There’s a lot that happens when you buy a franchise. One aspect rarely talked about is the social giving side of franchise ownership.
As a new business owner in your community, you have a unique opportunity to give back to the people you serve. This goes beyond your standard service offerings. You are able to support your local community in new ways.
If you want to feel more fulfilled in your franchise, here are five ways you can give back and invest socially in your area.
#1. Sponsor Community Events
Once you open your doors, chances are you will be hit up with requests for sponsorship of local events. Decide on which ones make the most sense for your franchise and take part. You’ll get exposure for your business and you’ll feel good advertising because your money goes to a good cause. It’s a win-win.
#2. Start a Franchise Where You Work With Vulnerable Clients
If you haven’t chosen a franchise yet, this is your chance to get in with one that will leave you feeling fulfilled.
Open a franchise where you get to work with more vulnerable customers. Children’s based learning centers or senior care centers are prime examples of businesses that cater to clients with special needs. You don’t need to have an advanced background to bring these types of services to your area.
#3. Hire Veterans
Veterans often have a hard time finding work after they come home from deployment. It’s one of the biggest struggles facing this demographic – and it’s something you as a franchise owner can help change.
Veterans are equipped with leadership and managerial skills from their time in the military. These people are disciplined and hungry for work. Give them the opportunity and you’ll have a healthy workforce backing your brand.
After hiring veterans and/or spouses of veterans, give them a public shout out in your place of business. Starbucks, for example, has pins to designate people who have served or are related to someone who has served. This lets your customers form a deeper connection with your employees, which in turn could help spur your sales.
#4. Host Fundraisers at Your Franchise Location
Teams, choirs and clubs all use fundraisers to get the money to complete their mission. These fundraisers can send school aged kids on field trips. It can help clubs get the supplies they need to operate. They’re essential to the extracurricular success of your community.
As a franchise, you can allow these people to host a fundraiser at your place of business. For example, if you’re a food business, offer to give a certain percentage of the sales for a night to the local club. You’ll draw a bigger crowd, raise awareness about your brand and show your community how much you support their children’s future.
#5. Join Your Local Chamber of Commerce
Many Chambers help to bring in non-profit organizations in the community and align them with local business owners. As a member of your local Chamber of Commerce, you’ll get the opportunity to find out who needs your support. You will form deeper connections, learn about non-profit groups in your area you might not have heard about before, and connect with other socially-inclined business owners.
Takeaways
Giving back is one of the most fulfilling parts of franchise ownership. If you can find ways to support your local community both financially and socially, you’ll have a much more rewarding experience with your business. How are you giving back socially?
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