Today’s digest includes our exclusive conversation with Sean Goldsmith about how franchisors can persevere in the face of adversity.
Global Franchise Podcast: Sean Goldsmith talks carrying on in the face of adversity
In our most recent episode of the Global Franchise Podcast, we spoke to Sean Goldsmith, special advisor to franchising, about the ways in which businesses can make the most of the current predicament they find themselves in.
“What I’ve been saying to everybody is: right now, get your strategy correct. Start marketing, start going out, reconnect with your old customers. Because when that firing gun goes off at the London Marathon, we will be two hours ahead of everybody else.”
To listen to this episode, as well as our entire catalog of exclusive conversations with franchising experts, make sure to check out the podcast here.
Atlanta-based Wing Zone reports an increase in sales during the ongoing pandemic
Wing Zone, an Atlanta-based chicken wing franchise concept with over 80 restaurants in five countries, has reported a surprising increase in sales at some of its locations during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, despite many food and beverage offerings having seen sharp declines or even widespread closures.
Speaking with the Atlanta Journal Constitution, chief executive and founder Matt Friedman explained how his network has largely focused on takeout and delivery, which has really benefitted in the current landscape, when restaurants have largely been forced to shut down their dine-in areas. As a result, Wing Zone’s restaurant sales are up six per cent or more in the last couple of weeks, when compared to the same period a year ago.
“We are doing very well right now as far as restaurants being able to actually thrive during this pandemic,” said Friedman. “We are humbled and lucky, I guess, but it is our model that lends itself at this time.”
Arthur D. Little compiles guide on leading businesses through the COVID-19 crisis
Arthur D. Little, one of the most renowned business consultancy experts in the world, has created a handbook for business leaders on how to successfully navigate the challenges presented by the current health crisis.
Speaking with 25 CEOs and business leaders, Arthur D. Little’s guide covers a multitude of relevant topics, such as what we can learn from countries most impacted by the disease, such as China and Italy, as well as what businesses can do to plan for recovery now, therefore enabling them to grasp new opportunities as they arise.
“At Arthur D. Little we want to play our part in helping the world through the COVID-19 crisis. We felt the best way to do this was to facilitate sharing of knowledge and insight across the business leaders in our network,” said Ignacio Garcia Alves, chairman and CEO, “especially those from critical infrastructure sectors, such as telecoms, utilities and transport, and in countries/regions furthest into the crisis, such as Hong Kong, Italy and Singapore.
“We salute the courage and dedication of these leaders and their teams as they steer their organizations through to calmer waters.”
MagiKats outlines its current approach to franchisee support
MagiKats, a U.K.-based education franchise, recently released a statement detailing the ways in which it is supporting its franchise network and enabling students to continue learning from home. Part announcement for parents who rely on the franchise, the release also acted as advice for other franchises that may be unsure of how to proceed in the current turbulent times.
“One of the first things we did when the crisis hit was to create a Workplace group on Facebook. This is only open to members of the MagiKats network but we felt it was really important to have an open channel of communication,” said a representative of the brand. “It allows us to communicate with our franchisees instantly and regularly throughout the day. Our franchisees are also able to keep in touch with each other via Workplace for important mutual support and to allow a free flow of ideas in respect of different ways of managing the current situation. The general consensus is that our franchisees really appreciate being able to keep in touch with each other.”
Within the statement, MagiKats also affirmed that it is continuously upgrading its KATS computer system so that parents can access future work and print it at home for their children to complete.
TaxAssist Accountants raíces concerns to U.K. chancellor about COVID-19 small business support measures
Daren Moore, group commercial director of TaxAssist Accountants, has written an open letter to chancellor Rishi Sunak requesting he reconsiders key elements of the government’s support and intervention packages.
Following the flurry of recent announcements from the government on new initiatives to support small businesses and the self-employed, the TaxAssist support centre team has been working flat out to offer guidance to its network of accountants and their 76,000 clients.
Daren says: “While we support many of the measures announced to date, we are concerned that large sections of the business community are suffering and that these measures will not provide the help and funding they need.
“We are already seeing our clients under stress and we risk seeing many thousands of small businesses fail without prompt action.”
In his letter, Daren outlined four key issues that TaxAssist’s clients and its franchisees would like to see urgently addressed, including:
- Sole/small company directors and their ineligibility to be furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- The proposal to look at three years for averaging purposes, leaving those who commenced trading since April 5, 2019 financially stranded
- The unfairness of the £50,000 trading profit threshold
- The need for emergency funding to speed up the flow of money
A copy of the letter that was sent to Rishi Sunak can be viewed here.
