Franchisee Friday - Primrose Schools
Congratulations to our #FranchiseeFriday, Jenifer and John McKnight, who own three Primrose Schools in Georgia! When asked how the duo got into franchising, Jenifer said, "John and I chose Primrose because we could balance our family life, while being in business for ourselves. The brand's proven track record helped us find success, grow to multiple locations and have a positive impact on our communities. We started as Primrose parents, who found what we wanted for our own children and are thrilled that through our partnership with Primrose Schools, we have been able to bring that same peace of mind to the hundreds of families we have served." Check out our Q&A with Jenifer and John —
Q: How does your franchise participate in community outreach efforts and give back to the local community?
A: The mission of Primrose Schools is to forge a path that leads to a brighter future for all children. Nationally, the Primrose Children's Foundation partners with leading organizations like Save the Children, Reach Out and Read, and others.
In addition, each of our schools has adopted a child in rural America through the Primrose Promise Pals program, in partnership with Save the Children. Our students have the opportunity to write letters to our Primrose Pal andlearn more about them. It gives our students the opportunity to learn how they can help impact other children's lives who are not as fortunate as they might be.
Also we our engaged virtually year around with our local communities with activities ranging from book and food drives to our Adopt A Grandparent program. This allows our students to give back to the senior communities by visiting and spending time at community assisted living centers.
Q: What steps does your franchise system and your locations personally take to promote diversity in the workplace?
A: A diverse workforce, that represents the communities where are schools are located is essential to success. We consistently seek opportunities to ensure we have a workplace that is warm and welcoming to current and potential staff from all walks of life. Our curriculum continues to evolve as our world changes, diversity and differences are celebrated and woven into aspects of the lessons taught.
Q: What methods do you use to improve the franchisee-franchisor relationship?
A: Open communications along with formal and informal methods of feedback are essential to a strong franchisee-franchisor relationship. John and I have both served on committees working alongside Primrose Schools. I have served as the Chairperson of the Franchise Advisory Council representing all Primrose Schools. I also serve on the marketing committee and John served as the founder of an Atlanta Schools' Owners Group and has been instrumental in helping Primrose with co-op initiatives. Our schools also serve as on-site training schools for new franchise owners.
Q: What traits do you look for when evaluating potential managers to help run one of your franchise locations?
A: We look for leadership team members who have the same goals and values as we do and mirror those established by Primrose Schools. We expect them to have strong work ethic and loyalty and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of children. We have leadership team members who have been with us for many years andthey serve as excellent ambassadors for new team members.
Q: How have you used technology at your franchise to increase efficiency in your operations and what are some of the biggest challenges you've solved with a technological improvement.
A: We use an operating system to manage enrollment and scheduling. Teachers use iPads in the classroom with an app that documents each child's daily activities and care through pictures, videos and daily logs. We also provide iPads to some classrooms for robotics/coding for our after school programs. Additionally, we do online assessments for preschool and pre-kindergarten, as well as conduct employee training online. The biggest challenge with technology is that it’s ever-changing. What you use today seems to be outdated tomorrow, so implementing technology improvements must be ongoing. The implementation of technology has helped us deliver information to families in a much more efficient manner and has given us the tools necessary to conduct accurate assessments.
Q: What resources and methods do you use to educate your state and local legislators about the positive impacts of franchising?
A: We are members of the Georgia Child Care Association, which advocates to legislators on behalf of child care, including many franchises. Primrose Schools has an outstanding reputation in Georgia and we know local leaders look to Primrose for input on initiatives. Also, local communities know the impact of a quality educational preschool in their areas, and our graduates go on to excel in elementary school and beyond. Many legislators are not fully informed of how franchising benefits the communities they represent.
For more information about franchising with Primrose Schools, click here.