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When I talk to people considering investing in new franchise brands, they often express joy at the opportunity to be part of building a brand from scratch. However, they often need help figuring out how to effectively assess a brand’s success potential. “Will this brand be the next Chick-fil-A?”
By understanding the strategies that have contributed to the success of Chick-fil-A, you can make an informed decision about whether a particular brand aligns with your goals and values and can become a success story.
In this article, I’ll cover six key strategies that have made Chick-fil-A a household name and how you can apply them to evaluate new franchise options. Let’s take a look at what it takes to pick a franchise that can be a success story.
Related: Chick-fil-A Has ‘The Slowest Drive In The Country’, But It Still Makes Big Profits
Strong brand identity
Chick-fil-A has a solid and recognizable brand that has been built over the years through a focus on quality food, customer service and religious values.
As an entrepreneur looking to invest in a franchise, you can learn from Chick-fil-A and focus your search on brands that have developed or are developing a unique and compelling brand for their franchise. By creating a clear and consistent brand message that engages the target audience, entrepreneurs can create an emotional connection with the brand and attract repeat customers who are willing to pay higher prices for products. For an entrepreneur, this is the ideal scenario.
Limited menu works wonders
Chick-fil-A’s menu is relatively limited compared to other fast food chains. This allows the company to focus on improving fewer products. As an entrepreneur exploring franchise options, you might want to take note of this strategy and consider focusing on brands that offer a limited number of services to their customers. It really comes down to quality, not quantity.
Limited services can also help manage overhead costs more effectively and reduce operational complexity. In addition, studies have also shown that limited menu and service options can increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. Brands that take this approach are discovering that less is more when it comes to building a successful franchise.
Related: Chick-fil-A is about to sell its new chicken-free sandwich. What’s in it?
Emphasis on a specific niche
Chick-fil-A achieved its success by focusing on chicken, a popular staple in the fast food industry. New franchise brands can learn from this by finding a niche or specialty they can focus on and excel in. This will help them stand out in a crowded market.
The development of a unique outlet and its development can also provide higher profits for you as a franchisee. By focusing on a specific niche, you as a potential franchisee will also be able to serve a specific customer base and be more effective in any marketing effort. Work smart, not force.
Using strategic expansion
Chick-fil-A’s continued growth in the US and internationally is an important factor in its success. As an entrepreneur exploring various franchise options, it’s important to consider how a brand approaches growth. You should not only look for opportunities to expand, but also ensure that the brand expands responsibly.
As a potential franchisee, you want to make sure the brand has the right support team and resources to support growth. On the other hand, stagnant growth or lack thereof is also a concern. The key to growth, as with Chick-fil-A, is to expand sustainably so that the franchise doesn’t outgrow its supporting infrastructure.
By understanding brand growth strategies, you will be better equipped to choose a franchise that can become as successful as Chick-fil-A.
Related: Chick-fil-A Franchise Cost and What to Know Before Investing
Focus on customer service
Chick-fil-A is renowned for its excellent customer service, which contributes to a positive customer experience. As an entrepreneur exploring franchise options, it’s important to look for brands that have a strong focus on customer satisfaction.
Providing a welcoming and prompt service can help attract and retain customers for a franchise. Simple gestures can go a long way in building customer loyalty and a positive brand image. Brands that invest heavily in training and incentivizing employees can foster a culture of exceptional customer service that leads to increased customer satisfaction, repeat customers and revenue.
In addition, building a reputation for providing excellent customer service can also lead to word of mouth advertising and a positive overall brand image, which is critical to the success of any franchise.
Ability to run unique marketing campaigns
Chick-fil-A is known for its creative and out-of-the-box marketing campaigns that have helped the company stand out from the competition and create buzz. It is important for an aspiring franchisee to look for a brand that is constantly experimenting with new and unique marketing tactics to attract customers.
This may include using smart slogans and creating viral campaigns and social media events. By analyzing a brand’s marketing efforts, you’ll be able to determine if it’s a creative way to stand out in a crowded marketplace, which can ultimately increase traffic and revenue for the franchise.
Chick-fil-A’s famous “Eat Mor Chikin” campaign is a great example of this. By using cows to promote chicken instead of beef, the company created a memorable and effective campaign that is still used today after 20 years. In addition, creating campaigns that tell a story or evoke emotion can also be a powerful tool for building a strong brand and connecting with customers, which is vital to the long-term success of any business.
RELATED: 25 Interesting Facts You Should Know About Chick-fil-A
It is extremely important to do your research and not fall for promotional offers. Investing in a new franchise can be an exciting opportunity, but it’s critical to make sure the brand you choose has the key attributes of long-term success, as outlined above.