What makes a relationship between two parties good? What makes a marriage last for 50 years or “until death do you part?” While the answer might be philosophical or studied for years, it boils down to two words: culture and commitment. The culture has to fit both parties, and both parties have to be committed to common goals.

Although franchising’s largest and most popular brands represent the images most people hold about the industry, recent research revealed that franchising has been significantly influenced by the growing number of new concepts appearing in the past few years.

For franchisors looking to build a successful franchise system, there is one Golden Rule: treat your franchisees like gold. Your franchise owners are your number one customers. Service them well and your business will grow. Cut corners and your entire system will suffer. It sounds so simple, yet achieving and maintaining high levels of franchisee satisfaction can at times seem like an unattainable goal.

The IFA Franchise Relations Committee is dedicated to promoting positive relations and encouraging dialogue and cooperation between franchisees and franchisors. The following articles by IFA members have appeared in IFA publications on the subject of Franchise Relations.

Franchisors don’t always have to be right, but they must test their ideas, protect the best interests of franchisees and gain the respect of franchisees in the long term. 

Millennials are your future. Embrace them, because someday they will be the majority of your franchisees.

Corporate culture is often thought of as that “touchy-feely” stuff that is difficult to understand and handed to the Human Resources Department to manage. In fact, it is a critical business issue that has a direct impact on productivity and profit.

Bringing on an EBITDA expert, or a role similar in nature, can have an immensely positive effect on your system that creates an increasingly attractive opportunity for potential franchise partners all while keeping your current franchisees happy and profitable.

When franchisors lead by example by setting the right culture for employees and recruit franchisees to align with similar core values who will implement best practices within their independently-owned locations.

An investment from a private equity firm can be incredibly valuable in accelerating the growth of an emerging concept or re-igniting a more mature franchise brand.