Franchise Business Consultant - Sonic

As a Franchise Business Consultant at SONIC, your responsibilities are centered around achieving operational and business performance goals set by your regional operations leader. This includes facilitating Annual Planning and Franchise Business Review processes, coaching franchisees, tracking performance data, and supporting remodels and new store openings. You'll engage collaboratively with various teams to ensure franchisees understand operational expectations to deliver a safe and consistent brand experience.

To become a Franchise Business Consultant at SONIC, a minimum high school diploma or GED is required, while a Bachelor’s degree is preferred. Additionally, five years of experience in supervisory management or multi-unit operations is ideal. Aligned with good communication skills, strong organizational abilities, and a thorough understanding of restaurant operations, these qualifications will set you up for success in this role.

A Franchise Business Consultant at SONIC should possess excellent oral and written communication skills alongside organizational proficiency. Key skills also include the ability to build relationships, adapt to changing situations, and creatively solve problems. Proficiency in utilizing data for decision-making and having sound business and financial acumen are critical to driving results effectively in this role.

The work environment for a Franchise Business Consultant at SONIC is dynamic and collaborative. You will work closely with franchisees, construction teams, and various internal departments to drive results and maintain brand standards. Expect travel as part of the role, as you will be consulting with your portfolio of franchisees directly. The culture encourages creativity and fosters relationships, making it an exciting place to be.

The Franchise Business Consultant at SONIC supports franchisee growth by establishing clear performance goals, providing ongoing coaching based on data insights, and ensuring they have the necessary resources and knowledge to succeed. Regular check-ins, accountability measures, and assistance during remodeling or new openings are all strategies used to foster success and network growth among franchisees.

When tracking performance for franchisees, I prioritize setting clear metrics aligned with specific goals. I use data analytics tools to interpret key performance indicators and regularly check in with franchisees to assess their progress, providing recommendations based on observed trends and insights.

In a past role, I encountered a franchisee struggling with compliance issues. I initiated a transparent conversation to understand the root cause and then worked collaboratively to create a tailored action plan, enabling them to meet compliance standards while maintaining open communication to ensure sustained progress.

I believe in establishing trust through consistent communication and showing genuine interest in their business challenges and successes. By being approachable and offering tailored support, I foster strong relationships that encourage franchisees to share feedback and engage in open dialogue for mutual growth.

Balancing compliance and franchisee autonomy involves clearly communicating brand standards while also empowering franchisees to make decisions within those guidelines. I aim to be a resource rather than a barrier, offering guidance when needed but allowing them the flexibility to innovate and adapt their practices.

In my previous roles, I regularly analyzed financial statements and performance metrics to identify trends impacting profitability. I also coached franchisees on managing expenses effectively while maximizing revenue opportunities, ensuring they fully understood how to interpret and act upon financial data.

Training is crucial in my role as it equips franchisees with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed. I actively collaborate with field training teams to ensure that training materials are relevant, engaging, and tailored to meet the unique needs of each franchisee's operational context.

I approach goal-setting collaboratively by first assessing current performance levels and discussing their ambitions. We set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals together that align with both brand standards and the franchisee's aspirations, periodically revisiting these goals for updates and adjustments.

I collaborated with a franchisee on a local marketing campaign focusing on seasonal promotions. By utilizing targeted social media ads and community engagement events, we drove increased traffic to the store. Monitoring its success demonstrated the effectiveness of community-driven initiatives.

To evaluate restaurant performance, I utilize several quantitative and qualitative metrics, including sales figures, customer feedback, and operational audits. Assessing these varied factors ensures a comprehensive view of each franchisee's performance and identifies areas needing improvement.

I stay updated on industry trends by subscribing to relevant publications, attending restaurant industry conferences, and engaging with networks of franchise professionals. This knowledge allows me to share actionable insights with franchisees, helping them adapt and thrive in a competitive landscape.