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It’s not for everyone to be sure. In fact, it’s for very few. Estimates range from 3-5% of all franchisors use this method of growth as a corporate strategy. Maybe, only about 15% even should consider it. However, when the right franchise concept, with a dynamic business model and strong unit economics embrace it… it can be MAGIC and make the brand a “Force” to be reckoned with.

What is Regional Franchise Development? Do we know it by any other name? Oh yes we do – Regional Representative, Area Director, Area Representative and of course Master Franchising. Oh ok, now I’ve heard of those – so what’s the difference? Basically, not much but if the Franchisor shares the Franchise Fees, Royalties and sometimes Distribution income with these Strategic Market “Partners” (legal guys – please don’t sweat the use of “Partner” here – I use it mainly for illustration purposes and not strict legal definition – thanks!) then you have the makings of a Challenging, exciting and VERY rewarding business building opportunity – both for the Franchisor and for the Regional Developer (RD) (we’ll stick with this Acronym for these articles).

We’ll start off this series by discussing WHY a Franchisor would decide to develop their brand this way and what they can expect to see in terms of growth and infrastructure development. Then we’ll explore what benefits (branding, revenue opportunities, etc.) are in store for the company, the RD and the Franchisees too.

FOUR Reasons for a Franchisor to Consider
Regional Development as a Growth Strategy

1)  Faster Growth – more sales efforts in each Region.

2) Lower Corporate overhead costs – staff up to support approximately 60 Regional Developers.

3) Greater collective EXPERIENCE of Regional Developers brings more objective input with local experience. No “Ivory Tower” syndrome.

4) Better ongoing franchisee support with costs pushed out to the Regional Developers.

The RD has an incentive to develop the Region as quickly as possible; therefore the franchise recruiting efforts can begin immediately within the local market. Using Business Brokers, Franchise Consultants, Local Networking, Online Portals, Classic Advertising, Social Media (I won’t even get started on THAT here), etc. are some ways to find the most interested, qualified and “ready to move” candidates. Of course, once the “Pilot Unit” is open, customers of many concepts have become franchisees themselves after experiencing the products / services of the franchise as a consumer.

Imagine the growth curve for the franchisor as the RDs begin to recruit in their local market – face to face – filtering out the unqualified and presenting the ones who are properly vetted to the franchisor for approval. What kind of candidate would an RD be looking for? One with whom they feel they can work well together, who will be a TEAM PLAYER in the market with the other franchisees, and will be receptive to coaching and mentoring that the RD will provide.

What would the Franchisor’s costs be to hire, train, house, and compensate franchise sales people to accomplish the same thing? The Franchisors who “do the math” clearly understand this concept. It can result in strong, controlled, and calculated growth. Who doesn’t want that?

One VERY SUCCESSFUL franchise concept that rolled out exclusively thru Regional Development has over 540 units open (800+ awarded) across the USA and is supported by a staff of only 40 at corporate HQ. Those staff members support the RDs and the RDs support the franchisees in their local markets. It’s a tiered distribution of support. Remember, the RDs are compensated for this with the sharing of the Royalties paid by the franchisees. (More about the revenue streams to the RDs later).

It still needs to be done correctly, having sufficient staff to support initial RD location openings, etc. This company did it right, for the most part, enduring some bumps and bruises along the way, but there are certainly others who haven’t. What caused their downfall? That’s for another installment…

Bubbling up the “Best Practices” from the Regions thru the RDs provides the Franchisor with invaluable “field research” to improve the brand, its offerings and stay better apprised of the competition.

If you think about it, it is actually a “selling” feature of a franchise to have local support by someone who has a vested interest in the success of the franchisees in their market. Often the RD is only a short distance away and visits more frequently than head office staffers dispatched quarterly or less frequently.

Branding is better controlled as well since the RD is responsible for monitoring the local co-op advertising activities in their market.

So, we see the benefits for the Franchisor, RD and Franchisee can be substantial. What are we looking for in a Regional Developer? What characteristics should be avoided for an RD? Is it for you? Is this the right time in your life and personal circumstances?

Stay tuned for the next installment but remember…When the right person is matched with the right Regional Franchise Development opportunity -it can be MAGIC!