When investing in a franchise, one of the important questions to consider is how you will effectively operate the business. Depending on the franchise business model, hiring skilled team members may be necessary. However, you’ll need to think about the specific roles you want them to fulfill. For example, do you just need a team of employees, or will you also require a manager to oversee higher-level tasks?

The right decision will depend on several factors related to the franchise itself, as well as your personal and professional goals. Below, we explore some important considerations as you navigate this decision, including:

HOW DIFFERENT OWNERSHIP MODELS DICTATE WHEN TO HIRE A MANAGER

Franchise systems typically revolve around three types of franchise ownership models:

  • Owner-operator: Franchisees who choose this model take a hands-on approach to running daily operations. They may interact with customers, make important business decisions, and be heavily involved in managing their locations.
  • Absentee: As the name suggests, absentee franchisees are not involved in the day-to-day operations of the business. They rely on their team to manage the location. While a level of commitment is still required, these franchisees may become increasingly distanced from daily activities as their systems become established.
  • Semi-absentee: Falling somewhere in the middle between the first two, franchisees within this category maintain control over business decisions but take more of a backseat to daily operations.

Can you hire a manager in any of the above ownership models? Absolutely! However, the hiring process may come at different times. For example, absentee and semi-absentee franchisees may want to hire a manager almost immediately, especially since they are not actively involved in running the franchise business. This manager could participate in the franchisor’s training program to prepare for their executive role, so that they have the necessary tools to run operations smoothly and help make sure business goals are achieved, which is especially important at launch.

An owner-operator, on the other hand, may choose to wait to hire a manager, since they have been trained and are ready to carry out daily tasks. A manager might be brought on later if the franchisee chooses to scale back their full-time contributions.

When considering whether you need a manager for your franchise, be sure to factor in your ownership model and whether a manager would be a nice-to-have, potentially later on, or a necessary addition to your team to run your business successfully.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HIRING A MANAGER FOR YOUR FRANCHISE?

There are several reasons why a franchisee may decide to hire a manager.

MANAGERS CAN PROVIDE EXPERTISE AND HANDLE TASKS ON YOUR BEHALF

Some franchisees may not have enough time to manage business operations due to personal or professional commitments, which is often the case for absentee franchisees. A manager can help fill these gaps and make sure that important tasks and responsibilities receive the necessary attention.

Additionally, a manager can bring valuable business experience that a franchisee may feel they lack. Their guidance and expertise in leading a team and making strategic decisions can provide the skills that a franchise business needs to succeed.

MANAGERS CAN ASSIST WHEN OWNING MULTIPLE FRANCHISE LOCATIONS

Are you considering expanding your investments by branching out into multiple franchise businesses? Hiring managers can be particularly helpful since you can’t be everywhere at once. A manager at each location can help make sure things run smoothly in your absence and report back on how things are functioning, allowing you to focus your attention on specific areas that require improvement to make each location successful.

MANAGERS CAN HELP YOU MAINTAIN A WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Another benefit of hiring a manager is that they can help reduce your workload, even if you are an owner-operator who has made a significant time commitment to the role. One of the benefits of franchising is the potential for a better work-life balance it can offer franchisees. However, achieving this can require solidifying business operations and practices to make them easy to execute. A manager can oversee these tasks, assist your team, and help you achieve a work-life balance potentially more quickly than if you were handling all responsibilities alone.

READ MORE: How to Avoid Burnout as a Franchise Owner

YOU CAN DELEGATE TASKS TO MANAGERS

A manager can play a crucial role in helping you delegate important tasks. For instance, maintaining high-quality customer service and providing personalized experiences are vital for a successful franchise. However, when you have a lot on your plate, these elements may not receive the attention they deserve. A manager can dedicate the necessary time to provide superior service and serve as a valuable resource for customers who require specific assistance. The result can be increased customer satisfaction, which can lead to long-term benefits for your franchise business.

ARE THERE CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH HIRING A MANAGER FOR YOUR FRANCHISE?

Hiring a manager can bring several advantages, but it’s important to consider certain factors to make an informed decision:

  • Salary: Managers typically earn a higher salary than other employees on your team. For new franchisees, the costs associated with hiring a manager could strain your budget, especially if you haven’t generated enough profit yet. If you’re working with a limited employee budget, this might mean hiring fewer team members, which could affect business operations.
  • Trust: When you hire a manager, you entrust them with the responsibility to oversee daily operations and adhere to the guidelines set by the franchisor. If the manager doesn’t invest the necessary time, quality, or level of care that you would, your franchise business might suffer as a result.
  • Training: Unlike standard employees who may focus on specific tasks in their role, a manager often must juggle multiple responsibilities and requires a deeper understanding of how the franchise operates. Effectively onboarding a manager can require significant time and resources, which may be limited while you balance other tasks, thus carrying out the process longer than desired.
  • Growth Plan: Do you see yourself opening multiple locations with the same brand? This manager may be a great person to grow alongside you. Consider your own growth journey and what you need when hiring your first manager to determine if this role has long-term growth potential.

Deciding whether to hire a manager can depend on your vision for your franchising journey. If your business would benefit from having someone by your side to handle important tasks and help make sure everything runs smoothly, taking the time to bring a manager onto your team can be beneficial. However, if you prefer to take control of operations yourself and only need a team to help with production, hiring a manager may not be as important until your needs change.

BRING A DOG DAYCARE TO YOUR COMMUNITY WITH DOGTOPIA

Are you considering entering the pet industry? With Dogtopia, you can join North America’s leading dog daycare franchise and provide in-demand services in your neighborhood. To find out whether franchising with Dogtopia is right for you, check out our franchisee testimonials to hear from others, as well as our differentiators that set us apart in this industry.

For next steps, please review our FAQ page for further details and use our online inquiry form to reach out to our franchising team.

Tags: