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Training. It’s a very attractive feature when wannabe business owners decide to go the franchise route.
Having some idea of what to expect and what to do in certain situations is comforting to most.
And for the franchisor, training helps them maintain a measure of replicability from franchise unit to franchise unit, giving consumers a solid idea of what to expect when they visit a franchise of its brand.
Generally, franchisors provide training for a specific number of trainees. Often, the number includes the owner along with one or two manager-level employees. Some franchisors will also offer training teams to assist the franchisee around the time the franchise unit will first be opened to the public.
As part of the due diligence process, prospective franchisees should there are certain things potential franchisees should consider these basic questions about the training provided:
- What are the contents of the initial franchise training course?
- Are learning materials are provided
- How much management training is given?
- What ongoing training development programs are available once the franchisees are established, including any refresher courses?
- Is the initial course long enough to give people sufficient time to learn the necessary business methods and requirements?
These questions will help potential franchisees decide if this is a franchise opportunity worth looking into further.
However, it is important to remember that just because a course lasts longer than those provided by other franchisors does not automatically mean it will be more beneficial. The most important thing is that franchisees are able to learn what they need to in the time allotted.
Once you consider a franchise a potential fit, it’s wise to go even deeper before signing the franchise agreement. Fortunately, many franchises offer “discovery days” or meet-and-greets where they will have the opportunity to dive into the details of franchise ownership.
When you get to this stage, consider these more detailed questions about the franchise training:
- Will franchisees be taught about how to handle a marketing campaign and any financial issues that may arise in addition to managing the unit and carrying out the service?
- What amount of training will franchisees need to provide their staff, and what tools and training techniques will the franchisees need for that training?
- Does the franchisor provided training courses that workers can go on?
- Potential franchisees should try to find out the background and qualifications of the people who conduct the training to ensure that they have the relevant experience.
- They should also research the success of any external courses that may make up part of the training program.
If franchisees know the vast majority or all of this information, it will be much easier for them to spot the difference between excellent and average training programs. The best franchise opportunities are those that are dedicated to helping franchisees succeed, and that success starts with quality training.