After the excitement of a new franchise launch, a common trap for many franchisees is to lose the momentum, which stifles growth. I usually build obstacles for a living, as the founder of the Ninja Parc franchise, but as the owner of 10 franchises myself, it’s often a matter of avoiding obstacles that can make the difference between a mediocre franchise and a great one.

Here are some of the most common blocks to franchise growth and how you can ensure they don’t stand in the way of making your businesses the best it can be:

1. Not thinking big enough. It can be so easy to get caught up in the small details and daily tasks of running your business. It’s really important to regularly take some time to review where you’re heading and set some goals – and don’t be afraid to aim high. Just break down your big goals into smaller ones that you can tackle each week/month. Sitting down with another business owner or mentor figure can really help here to give you the outside perspective you need.
2. Not hiring the right people. Passion and enthusiasm are the keys to a success with a franchise – there is nothing more important. So as you build your team, you must ensure that others share that passion as well as having the right skills for the role. Surround yourself with hard-working like-minded people and, where necessary, wait a little longer for the right person to come along rather than settling for someone less than ideal. It will end up saving you money and time in the long run.
3. Not looking after your customers. Sometimes you can lose sight of the fact that your customer is so important to the success of your business – not only are they a customer but they also give referrals (so they are a sales and marketing tool as well). COVID-19 has really brought community into the spotlight and creating that sense of belonging, genuine care, sharing of information and connection is critical to keeping customers happy and engaged.
4. Not taking advantage of further training. Many franchisors offer additional training opportunities for franchisees and it’s something you should try to find the time to take advantage of. You can also look at short courses that can strengthen your skills in areas where it’s needed.
5. Not thinking outside the square. A franchise gives you the base structure and processes but what else can you do? How can you take your business further? How can you go the extra mile when it comes to your customers’ experience with your site? There are more opportunities that many franchisees realise to be creative within the franchise model.

If you can schedule an enjoyable time each month where you order a special dinner, for example, and just spend one hour thinking and talking about your business with someone you trust. Giving your business regular attention – even if it’s only for that hour – is a great way to ensure you don’t fall victim to the most common obstacles franchisees face and keep on the path of steady growth for your business.

Author: John Pirlo, founder of Ninja Parc.