Franchising with Hickory River Smokehouse is an exciting and excellent opportunity to experience deeply rewarding (and delicious) professional success. If you're wondering if you have what it takes to be a successful franchisee, read on for five of the most valuable tips to making it in the franchise business.
1. Be passionate about your product. If you're as passionate about barbecue as we are, you will have more fun running a Hickory River franchise than any other. Make sure the product is a good fit for you and that you genuinely believe in its quality, and then bring your enthusiasm! If it's lacking, it will show, and your customers won't have a reason to get excited about your product, either. You must believe in your brand and preserve it—which also means staying connected to your franchiser. If you've got a good thing going, stick to the script. A lack of passion can affect brand clarity and reputation. You don't want to confuse your customers; you want to keep them coming back for more!
2. Hire the right team and treat them with respect. Now, more than ever, good help is hard to find! Your employees are your front line, representing your brand to every customer who walks in the door. Make sure everyone is treated fairly, that roles and tasks are distributed equitably, and that they treat each other with respect. Employees are more motivated by recognition and praise for a job well done than other monetary incentives. It is remarkable how far recognition goes to make employees feel valued. Have their backs, check in with them, ask how things are going, and how you can support them. Then follow through.
3. Know your community and get involved. For example, you may have a franchise opportunity for a business that makes knockout muffins, but if your community already has three or four bakeries, do they need you? Is your community comprised of folks willing to shell out $6 for a muffin? If the answer to these questions is 'yes,' then go for it. Get involved with your customers and the community they live in and care about! Show that you appreciate the community through events, sponsorships, and giving back.
4. Make sure you have the money. Before you dive headfirst into any franchise opportunity, you need to make sure you have the capital to make it succeed. Know how much you're willing to risk and that you have enough to live on while you're getting established. Fortunately, a franchise kit from Hickory River makes this easy by breaking down exactly what you need to get started, so there will be no surprises.
5. Focus on your customer service, retention, and your reputation. Customer service and product quality are the two most essential factors in making your franchise successful. Make sure you treat your customers warmly, get them to smile, and show that you appreciate their business. Even if there is a hiccup somewhere along the line in their experience, customers are more likely to return if they feel they were treated with exceptional service and gratitude. It's the digital age, and customer reviews on Yelp or lousy press on social media can make or break a franchise or small business. A genuine word-of-mouth ringing endorsement is the best marketing you can get, and it's free!
To request your franchise kit go to: https://www.hickoryriver.com/franchise/franchise-application.php