It’s no secret that the holidays can be a stressful time to own a business. Whether it’s working extended hours, customers demanding that the most popular items are in stock, or making sure your locations are adequately staffed, the holidays can wreak havoc on even the best-laid plans.
As a franchise owner, you’re certainly not immune to the chaos, and it’s essential that you do what’s necessary to keep your head on straight during this tumultuous time. In this article, we’ve provided some valuable tips to help ensure that your franchise business survives the holiday season and beyond.
Keep Your Business Organized and Prepared
One of the best ways to survive the holiday season is to make sure you’re as prepared as possible. Have you stocked up on popular items? Have you been in touch with vendors to ensure they can deliver a steady flow of products to keep customers happy?
Not only do you have to make sure your customers are taken care of, but you also need to make sure your locations and employees have what they need to operate smoothly. Do they have enough receipt paper to meet the increased demand? Have you stocked up on office supplies to accommodate the increased business as well as the additional seasonal staff? And, are these items easy to locate when you’ve got a line of anxious customers?
The more organized and prepared you are, the more you and all your locations can focus on more important things. Your customers will also notice that you’re on top of things and that you value their time.
Ensure Your Customers Stay Informed
With the holidays comes a change to the usual way of doing things. Nowhere is this truer than when it comes to what hours your locations are open.
Most business offer extended hours during the holiday season, and it’s crucial for your customers to know whether you’ll be doing the same. After all, there’s no reason to have extended hours if no one’s aware of them. Post your new hours on your storefront, mention them on your site, and post them on social media.
The same goes for if you will be closed for a specific holiday or closing early on certain days. Some businesses close early on Christmas Eve and then close entirely on Christmas day. If your customers don’t know this, and they show up to shop when you’re closed, you could face somewhat of a backlash on social media. Make sure any changes to your hours or the days you’re closed are communicated to your customers to avoid any negative publicity.
Take Care of Your Staff & Employees
Last, but certainly, not least, take the time to ensure your staff and employees are taken care of.
First, you should inform your franchisees to hire enough staff to meet the additional foot traffic. Next, they should also be watching to make sure employees aren’t getting burnt out, are taking breaks, and have enough time off between shifts.
Without happy employees, your franchise business could suffer on many levels. A tired employee won’t be able to serve customers well, and a poor attitude could also impact other staff members.
It may also be a good idea to stock breakrooms with a variety of snacks and non-alcoholic beverages to help them refresh and recharge. If feasible, cater in food or hold a holiday party to show how much you appreciate their hard work.
Need More Tips to Survive the Ups and Downs of Running a Franchise Business?
At Big Sky Franchise Team, we know firsthand how challenging running a franchise business can be. There’s a lot to juggle, and it’s crucial to have a respected resource in your corner to help you figure everything out.
Contact us today or call us at 855-824-4759 to set up a free consultation and discover how we can help you with strategic planning, sales training, digital marketing solutions, or a variety of other services geared towards aiding the success of your franchise businesses.
