Franchises often face unique challenges when it comes to learning and development (L&D) programs. In our recentwebinar, we sat down with industry experts Lauren Mendenhall of Life's Food LLC, a Five Guys franchise, and Cassie Miller from Craveworthy Brands to discuss how their approaches to developing training programs from the franchisor and franchisee perspective. Here are three key takeaways from the session:
Involve Franchisees Early in the Training Development Process
Cassie Miller emphasized the importance of involving franchisees early in the training development process. By engaging them from the beginning, franchisors can gather valuable feedback and ensure that the training materials are relevant and applicable to their specific operations. This early involvement helps in:
- Gaining Buy-in: When franchisees feel heard and involved, they are more likely to embrace the training programs.
- Ensuring Relevance: Franchisees can provide insights into market-specific needs and operational nuances that corporate teams might overlook.
- Building Trust: Early collaboration fosters a sense of partnership, reducing the likelihood of resistance to new training initiatives.
For example, Miller shared how Craveworthy Brands successfully integrated feedback from franchisees during the pilot phase of new training programs. This approach not only streamlined the rollout process but also enhanced the effectiveness of the training across different locations.
Focus on Continuous Learning and Upskilling
Both panelists highlighted the necessity of continuous learning and upskilling to keep employees engaged and motivated. In a rapidly evolving industry, static training programs can quickly become obsolete. Continuous learning initiatives help in:
- Retaining Talent: Offering career development opportunities through ongoing training can reduce turnover rates and build a more committed workforce.
- Enhancing Skills: Regular upskilling ensures that employees are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to deliver excellent service and adapt to new challenges.
- Maintaining Standards: Continuous training helps maintain consistency in service quality across all franchise locations.
Lauren Mendenhall discussed how Life's Food LLC focuses on leadership development and soft skills training, beyond the basic operational training provided by Five Guys corporate. This supplemental training helps in creating clear career paths and improving managerial capabilities, ultimately leading to better employee and customer experiences.
Leverage Technology for Effective Training and Measurement
The effective use of technology, particularly Learning Management Systems (LMS), was another major theme. Technology can simplify the creation, delivery, and tracking of training programs, making it easier to ensure consistency and measure success. Key benefits include:
- Ease of Use: A user-friendly LMS can facilitate quick and easy content creation and distribution, especially for organizations with limited resources.
- Tracking and Analytics: Robust LMS platforms offer tools to track training completion rates, engagement levels, and knowledge retention, providing valuable data to improve training programs.
- Flexibility and Accessibility: Digital training modules can be accessed anytime, anywhere, catering to the needs of a geographically dispersed workforce.
Mendenhall explained how Life's Food LLC uses the OPUS platform to create comprehensive training modules and leverage in-store check-ins to ensure the training is being effectively implemented. The use of leaderboards and competition also helps in maintaining high engagement levels among employees.
Building L&D programs that franchises will love requires a strategic approach that involves early collaboration with franchisees, focuses on continuous learning, and leverages technology for effective implementation and measurement. By adopting these best practices, franchisors can create training programs that not only meet operational standards but also drive employee engagement and business success.
