FBR Issue 3 - 2021

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RECIPE FOR SUCCESS Supporting franchisees this past year proved pivotal for Top Food Franchises Rarely does a day go by when Landon Eckles doesn’t count his blessings. While many of his colleagues in the food service industry struggled to cope and even survive COVID-19 restrictions this past year, his beverage and food franchise actually thrived, posting year-over-year revenue growth while adding to his inventory of franchise units. “I think sometimes you’re lucky and sometimes you’re good. For us it was probably a combination of both,” said Landon, who, along with his wife Kat, own one of the fastest growing health-focused food and beverage franchise brands on the market with Clean Juice. “If anything, COVID made people take a long hard look at their health, and of course a big part of that is eating right and what you put into your bodies. People started to take notice of what we were offering with our healthy organic food products, and that really appealed to them,” Eckles said. The first USDA-certified organic juice bar when it was launched five years ago, Clean Juice is one of a select group of brands that were recognized by Franchise Business Review recently as one the Top Food Franchises of 2021. The 30 award-winning companies on FBR’s list were identified based on survey feedback from 10,220 franchise owners across many of today’s leading food service franchise brands over the past 18 months. For this year’s research, each franchise owner was asked 33 benchmark questions about their franchisor that focused on areas such as leadership, training & support, financial opportunity, and core values, as well as more personal questions concerning their business lifestyle and overall enjoyment of running their franchise. Among the more recognizable brands on FBR’s Top Food Franchises List are Checkers & Since 1994, FBR Top Food Franchise award-winner Wetzel’s Pretzels has expanded to more than 340 fresh bakery locations across the U.S. and world. Rally’s, Kona Ice, Qdoba, Tropical Smoothie and Wingstop. Nothing Bundt Cakes, another popular national brand, was named Best in Category in the food and beverage segment in FBR’s 2021 Franchisee Satisfaction Awards. Two newcomers to the list—Ellianos Coffee Co. and Wetzel’s Pretzels, also made FBR’s Top Culture List. “The 30 award-winning food brands that made our list were lauded for their ability to work with franchisees and help them navigate all the challenges thrown at them this past 88% of franchise owners in FBR’s Top Food List “Would Recommend Their Brand to Others” 6 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
FBR Top Food Franchise award-winner Kona Ice has more than 1,310 franchise units operating in the U.S. and Canada. year,” said Eric Stites, Founder & CEO of Franchise Business Review. “The data is very telling in that it provides real insight into the franchises that were best able to navigate the pandemic while maintaining their strong relationships with their franchisees.” Stites points out that franchise owners are often better positioned to weather a setback— even something as devastating as a public health crisis—better than small independent, “mom-and-pop businesses” because they can draw on support, strong leadership, and brand recognition of a large franchise organization and a network of fellow franchisees. “Yes, things were bad overall for the restaurant industry this past year, but there were food brands, fast-service franchises in particular, that had a great company behind them guiding them on how to pivot their businesses to more efficient pick-up and delivery models,” Stites said. “The brands on our list also took on the responsibility for the financial health of their franchisees by guiding them through the whole Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan process, renegotiating their leases and just keeping the communication channels open to their business operators. “And that’s really the big advantage of being part of a strong franchise,” said Stites, “having that reliable support system, always watching your back when things go bad.” STRONG RECOVERY ON THE MENU It is estimated that the pandemic cost the U.S. restaurant industry a staggering $240 billion in sales in 2020, according to the National Restaurant Association. But economists are already tracking a robust recovery in 2021 as more people get vaccinated and restaurant restrictions continue to ease up to full capacity around the country. 72% of the franchise owners on the FBR Top Food List remained optimistic about meeting their business goals, even during the pandemic. Couple that with the public’s changing culinary habits and pent-up appetite for eating out again at their favorite eateries, and the restaurant sector is looking to restart the record-setting trajectory enjoyed prior to the pandemic. The International Franchise Association, using FRANdata statistics, projects quick-service restaurant franchise establishments alone will grow 4.1 percent this year. For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 7
Page 1 and 2: Franchise Business REVIEW Ratings a
Page 3 and 4: Features //2021 Issue 3 6 12 20 5 L
Page 5: Letter from the editor Franchise ow
Page 9 and 10: 84% A + of the franchise owners on
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Page 13 and 14: the top companies named to Franchis
Page 15 and 16: FEATURED FRANCHISEE ? DID YOU KNOW
Page 21 and 22: Ralph Moccio (In Memorium) INXPRESS
Page 23 and 24: Mark Chasteen FIBRENEW, NASHVILLE,
Page 25 and 26: Funding Your Franchise: You Have Op
Page 27 and 28: FEATURED FRANCHISEE MELANIE SWEET C
Page 29 and 30: Spread Joy, Enrich Lives, and Serve
Page 31 and 32: Most companies have struggled durin
Page 33: FEATURED FRANCHISEE WILL BUYING A F

FBR Issue 3 - 2021

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