How will you learn to manage your new Canadian business?

When looking for a Canadian franchise, you’ve probably looked at length at the type of business, investment needs, financial health and brand reputation, and other key areas of a franchise system. However, there is one area that potential franchisees can overlook, and that is the very important training of franchisees.

The sales training – or lack of training – that you receive from your franchisor will have a direct impact on the operation and profits of your site. After all, one of the biggest benefits of joining a franchise is having access to a proven system, but you can’t take full advantage of that benefit without fully understanding how that system works.

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How will I be trained?

There are two main types of training in a franchise, namely on-the-job training and training offered by the franchisor, before you open your doors. Ideally, you will receive both types of the franchise in which you decide to invest. Having all of your training done outside of the company will not prepare you 100% for the actual operations experience, and having no training before opening your business can be a disaster.

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Where am I going to train?

On-the-job training will likely take place at your site or another fully operational site within the same system. For training outside of work, you will likely need to go to the franchisor’s head office or other designated location. The duration of the training varies depending on the brand. You can also take online training before and / or after your training at headquarters.

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What am I going to learn?

What your training will cover will depend on your franchisor’s program, but franchisee training often covers the areas listed below:

• Service and / or product details

• Operations including equipment, software and IT -Advertising and marketing -Employee, payroll, finance and inventory management -Customer acquisition and retention -Post of sale system -Supplier relationships

It may seem like an overwhelming list of things to know. It’s not uncommon for franchisees to feel a bit buried under everything they need to learn before opening their doors. However, the more you understand these areas, the better able you will be to manage your franchise.

It is important to note that you should work with a franchisor who also offers training in the future. Even the most comprehensive initial training will not make up for a lack of up-to-date training later when the brand launches a new product or service or changes operational software. This type of training usually does not require a weekend at headquarters and is often done online or in groups at a location close to your business.

Before investing in a Canadian franchise, make sure that a solid training system is in place. The training you receive will be the start of your journey as a franchisee, so you will need as much support as possible during this critical time.