Franchise Insurance

: Bill Strout; Columns; 22 January 2018

Franchise Insurance

Franchise insurance

Reduce your risks and work with an industry-dedicated insurance company

to safeguard against natural and man-made disasters.

By Bill Strout

Hurricane Harvey. Delivery driver accidents. California wildfires. So much puts franchises at peril, yet so few business owners have the time to properly research and safeguard their investments against these risks.

Luckily, there are insurance companies with a focus on franchises that are extremely familiar with these dangers and the best way for franchise owners to protect against them, or at least minimize their impact. Here are tips and checklists to help you protect yourself.

The Roles of Franchisors/Franchisees in Preventing Sexual Harassment

The Roles of

Franchisors and franchisees must understand their roles in avoiding the sexual harassment firestorm.

Training is the important first step.

By Rob Basso

The fallout from the Harvey Weinstein scandals as well as the #MeToo movement have had far-reaching repercussions beyond Hollywood and into everyday business operations, including within franchises across the United States.

While the workplace sexual harassment controversy highlights a significant and long-existing problem, the end-result for women and workers is positive. Shining a light on unreported instances of sexual harassment, which should never have occurred, also demonstrates the exposure and risk faced by unprepared businesses, including franchisees. Questions also arise as to the role and responsibility of franchisors and what to do regarding recent changes to laws and rules relating to the move away from co-employment for operators.

Tags: Management, Training

: Colby Cavanaugh; Columns; 15 January 2018

Crisis Communication

Crisis Com

Keeping it under control:

Four steps to help a franchise effectively address a PR crisis through email.

By Colby Cavanaugh

Chances are you’ve heard about health scares faced by food franchises like Chipotle Mexican Grill. When a franchise experiences any sort of widespread crisis – whether it be a foodborne illness, a product recall or a scandal among its leaders – the issue often becomes public knowledge that, if left unaddressed, can damage its brand reputation for good. After all, as a result of social media and a headline-centric media culture, any news flash involving a well-known brand is sure to generate clicks.

The Franchise Team

Franchise Team

How combining creativity and operations can amplify a franchise brand’s success.

By Drew French

Ingenuity plays an integral role in any brand’s longevity; however, it must be coupled with operational excellence to ensure success. How can brands strike the right balance between creativity and operations for long-term growth?

Here are a few ways you can channel out-of-the-box thinking into a successful and sustainable franchise business.

Employment Law

2018 will bring changes to employment laws.

Will your franchise be ready and compliant?

By John Waldmann

You can expect several critical changes to employment laws in 2018 that will impact franchise businesses that employ hourly workers. It is important for all local franchise managers and employees to be aware of these changes so they can comply with the regulations.