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Owning a Franchise During a Pandemic

09/15/2020
Owning a franchise during a pandemic and what to do

The coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented time for all of us.  It is affecting every part of life: health, education, work, the economy, and more.  If you own a franchise, you may be wondering how to move forward.  While this will look different for everyone, there are a few key things to keep in mind.  Here are some focus points for owning a franchise during a pandemic.

Safety first

We are all more aware of keeping things clean and sanitary than we were six months ago.  No matter what franchise opportunities you have, safety needs to be a top priority.  Following guidelines like wearing a mask, social distancing, and more are essential if we are to make it through this pandemic anytime soon.  It doesn’t matter if your franchise is a restaurant, store, hotel, or healthcare center.  You need to have a safety plan in place.  Everything should be kept clean and disinfected, employees should have proper protection, and a plan for a potential case in your company should be formalized.  This is not just to keep everyone safe, but also for legal reasons.  It is incredibly important to come up with a safety plan with a lawyer so that you are not liable in case of a coronavirus-related emergency.

Communicate

In times of uncertainty, people want to feel secure.  They want to know what’s going on and be kept in the loop.  Communication is always important when running a business, and it is vital for your franchise during this pandemic.  Keeping your employees updated on safety rules and regulations will help them feel better about coming to work.  Things are changing fast.  Do your best to make sure no one gets left out on the details.  This means staying in communication with your customers as well.  Have updated policies and hours available on your website and social media pages.  You don’t have to know everything; just be generous with the knowledge you do have.

Focus

A lot is happening in the world right now, but don’t panic.  Stick to the task at hand, which is owning a franchise.  It can be easy to get overwhelmed with problems as new issues arise.  Just take it one thing at a time.  Staying focused is very important right now.  It can be easy to let your lack of routine become a routine once your normal life is interrupted.  Be purposeful with how you are spending your time, including outside of the franchise.  If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to run a company very effectively.  Drink water, eat healthily and get enough sleep.  Exercise and get outside when you can.  Even basic activities like this can make a big difference in your life.

Look towards the future

Eventually, one way or another, this pandemic will end.  It may even lead to more franchise opportunities.  Opening a brand-new business right now or even in a few months as the economy starts to reopen would be incredibly risky.  Having an established brand name makes it significantly less so.  As for owning a franchise now, you can always be planning ahead.  Just because you don’t know what will happen with the virus in the future doesn’t mean you should stop planning things like the budget for the next quarter. 

Looking for a new franchise to invest in?

If you are looking for franchise opportunities during the pandemic, what better than senior home care?  A Better Solution in Home Care can help get you started with one of the lowest initial investments in the field.  Request more information on their website.