How Remote Franchise Brands Are Thriving

Executives from Showhomes, Pool Scouts and Property Management Inc. share insights into how their brands have pivoted to offer contactless services and increase franchisee support amid COVID-19.

There are many benefits to keeping work life and home life separate, but in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic, franchisees who are not required by their franchisors to have brick-and-mortar locations are in an ideal position. While remote businesses are thriving, brands across every segment are pivoting to make sure they follow social distancing guidelines, support franchisees and prioritize safety.

Here are some perspectives from franchise leaders in different industries on the ways they've successfully adapted their business model to the current situation.

Showhomes Chief Operating Officer Matt Kelton

Showhomes does not require brick-and-mortar locations. Still, our franchise has adapted during this time, in part, by ramping up its marketing support and digital efforts. As an essential business supporting the real estate industry, we remain open in one way or another in 100 percent of our locations. The brand now offers virtual consultations and electronic proposals, properly shifting gears for remote services.

In addition, Showhomes has rolled out a customizable online quoting tool and we offer our franchise system with an enterprise version of Zoom to allow for seamless video conferences. The leadership team is also focused on franchisee communication and making sure everyone is up-to-date on what’s happening in their market.

In this unprecedented environment, timely information and relevant resources are essential, and we’re focused on supporting franchisees through these challenging times. This includes updating our system standards for sanitization of homes based on CDC guidelines and supplying all franchise locations PPE (masks) to provide to any customer touring a Showhomes property.

In this unprecedented environment, timely information and relevant resources are essential, and we’re focused on supporting franchisees through these challenging times.

Pool Scouts President Michael Wagner

Pool Scouts has been able to pivot and operate remotely in order to continue to provide services and generate revenue for franchisees. Since pool technicians do not need to enter a customer’s home, they can still provide their service while respecting social distancing guidelines.

Since pool technicians do not need to enter a customer’s home, they can still provide their service while respecting social distancing guidelines.

To promote safety throughout our network, Pool Scouts has added sanitizing as part of every service we provide — we use a bleach solution to sanitize surfaces we come in contact with including gates, control panels, handrails, etc. Our entire franchise system has access to a short video that demonstrates how to do this properly and effectively for the safety of our customers and employees.

Additionally, we’ve provided technicians with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, masks and wipes, to ensure they are safe while they work.

Property Management Inc. President Danessa Itaya

Property Management Inc. has always allowed franchisees to run their business from the comfort of their own homes. Franchisees may opt to rent out office spaces as they expand their footprint, but this is not a requirement. Instead, the brand’s biggest worry when the coronavirus pandemic began was that many residential and commercial tenants would be unable to pay their rent.

Property Management Inc. has always allowed franchisees to run their business from the comfort of their own homes.

Luckily, there are so many resources available right now, which allows our franchisees and their property owners the opportunity to stay ahead of the game. For example, banks are being proactive — they’re reaching out to property owners to talk about deferments and SBA lending options.

In addition to financing, PMI is finding a variety of ways to support franchisees during this time, including waiving required fees for those who want to expand their franchise’s offerings by adding an additional one of our four pillars to their business — residential, commercial, association or short-term rental. We’ve also been empowering our Franchise Advisory Council (FAC) to examine partner and vendor relationships to see how they might be leveraged. The FAC is checking in with franchisees to see if there are any partnerships that are being used locally that could be further developed to help generate referral and lead sources.

For franchise opportunities for International Franchise Association (IFA) franchisor member Showhomes, click here.

For franchise opportunities for International Franchise Association (IFA) franchisor member Pool Scouts, click here.

For franchise opportunities for International Franchise Association (IFA) franchisor member Property Management Inc., click here.