Movie review “The Founder” for franchise businesses

“The Founder” is a biographical drama film about Ray Kroc, the man who turned McDonald’s into a global franchise phenomenon. The movie showcases some key lessons that both franchisees and franchisors can learn from. Here are some of them:

1. The importance of a strong brand: McDonald’s became successful not just because of their efficient system and quality food, but also because of their strong brand. A strong brand creates customer loyalty and drives sales. As a franchisor, it’s important to create a recognizable and appealing brand that resonates with customers. This includes developing a clear brand identity, consistent messaging, and branding guidelines that ensure brand consistency across all locations. For franchisees, it’s important to leverage the strength of the brand to drive local marketing efforts and build brand awareness in their local markets.

2. Attention to detail: The McDonald’s brothers had a meticulous system in place that helped their fast-food restaurant stand out from the competition. They paid attention to every detail, from the design of their kitchen to the efficiency of their service. As a franchisor, it’s important to develop systems and processes that are replicable across all locations, and to ensure that franchisees are properly trained to execute those systems with attention to detail. For franchisees, paying attention to details such as customer service, cleanliness, and consistency can help build customer loyalty and drive repeat business.

3. Franchisees should have a say: The success of McDonald’s was also due in part to Ray Kroc’s willingness to listen to the franchisees and their feedback. As a franchisor, it’s important to create channels for franchisees to provide feedback and to take that feedback into account when making decisions that impact the franchise system. For franchisees, having a voice in the decision-making process can help build a sense of ownership and commitment to the success of the franchise.

4. Franchise agreements should be clear: “The Founder” highlights the importance of having a clear franchise agreement that outlines the responsibilities of both the franchisor and franchisee. This can help prevent misunderstandings and disputes down the line. Franchise agreements should clearly define the franchisee’s obligations, including the fees, royalties, and other payments they are required to make, as well as the franchisor’s obligations, such as providing support and training. Clear franchise agreements help create a solid foundation for the franchise relationship and can help prevent conflicts and legal disputes.

5. The importance of innovation: The McDonald’s brothers’ system was innovative for its time and helped them become successful. As a franchisor or franchisee, staying innovative can help you stay ahead of the competition and remain relevant to customers. This includes investing in research and development to create new products and services, and exploring new marketing channels and technologies to reach customers in new ways. Franchisees can also leverage local insights and feedback to test and implement new ideas at the local level, helping to drive innovation across the franchise system.

Overall, “The Founder” highlights the importance of having a strong brand, attention to detail, clear franchise agreements, and innovation, which can be valuable lessons for both franchisees and franchisors.