Tag Archives: charitable franchises

Community Outreach: What is your business doing for your community?

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Recent studies are showing that volunteer rates in America are on the rise. A 2012 study by the U.S. Corporation for National and Community Service found that two-out-of-three citizens serve their communities today and those numbers are increasing each year. Sociologists believe we are seeing a shift in many parts of the country where people are returning to focusing on their smaller communities, through supporting local goods and services, as well their local nonprofits.

Why is this important to national franchises? Any smart business should follow sociological trends. Therefore, national franchise systems are challenged to create a local presence in their community. People want their neighbor Doug running the shop down the road, contributing to the local economy, and therefore national franchises should encourage their independent locations to run as such. The way to do this is through community outreach.

Community outreach shows the public that you ARE a part of the community. While you may be part of a large national company, you are living, working, and investing in the individual communities you serve. By franchise systems partnering with local charities, they show the community that they care about the individual communities they operate within.

“Building a Company Culture for Community Outreach” a recent article in Franchising World, by Robert A. Funk, gives guidelines for how to go about making community relations an important part of your business’s culture. Here are a few I especially liked:

1)      Communicate Core Values

First and foremost, you have to set direction, with both a mission and a vision. Market yourself as a philanthropic company, and use social media to show what you’re doing for your local charities.

 

2)      Financial Contributions

At the corporate level, franchises can supply grants to community projects, as well as local initiatives and programs that support their charitable mission.

 

3)      Engage Your Customers

People want to purchase from a business that is sincere and authentic about giving. Franchises can ask customers to directly donate to the cause, making them feel just as much a part of the giving as the franchise itself.

Franchises That Are Making a Difference

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The franchise industry has a bad reputation as an industry that force feeds processed foods to the masses and cons its franchisees into paying high franchise fees.

 

But, there’s more to franchising than just French fries and lawsuits.

 

Concepts do exist that make a difference in the lives of customers, communities and franchisees. Some concepts help people change their lives for the better, others offer healthy alternatives to junk food and then there are those that are encouraging positive social change in the business world. Here is our list of favorite franchises that are making a difference:

 

[highlight]Healthy Vending Machine Concepts[/highlight]

Usually, it’s not our three main meals of the day that are our unhealthiest, it’s our snacks. Healthy vending machines remind me of the saying, “Don’t hate the player, hate the game.” By stocking conveniently located vending machines with better, more nutritious options, these vending machine franchises are reinventing our definition of convenience foods.

  • Naturals 2 Go
  • Health You Vending
  • Fresh Healthy Vending

 

[highlight]Personal Fitness Franchises[/highlight]

Just watch one episode of “The Biggest Loser” and you’ll understand America’s fascination–and need– for businesses that empower others to get in shape, lose weight and be healthy. These fitness franchises give their customers and franchisees the power to change lives for the better.

 

[highlight]Socially and Environmentally Conscious[/highlight]

Almost 70 percent of adults are more likely to visit a restaurant that offers food grown or raised in an organic or environmentally-friendly way.  Over 40 percent of Americans say they’ve purchased an item solely because of its association with a social or environmental cause. If you think being a socially and/or environmentally conscientious business isn’t important, think again. These franchises have their minds set right.

 

[highlight] Charitable Giving[/highlight]

A full 83 percent of consumers want more products, services and retailers to benefit worthy causes. Some make financial donations while others give their time. Even still, some are known to provide meals for those in need.