Successful entrepreneurs, you've created a profitable catering concept, your customers are asking for more, and the idea of franchising your concept is on your mind? What if this was the right time to create your own franchise and boost your growth? But beware: going from independent restaurateur to franchisor is not something you can improvise. You need to structure, model, support and anticipate the expectations of a network. To give yourself the best chance of success: follow the guide!
‍
Before considering franchise development, have you asked yourself whether your concept is duplicable and attractive? Here are the pillars you need to validate before taking the plunge:
Having a good concept isn't enough. Your restaurant must be based on a viable business model, both for you and for your future franchisees. Think average ticket, profitability per square meter, affordable opening costs and rapid return on investment potential. Every euro invested must make sense, especially in the early years when franchising is all about the rigor of the model.
Building a franchise requires a dedicated business plan. It must include your network management costs, expected financial flows (royalties, entry fees), network management expenses, and profitability forecasts for each outlet. It's a strategic tool for convincing partners, investors and future franchisees.
Not all concepts lend themselves to franchising, but some restaurant categories are particularly well suited to it: fast food, healthy or premium snacking, niche coffee shops, dark kitchens optimized for delivery. Burgouzz is proof of this: from a dark kitchen, the concept has evolved into a network of physical outlets, supported by a data-driven strategy and well-thought-out digitalization .
👉 To find out more: Should you outsource your franchise development?
‍
According to a study by the Fédération Française de la Franchise (French Franchise Federation), the growth in the number of networks and the number of franchised outlets is not due to chance, but to the certainty that a franchise network provides a better guarantee of success thanks to the mastery of know-how.
To pass on your know-how and experience, nothing beats a comprehensive operating manual. It details every stage of your processes, from order management to product presentation. In this way, you can guarantee consistency throughout the network.
Setting up a franchise involves a number of legal obligations: drafting a pre-contractual information document (DIP), a formal franchise agreement, brand protection, defining royalties, and so on. You need to establish a solid framework, both protective and progressive, to provide a long-term framework for your collaboration.
What pace of developmentare you targeting? Do you want to grow by zone, as a master franchise, or in a more selective mode? The choice of your network strategy will directly influence your needs in terms of resources, organization and communication.
It is essential to align this strategy with your current resources and your medium- and long-term ambitions. It will also determine the organizational structure to be put in place from the very first openings.
Training, assisting, coaching, leading - being a franchisor means above all being at the service of your franchisees. This role requires a constant presence and the ability to pass on more than just know-how: a vision, a method and a corporate culture.
This starts with solid initial training, designed to enable a new franchisee, even one with no experience of the restaurant business, to become operational quickly. This training must cover not only technical aspects (recipes, stock management, customer service), but also managerial and commercial aspects.
It is extended by the provision of high-performance digital tools: centralized back-office, connected POS solutions, real-time reporting, CRM, online ordering platforms, etc. All these tools facilitate day-to-day management and ensure smooth data feedback for network management. All these tools facilitate day-to-day management and ensure smooth data feedback for network management.
Secondly, regular support is essential. This includes on-site visits, quality audits, dedicated support and the ability to react quickly to any difficulties. Under no circumstances should franchisees feel alone.
Add to this shared local and national communication campaigns to boost brand awareness, and lively network activities such as seminars, workgroups, sales challenges and best practice sharing.
All too often, a lack of financing prevents good people from starting up a franchise. As a franchisor, you can facilitate access to franchising by :Â
Which options will grab your attention? Some franchisors even go so far as to co-finance part of the project, or offer lease management as an entry-level option.
👉 To find out more : How to effectively develop your fast-food franchise network
‍
Choosing your first franchisees is crucial. Why? Because they'll become your ambassadors. Because they will become your ambassadors. Choose motivated profiles, in tune with your values, ready to commit themselves 100% and capable of managing a team with the high standards you expect. In this entrepreneurial adventure, the human element is just as important as the financial one.
According to Bpifrance, 38% of franchisees were former customers of the outlet. A good reason to take care of the customer experience: who knows, your next franchisee may already frequent your restaurant.
Franchising means management. You need to monitor KPIs (sales, margin, turnover, customer satisfaction, operational quality) on a regular basis. To keep abreast of the activity of your various outlets, don't hesitate to use business intelligence tools or customized dashboards, which will help you gain a clear vision and react quickly in the event of drift.
A good network manager is also known for his ability to bring people together. He or she is capable of creating links between franchisees, helping them to improve their skills, encouraging innovation in the field and adapting the concept over time. The more you listen and the more you inspire, the more your network will gain in cohesion, performance and longevity.
In 2022, according to the Fédération Française de la Franchise, 92% of franchisees say they are satisfied with their status, and 88% would recommend it. These figures show that when a network is well structured and supported, satisfaction is the order of the day.
Do you have a profitable concept, a clear vision and the desire to become a franchisor? At Innovorder, we support restaurant owners at every stage of their franchise development. Get in touch with us!
👉 Going further: 6 tips for developing your restaurant franchise concept
‍
Franchising your concept is a real change of attitude. As a restaurateur, you're already an experienced entrepreneur. By becoming a franchisor, you also become a trainer, a network coordinator and a long-term strategist. This adventure requires preparation and a great deal of rigor, but it can transform your establishment into a national or even international brand. So, if you think your concept has the potential to go even further, maybe it's time to franchise.
-
Are you running a franchise and looking for a partner to help you digitalize your establishments? Innovorder is the only player in France to offer a complete ecosystem: order-taking, collection, preparation, delivery and management!
.jpg)
