SUPPLIERS ISSUE9 Steps: How to Join IFA’s Supplier ForumPG. 12

Finding YourDream SupplierPG. 16

The definitive guide to finding franchise suppliers I PG. 62

2019 Supplier Source Book

Sneak PeakPG. 20

OCTOBER 2018

FRANCHISE.ORG

I t takes a village to run a franchise brand, yet many emerging franchisors run a

lean operation. A Place at Home is one of those franchisors. Every department and division relies on numerous suppliers. Doing everything internally is nearly impossible, which is why it’s important to rely on these third-party partners. Currently, we work with more than 40 suppliers who support our business through payroll services, scheduling, training, digital marketing and advertising, legal, accounting, CRM, and the list continues to grow.

There are so many options for suppliers and it can be a very

time-consuming process to narrow them down. It’s certainly been a learning process since co-founder Dustin Distefano and I established A Place at Home six years ago, but today we’re incredibly confident in the dozens of strong supplier partnerships we’ve established. Here we’ve identified some best practices emerging franchisors can use to help in their search for Ì�«�y��}�Ì�ÃÕ««��iÀð

Explore OptionsThe biggest supplier isn’t

always the best one. Always look at more than one option to ensure

Finding Your Dream SupplierA successful business depends in part on selecting the

best cast of cohorts for your brand.

By Jerod Evanich

Doing everything internally is

nearly impossible, which is why

it’s important to rely heavily on

these third-party partners.

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16 FRANCHISING WORLD / October 2018

the product or service you are considering is competitive and fully meets your needs. Ask to speak with one or more of the company’s current customers. If this is not an option, ask for data on a client whose business is similar to yours.

Find Great PartnersSimply being able to execute

what you hire them for shouldn’t be your only criteria. Vet companies that have franchise knowledge, an ability to scale as you grow, outstanding customer support, the ability to talk with a live person to get questions answered, competitive pricing, and ëiV�wV�iÝ«iÀ�i�Vi����Þ�ÕÀ���`ÕÃÌÀÞ°�Also, suppliers who offer discounted pricing to franchisees increases its value to a franchisor.

For us, i t was impor tant to f ind suppliers that had a history working with franchise companies, but it wasn’t a deal breaker. Every supplier s tar t s somewhere. Suppliers that have a proven track record working with multiple locations, even if not franchises, are essential.

Seek RecommendationsOther f ranchisors or IFA

recommended many of the suppliers we use. Lean on your network to help identify and evaluate potential suppliers. Our experience with the NextGen in Franchising Global Competition >�Ã��«À�Ûi`�Li�iwV�>�°�During a roundtable discussion with one of the NextGen advisors, we received some great counsel. But the advice that really stuck took place during a special session with the former CEO of Great Clips, who said his longest-lasting relationship

and most valuable supplier resulted from a handshake and never anything more than that.

Consider Goals, Evaluate

One thing that was non-negotiable as we were vetting suppliers was their ability to help A Place at Home grow

nationwide. Coast-to-coast growth is crucial to complete our mission. As

(continued from page 16)

Even after you have selected

your suppliers, your work is

not complete.

Simply being able to execute what you hire them for shouldn’t be your only

criteria.

of July 2018, we had four franchisees operating in Colorado, California, Michigan and Oregon, and our

supplier partners have been instrumental in helping us scale.

Even af ter you have selected your suppliers, your work i s not complete. It is impor tant to collaborate with these par tners and your franchisees to ensure that the produc t or service they are

providing is consistent and in line with the expectations that were set forth. If a supplier is falling short of these expectations, within reason, give them a chance to make it right. If their performance proves to be inadequate, part ways. There are many other suppliers that want your business and far bigger concerns than underperforming partners.

Going Back to Mission, Values

Whether deciding on awarding a franchise, hiring an employee or even selecting your supplier partners, it’s important that the supplier shares your brand’s core values. Partner with individuals and companies that align with these values, and you will grow and succeed the right way. 7

Jerod Evanich is Co-Founder, President, and Head of Franchise Operations for A Place At Home, a senior-focused care franchise

operating in six states. He was a finalist in the IFA Foundation’s 2018 NextGen in Franchising Global Competition. Learn more at franchise.org/a-place-at-home-llc-franchise.

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