear policy removes grey areas, protects franchisors legally, and sets expectations on both sides. To help, I’m creating the first mental health accreditation for franchise brands, bringing Cinder’s training, resources, and tools together in one accessible package. Designed to overcome common barriers like budget and time, it enables franchisors to uphold high standards while giving franchisees practical skills in self- awareness, emotional intelligence, and wellbeing management – all without adding to workloads. For franchisees, it means access to consistent, meaningful support that can boost confidence, resilience, and long-term business success. For franchisors, it’s both peace of mind and a visible commitment to supporting their network. 49 WHAT-FRANCHISE.COM Interview JEN CHAPMAN-BOFFIN Cinder