Franchising is an expansive industry that encompasses a wide range of markets, products, and services. It also attracts a variety of individuals, with minorities making up 30.8 percent of franchise owners compared to 18.8 percent for non-franchised businesses.

The franchise industry is fueled by franchise owners who are passionate about leading their business to success. With training and support offered by the franchisor, this opportunity is often accessible to individuals no matter their educational background, business experience, or if they have obtained the hard skills reflective of the business. And there are examples showcasing how franchising can be particularly beneficial among diverse groups.

Both minority franchise ownership and female franchise ownership rates have increased over the years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. When it comes to business ownership in general, the latest reports indicate that approximately 19.9% of employer businesses are minority-owned, with 21.4% owned by women. But there is still work to be done in promoting the inclusion of individuals from various social and ethnic backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations within the workforce.

If you are a prospective franchisee and want to prioritize diversity in your search for the right franchise opportunity or want to find ways to promote diversity once you step into the role, here are some ways diversity can be fostered within franchising.

SELECTING A FRANCHISE WITH A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE FOCUS

Franchise organizations that lead, support, and prioritize diversity and inclusion within their practices can further promote a greater sense of industry-wide diversity. If you are a prospective franchisee searching for franchise opportunities, take note of the businesses that prioritize diversity and inclusion either in their business model, philosophy, or through the charities they organize or support.

Researching how a franchise encourages diversity within its business can help you narrow down the potential opportunities that align with your values and assist you once you step into the franchisee role.

CHOOSING DIVERSE VENDORS

There are several moving parts to running a franchise, one of them being the suppliers and vendors that fuel each franchise location. Because of their significant impact, choosing vendors that are minority-owned or that prioritize diversity and inclusion can play a key role in fostering diversity from all aspects of the franchise.

PARTNERING WITH ORGANIZATIONS

Many franchise owners develop relationships with organizations within their community. This can be a great way for franchisees to engage with their community, develop customer relationships, and support community initiatives. Selecting diverse and inclusive organizations can be key in promoting a diverse franchise.

INCORPORATING DIVERSITY WITHIN THE HIRING PROCESS

This can apply to both a franchisor and a franchisee. For franchisors, prioritizing inclusivity when reaching out and acquiring franchisees in their network is key, in addition to recruiting individuals for positions within the franchise system itself. Ensuring diversity within the franchising team can help provide a broader scope of perspectives and insight regarding decision-making. From a franchisee perspective, the employees who make up a franchise location’s team should also have inclusive hiring practices to ensure equal opportunities among candidates.

CREATING AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE CULTURE

As a franchisee, your workplace culture can play a key role in fostering diversity. If you pursue a franchise ownership model where you spearhead a team of employees, making inclusion a central focus within your practices can create a culture that acknowledges and appreciates contributions from all team members. Having these diverse voices within your team and recognizing and celebrating unique perspectives can create a welcoming and supportive workplace environment.

FRANCHISING WITH DOGTOPIA

At Dogtopia, fostering diversity is incredibly important to us. From being ranked among the “Top 50 Franchise for Women” by Franchise Business Review to the inclusivity promoted among our franchisees, contributing to a more diverse and inclusive franchising industry is a priority.

To learn more about franchising with Dogtopia, check out our Why Dogtopia? page for more information.