Franchising News and Information

Franchisees with multiple locations need a large number of employees to keep their businesses running smoothly. How do they handle hiring, training and problem employees? Three of them reveal their handling of this vital aspect of business.

How do you hire and fire?
Take time to find the right fit for our culture. When it is not working out, we move on and have a suitable replacement ready to go.
Shirin Kanji, multi-unit franchisee of Rent-A-Centers, Marriott/Starwood, Hilton, Hyatt, BurgerFi, and Carstar

How do you hire and fire?
We look for people who are committed and passionate about the restaurant business and the brand they’re interviewing for. People that don’t either consistently honor their word in performance or lack some type of passion have a short tenure here.
Mike Hamra, multi-unit franchisee of Wendy’s, Panera Bread, Noodles & Company, Holiday Inn Express

How do you hire and fire?
Very carefully. We use several different pre-screening tools and e-verify all candidates. We have hired HR staff to assist us with terminations.
Eric Holm, multi-unit franchisee of Golden Corral, Krispy Kreme, Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites —Multi-Unit Franchisee

Photo: Hotel workers

What with Japan’s labor crunch, Seven-Eleven (7-Eleven is spelled out by the company in Japan) franchisee Mitoshi Matsumoto, 57, found himself working longer and longer hours. Something had to give. He asked his franchisor to allow him to close his 24/7 store for five hours daily, but corporate refused. He closed anyway.

Seven-Eleven warned he would be violating his contract and could not only lose his license, but also be slapped with a $150,000 fine. That’s when Matsumoto took his case to the media.

The result was an outpouring of sympathy for the beleaguered franchisee and a round of condemnation against Seven-Eleven. Some newly emboldened franchisees backed Matsumoto, demanding change. —Mitsuru Obe & Kenji Kawase, Nikkei Asian Review

Around 100 stores out of over 20,000 Seven-Eleven locations in Japan are requesting shorter operating hours.

Photo by Michael Ocampo