10 Things to Look for When Investing in Franchise Software

A franchise must rely on efficient franchise software to compete in today’s highly competitive business climate.

Whether you are operating just a few, or an advance multi-unit franchise, franchise software provides your entire network with one-stop access to daily sales and inventory analysis, menu and recipe management, promotions and campaign management, and up-to-date digital franchise manuals.

Here are ten things to look for when investing in Franchise Software:

1. Proven Track Record

It is important to pick a software developer with franchise industry experience. Many people make the mistake of thinking that they can get by just using Google Docs and Sharepoint to manage crucial communications. Think again.

Work with a provider with broad experience of customizing Franchise specific solutions to maximize your return on investment, and dramatically improve your end result.

2. Communication

You want franchise software that will allow seamless communications among all units from one platform. It must ensure that the employees and owner/s have access to all the important daily information regarding all company matters.

Of course, it’s online 24 hours a day to work across time zones.

3. Cloud Based

The franchise software should operate on a cloud based platform. This means information can be shared much more quickly and will minimize hosting costs.

A cloud based franchise software solution ensures that information is always synchronized across the franchise chain.

4. Digital Franchise Manuals

It should be able to preserve digital manuals and documented information that can be shared and updated from the central office.

5. Promotions and Marketing App

Your franchise software should provide a means to roll out promotions and marketing campaigns to your local customer base. For instance, look for franchise software pre-equipped with tools for direct mailing campaigns, SMS text marketing, and e-mailing. This is practical if one location is running a special.

The system should also enable the head office to roll out central, pan-franchise promotions or campaigns.

6. Training Offered

A good franchise software developer will also work with your team during the roll out phase. Remember that implementation is as important as the franchise software itself.

With a good training team to guide you through the implementation, your staff will be well on the way to use the franchise software effectively.

7. E-Learning Capability

Many franchise software providers have built in e-learning modules so that you can roll out local or global training programs so that your staff can improve skills and take mandatory courses. E-Learning also helps you save on travel.

8. Media Database

Your Franchise Software should have a tool that can host all your images, audio and media file so that your staff can easily access brand compliant designs and templates to produce their own local marketing materials.

9. Vendor Management

The franchise software should make it easy to access preferred vendors and procurement procedures.

10. Customizable

While many franchise software systems can be implemented right out of the box in as little as 2 weeks, factoring in any back end system connectivity, it is important to consider a franchise software that can be specialized to the needs of your franchise.

Franchise software developers often have an expert team on board to help customize your franchise software platform.

In conclusion, don’t just settle for a simple sharepoint that will not maximize your true potential as a franchise. Instead, work with a real franchise software developer with roots in the industry and ability to customize the franchise software to your business.