Greetings Franchising Leaders

I hope this message finds you well.

In this issue we touch on:

• FANZ National Franchise Conference 2023
• November Franchise Field Manager Training Dates
• 10 Reasons Why Companies Franchise
• Franchising Lessons from the USA
• Motorcycle News

FANZ National Conference 2023

The FANZ 2023 National Franchise Conference was an epic conference, not least because it was in Christchurch – where FANZ had really been looking forward to holding the event post-earthquakes. The Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre is a beautiful conference venue.

This year, Glenn Beaumont and I (Callum) attended from Franchize Consultants and spoke with many franchisors and service providers from our Franchize Consultants stand. We also gave away another toolbox this year, with the tool box being a metaphor for our work building, reviewing, servicing and optimising franchising and licensing networks.

The conference theme was Meeting the challenge. Driving opportunity – designed to address the current environment and immense challenge and change faced by business, including franchising companies.

The conference proper really kicked off with a powerful session from Bruce Cotterill, with a mix of insight and abrasiveness. It was a good scene-setter, with a self-starter audience who know what it means to grow businesses, be self-reliant, and navigate and address an increasing wave of challenges.

I was happy to help plan and lead a franchisor leadership panel discussion, featuring Mark Anderson of Stirling Sports (60 stores), David Ovendale of Top 10 Holiday Parks (47 parks), and Jon Hassall of Café Brands’ Columbus Coffee & Mexico (86 units). These three iconic New Zealand brands span some 50, 40 and 30 years, respectively – plenty of time to encounter many a financial cycle, natural disaster and other challenge. The panellists generously shared their identified challenges, opportunities, insightful approaches and also lessons learnt and tips for new and emerging chains.

At the conference, we were fortunate to have two informative key note sessions by well-known US franchising leaders, both organised by Stewart Germann of Stewart Germann Law. The first was by Peter Holt, CEO of the US listed company, The Joint Chiropractic – with over 900 locations. The second was international franchise developer, Bill Edwards of Edwards Global Services.

Local great speakers included Bryn Harrison with a case study of The Interiors Group / Carpet Court. We also had excellent local panels, including a panel on embedding AI in franchising – led by Cookie Time’s Samantha Pollock and featuring Kari Jones (Woolworths NZ – General Manager – Analytics and Insights) and Elsamarie Botha (Associate Professor & MBA Director, University of Canterbury).

We ran a workshop entitled More Effective Franchise System Governance and Franchise Advisory Councils, which addressed good best practices for both – including how both could and should intersect to help their franchise networks (comprising all stakeholders) best adapt to an environment demanding more rapid change than ever before. The workshop was well received and proved as thought provoking as we’d hoped.

The FANZ team of Robyn, Susan, Stevie, Birke and Lexi did such a great job of the conference. It was really up there as one of the most memorable. Every conference seems to get better and better. Thank you to them.

November Franchise Field Management Training Dates

Don’t miss out on attending, or having your team attend, one or all of our three training programmes specific to franchising / licensing field managers. These programmes have marvellous feedback.

We have three specific one day (spread over two days) ‘building block’ courses for Field Managers coming up in November.

Franchise Field Visit Foundations

November 8 & 9 – online 1-5pm both days

The first Field Manager learning building block, this essential programme covers the background, role and process for delivering effective field visits.

Improving Franchisee Performance

November 15 & 16 – online 1-5pm both days

The second Field Manager building block focuses on building understanding and use of franchisee financial and non-financial information to improve franchisee performance. Help your field managers have more relevant insights, conversations and engagements with franchisees.

Franchisee Business Planning

November 22 & 23 – online 1-5pm both days

This third and very important Field Manager building block builds knowledge and understanding on how to more confidently engage in business planning with franchisees – for the benefit of both franchisee and franchisor businesses.

For more information on each, contact Callum (callum@franchize.co.nz or 09 523 3858) or visit https://www.franchize.co.nz/franchise-training/

10 Reasons Why Companies Franchise

We published an article in the recent Franchise New Zealand magazine explaining 10 common reasons why companies look to franchise their business. The article also touches on comprehensive franchising planning. As we note, while there are good reasons to explore franchising, it’s not suited to every business. Fundamentally, if potential returns aren’t sufficient for all parties to earn a reasonable return, franchising may not be feasible. That’s why we recommend a dedicated and comprehensive planning, assessment and preparation stage prior to preparing a franchise agreement, franchise manuals or recruitment material.

Examples of top reasons include:

1. Wanting to grow business size and value. Franchisees often generate stronger unit-level sales than managed units.
2. Accessing growth capital for additional units – franchisees invest the capital required for new unit establishment.
3. Releasing capital through the sale/conversion of selected company-owned units to franchisees.
4. Unit-management incentives. Because of their investment, franchisees are often more motivated to make their units successful to build a strong income and business value.
5. Overcoming human resources challenges. Franchisees take responsibility for growing and managing their own teams.

Read the full article on Franchise New Zealand here:

https://franchise.co.nz/articles/3656-10-reasons-why-companies-franchise

Contact us for a confidential discussion if you’re contemplating franchising or licensing.

Franchising Lessons From the USA

If you’re interested in some fun and insights into the United States and franchising, including seeing the oldest surviving McDonald’s restaurant, you might be interested in this short form article of a larger article recently published in Franchise New Zealand magazine.

Motorcycle News

One of the advantages of a Christchurch conference was the opportunity for a road trip, combining my passion for motorcycling with research of franchising reach into small communities. It’s basically 1,000 kms to Christchurch, with a ferry 2/3 in. Great riding friends from Blenheim met me in Picton, and we had a stunning afternoon taking in the road down to Kaikoura, stopping at Ward Beach and one of the northern Kaikoura bays. That coastline is epic, never ceasing to inspire. The ride back via Lewis Pass and Springs Junction on Tuesday night was freezing – and my auxiliary headlights (turning night into day) and heated jacket proved their value once more.

A classic trip moment occurred in Rai Valley, after a meeting in Nelson. I spotted a motorcyclist continually flashing their lights. I crossed the road, thinking how friendly they were and how I had 5 minutes for a good chat. As I got closer I realised it was my dear friend Marty, who’d been following my GPS spot tracker and had ridden from Blenheim to meet me. We shared some great moments enroute to Picton via Queen Charlotte Drive – another epic New Zealand road.

All the best from myself and the team at Franchize Consultants.

Callum Floyd

PS: Never hesitate to call. We would love to hear from you.

How can we help you?

Contact us if you’re contemplating franchising a business or would like help with an established franchise network. We’d be very happy to sit down with you to understand your situation and objectives and explain the supporting services we provide.