What must exist before you sell anything.
WHAT TO DOCUMENT
Every operational process Standards and specifications Supplier arrangements Financial management Marketing and customer handling Staff recruitment and training What is required of the premises What must never be changed
WHY THAT LAST ITEM
It defines the brand, and franchisees will test the boundaries.
WHAT AN OPERATIONS MANUAL IS
The complete description of how the business runs.
WHAT IT MUST ACHIEVE
Someone with no prior knowledge can operate to your standard.
HOW TO TEST IT
Have someone follow it and run the business.
WHAT THAT REVEALS
Every assumption.
WHAT TO DOCUMENT ABOUT SETUP
Site selection criteria Fit-out specification Equipment required Opening procedures and timeline Initial stock and supplies
WHY SITE SELECTION CRITERIA
Poor sites are the commonest cause of franchise failure.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Your training programme.
WHAT IT MUST COVER
Operations Standards Systems Management Customer handling
HOW LONG
Long enough that they can actually operate.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT ONGOING SUPPORT
What is provided, how often, by whom.
WHY SPECIFICALLY
It is what franchisees pay for, and its absence is the commonest complaint.
WHAT TO BUILD
The capacity to deliver it, before selling any franchise.
