How To Make Your HOT DOG FRANCHISE Even Better

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Even if your fast food franchise is booming, there are always steps you can take to make it even better. This is why it’s key for business owners to stay smart, savvy, and informed throughout their entire franchising journey. The franchise owners who are always trying to improve are the ones who beat out their competition and have a thriving business.

How do you continuously improve your franchise so business is always booming? Look no further! This guide provides you with everything you need to know to make your business even better today and to always keep improving in the future.

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Why It’s Easier to Succeed with a Hot Dog Franchise than You Might ThinkRunning a franchise is not for the faint of heart. When you opened your first franchise, you might have been a little intimidated at the thought of owning your own store. You might have even asked yourself questions like, “How will I know if this is the right choice?” One of the key ingredients for a successful franchise is to believe that your franchise can be a success. If you’ve forgotten why you took that leap of faith to open your own franchise, remind yourself of some reasons why a hot dog franchise is a great choice.

HOT DOGS ARE AN AMERICAN STAPLEFrom a baseball game to a backyard cookout on a lazy Sunday afternoon, hot dogs are everywhere! They’ve been here for a long time and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, it’s estimated that more than 90 percent of households serve hot dogs. So when potential customers come knocking for a tasty, all-American treat (which we know they will), you’ll be in business. Not only are you providing these customers with a satisfying meal, you’re providing them with a smile and a memory.

HOT DOG ON A STICK HAS A PROVEN BUSINESS MODELWe know that the doors are open for you to find success with our hot dog franchise because we did it first! Our company has been around since 1946. Needless to say, we know how a successful hot dog franchise should run. We have a series of systems and processes that help to make sure your franchise is running smoothly and efficiently with the minimum costs needed and the most opportunity for profit. Now that we’ve perfected our recipe for success, we’re here to share our knowledge to help loyal, franchise owners like you!

A NETWORK OF FRANCHISEE SUPPORT Those who start an independent business of their own may find themselves in a “fish out of water” position when they may need some extra help or guidance. Often they don’t have a support network that’s ready-to-go. When you run a hot dog franchise like at Hot Dog on a Stick, you have a network of professionals who know the business in and out and who are here to help when you need it.

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7 Tips for Making a Good Fast Food Franchise Even BetterNow that you’ve remembered why you got into the hot dog business, the next step is to evaluate the franchise itself. Where can you improve your business? Are you out of touch with the current trends? Have you deviated from your business model? Do you really know what’s going on with your customers and even your employees? If you don’t know the answer to all of these questions, below are 7 tips to help you make your franchise better today.

1. DO YOUR RESEARCH Before you buy a fast food franchise, make sure you know everything you

need to know, including how much money you’ll need to start and run it, which systems you’ll need to follow based on franchisor requirements, and how to keep your business thriving.

2. UNDERSTAND CURRENT TRENDS What’s hot in your fast food franchise industry? Did your competitor come out

with a new hot dog that’s selling like hotcakes? As you encounter the daily tasks needed to run your business, always keep an ear on the ground to keep up with competitors, customers, and the overall business landscape.

3. STICK TO YOUR BUSINESS PLAN The business plan is there for a reason so stick to it! Make sure you’ve set

realistic goals. Check back periodically to make sure you’ve met your goals or that you’re on track to meet them.

4. ASK FOR HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT One of the benefits of a fast food franchise is that the company already

has a business model that works. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for help when you find yourself confused or unsure of the best course of action to take.

5. GET THE WORD OUT Some of the most successful businesses are successful because they’ve

done such a good job at marketing. Advertising, marketing, and word-of-mouth are all very powerful tools for building brand and store recognition for your fast food franchise.

6. START SMALL If you’re inexperienced in the fast food franchise industry, avoid jumping

the gun by purchasing several stores at once unless you feel confident that you’re prepared and well-versed. Starting with one store can be a good way to make sure you’re all set and ready for more.

7. LISTEN TO YOUR EMPLOYEES After your customers, your employees are the lifeblood of your business.

Listen to their questions, comments, concerns, and even their whining. Happy employees are better employees and good employees help keep businesses in tip-top shape.

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Become the Steve Jobs of Restaurant FranchisesNow that you know the basics on how to improve your franchise internally, let’s look to Steve Jobs to go beyond the basics.

When we think of Steve Jobs, we think of the empire he created from scratch. We think of his ingenuity, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit. While owning restaurant franchises like Hot dog on a Stick is not quite in the same field as owning a technology conglomerate, there are some fundamental lessons that we can all learn from Steve Jobs. The tips below will help you to go beyond having a good franchise and become the Steve Jobs of restaurant franchises.

BE A CONFIDENT LEADERApple certainly wouldn’t be where it is today without the confident, directed leadership of Steve Jobs. He knew what he wanted and he led his team down the path to get to where he wanted to be. Restaurant franchises benefit from this guided leadership just as well, as there are a lot of moving parts to keep your business up and running. Create a solid business plan and map out the steps to achieve your business goals. Then lead your team to success.

SOLVE PROBLEMS WITH CREATIVITYOne of the key benefits of owning a restaurant franchise like Hot Dog on a Stick is that you’re part of a system that works. The menu is provided and the processes are taught to you. However, just because you’re not creating a business from scratch doesn’t mean that creativity isn’t a necessary part of survival. In today’s competitive business landscape, restaurant franchises need to constantly seek new ways to reach out to their customers and keep their brand on the competitive edge.

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FIND WAYS TO CONNECT WITH YOUR CUSTOMERSSteve Jobs found incredible commercial success by being able to put himself in the shoes of his customers. He knew how to connect with them intellectually and emotionally and he knew what they liked and wanted. Owners of restaurant franchises can accomplish these goals by taking the time to learn about their customers. Find unique ways to appeal to them, reach out to them, and make sure they’re getting what they’re looking for from your franchise.

USE YOUR PEOPLE SKILLSSteve Jobs had a certain charisma and drive that drew people’s attention. He was a gifted communicator and he used this skill to capture the attention of millions. Owners of restaurant franchises can benefit from these open channels of communication. First, you’ll use your people skills to rally, lead, and motivate your team. When the internal communication is sound, this will reflect on the company’s communication with customers, potential business partners, and other key stakeholders in a restaurant franchise’s success.

This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for information purposes only. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. If you are a resident of or want to locate a franchise in one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your state. Franchise offerings are made by Franchise Disclosure Document only.

Now you know how to stay smart, savvy, and informed throughout your entire franchising journey. You remember why your franchise can be great as well as how to improve your franchise internally. You also know how to go beyond having a good franchise by following the lessons we learned from Steve Jobs. By using the strategies and tips in this guide, your franchise will be well on its way to success.

We hope that this guide helps you as experienced franchise owners to have the thriving, profitable business you’ve worked so hard for. If you ever have any questions, feel free to contact your Hot Dog on a Stick Development Manager or visit Hot Dog on a Stick’ blog for more ideas on how to make your franchise even better. We are always there to help you improve your franchise and ensure that it’s everything that you want out of your business.

If you’re new to the franchise industry and you’re researching how to make your franchise a success from the start, contact Hot Dog on a Stick today to make your dream a reality. We can help you avoid common pitfalls of new franchise owners and help you to realize the rewards of owning a thriving hot dog franchise.

1346 Oakbrook Drive, Suite 170, Norcross, GA 30093

770.514.4500 | 800.524.6444

franchiseinfo@gfgmanagement.com