5 Ways to Streamline Training at Every Franchise Location
Training employees across multiple franchise locations can feel like trying to juggle flaming torches while riding a unicycle. You have the near-impossible job of balancing consistent service and quality performance, while getting every team member gets up to speed — all without dropping one of those treacherous flaming torches.
Franchise owners often face enormous challenges when it comes to training: coordinating schedules, delivering the same quality of training across diverse teams, and overcoming operational differences at each location. Yet, effective training is essential to uphold brand standards, foster employee satisfaction, and create exceptional customer experiences. By streamlining your training processes, you can not only make this daunting task more manageable, but also save time, cut costs, and drive greater efficiency across operations at every franchise location. Let’s dive into how you can begin systemizing your employee training program — and keep those flaming torches juggling high up in the air!
1. Use a digital platform for training.
Gone are the days of the old-fashioned paper training manual. Keeping a training manual updated, printing it, and ensuring every location had the correct version is a nightmare no one wants to experience any longer. In today’s digital-centric world, employee training platforms — also known as Learning Management Systems (LMS) — have become indispensable for franchises looking to streamline their training processes. An employee training platform serves as a centralized hub where you can store, organize, and deliver training content to any role across all locations.
Whether it’s onboarding new hires, teaching role-specific skills, or reinforcing company policies, an employee training platform can cater specifically to the needs of multi-location franchises by offering scalable, consistent, and trackable training solutions. The benefits of using a digital training platform include:
Having a centralized location for all training content. Store all your training materials in one place, making it easily accessible for any employee at any location to access in a swipe of their phone. No more worrying about outdated paper manuals or missing files.
Ensuring consistency among all roles at every location. Deliver the same high-quality training experience for every employee, regardless of their location. A common pitfall franchises fall into is inconsistent training across locations due to a peer-to-peer training model. A digital platform ensures everyone learns the same content in the same way — there’s little wiggle room for training errors.
Tracking employee progress and performance. Use built-in analytics to monitor employee training progress, identify knowledge gaps, and ensure everyone is meeting training benchmarks.
Reducing in-person training needs. Minimize the time and cost associated with live training sessions by offering engaging digital modules employees can complete at their own pace.
2. Standardize onboarding with essential orientation courses.
Standardized onboarding is the key to setting employees up for success from day one. When every new hire receives the same foundational training, they’re better equipped to meet expectations, perform their roles effectively, and align with your brand’s values. Standardization not only ensures consistency across all franchise locations but also reduces confusion and helps new employees feel confident in their roles from the get-go!
To create a robust onboarding program, ensure your training includes the following courses:
Introduction to Company Culture: Share your franchise’s mission, vision, and values. Explain how these principles influence daily operations and customer interactions. Include examples that reflect your brand’s personality and purpose.
Daily Operations for Each Role: Provide role-specific training that covers day-to-day responsibilities. Include tasks like operating equipment, managing inventory, or completing transactions to help employees understand their individual contributions.
Comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): SOPs serve as the backbone of operational consistency. Include step-by-step guides for processes like opening and closing procedures, safety protocols, and handling customer complaints.
Employee Handbook Overview: Ensure every new hire reviews your employee handbook. Cover policies such as workplace conduct, attendance, benefits, and disciplinary measures. Highlight key sections to prevent misunderstandings later.
Customer Service Excellence: If customer interaction is a part of their role, train employees on how to deliver outstanding service. Include soft skills like active listening, problem-solving, and maintaining a positive attitude.
Brand-Specific Knowledge: Provide training on products, services, or promotions unique to your franchise. Equip employees with the knowledge they need to answer customer questions confidently.
Technology and Tools Training: If your franchise uses POS systems, scheduling apps, or any other technology, include tutorials or simulations to familiarize employees with these tools.
3. Leverage video training to increase engagement.
Video training is one of the most effective ways to capture your employees' attention and ensure they retain essential information. Unlike static manuals or presentations, videos bring training to life, offering a dynamic and interactive learning experience. For franchises with diverse teams spread across multiple locations, video training is an invaluable tool for standardizing processes while keeping employees engaged and motivated.
While some employee training platforms, like ExpandShare, include premade industry training videos, you can create your own training videos. Some suggested content for training videos include:
Step-by-Step Demonstrations: Show how to complete common tasks, like restocking inventory, using equipment, or cleaning workspaces.
Customer Interactions: Role-play scenarios that employees may face, such as handling difficult customers, upselling products, or managing returns.
Brand Standards: Highlight your franchise’s specific policies on uniform appearance, workplace etiquette, and customer service expectations.
Safety and Compliance Training: Demonstrate safety protocols and compliance procedures to ensure employees follow regulations correctly.
Role-Specific Scenarios: Create tailored content for different roles, such as cashiers, managers, or delivery drivers, to address their unique challenges.
By leveraging video training, you can create an engaging, accessible learning experience that empowers employees to perform confidently and consistently, no matter where they’re located!
4. Create a “Train-the-Trainer” system.
A “Train-the-Trainer” system is a powerful way to extend your training reach while fostering a sense of leadership among experienced employees. This type of training is a structured approach to equipping experienced employees with the resources needed to train and mentor new hires. By empowering key team members to act as mentors, you can ensure consistent training, build stronger teams, and maintain high standards across all franchise locations.
To develop the program, you must first select the right mentors. Identify experienced and reliable employees at each location who demonstrate strong communication skills, a positive attitude, and a deep understanding of company policies and procedures. Next, you’ll want to incorporate a “Train-the-Trainer” learning track into your digital employee training platform. Consider creating a dedicated “Trainer’s Guide” within your digital employee training platform to standardize and scale the trainer program. Finally, you’ll need to train your trainers. This means providing mentors with formal training on how to teach effectively and give constructive feedback to new employees they’re teaching.
By establishing a “Train-the-Trainer” system, you can create a scalable training model that not only lightens the load for managers, but also builds a sense of ownership and teamwork among your employees.
5. Use feedback to improve training.
Feedback is the key to evolving your training program, keeping pace with competitors looking to hire your talent, and retaining your staff. By actively seeking insights from new hires and current employees, you can identify gaps, address pain points, and enhance the overall effectiveness of your training materials and processes. A feedback-driven approach ensures your training stays relevant, impactful, and aligned with the needs of your workforce.
Here are three ways to set up feedback loops within your operations:
Anonymous surveys. After completing training sessions, invite employees to fill out anonymous surveys. Ask specific questions about the clarity, relevance, and engagement level of the training.
Suggestion boxes. Make sure employees know they can send their suggestions to a digital suggestion box. They can share their thoughts about the training process at any time.
One-on-one check-ins. Encourage managers to have casual conversations with employees about their training experience, especially during the onboarding phase.
Remaining committed to refining the training process ensures that your employees are always equipped with the tools and knowledge they need to excel in their roles.
Start streamlining franchise training today!
You may always feel like you’re riding on top of a unicycle while running your franchise, but perhaps you can juggle one less flaming torch by automating training. By incorporating these five suggestions into your franchise training program, you’re one step closer to improving customer experiences across every location while keeping employees engaged and excited about their work. You can start by exploring ExpandShare’s employee training platform to see if it’s the right fit for your franchise. No matter what, take the first step today to build toward a better, brighter tomorrow at your franchise.
