Buying a franchise is a big step, made easier when the franchisor behind the brand has a genuinely supportive partnership approach.

Award-winning, Australian-born fresh quick-service restaurant brand LeWrap specialises in fresh, made-to-order wraps, bowls and plates. It’s a business founded on the values of good food and great customer service.

And at the heart of LeWrap there is a strong belief that franchising is about more than providing a business model. 

Manal Haydar is the group general manager of the parent company Retail Systems Group.

“From the beginning of the business journey, we take on all the stress of finding a site, negotiating a lease and the store fit out, set up the systems and stakeholder accounts, so the franchisee simply goes into the store with everything set up and opening orders placed,” Manal says.

Four weeks of comprehensive training

This minimised risk approach helps set up franchisees for success, and it’s boosted by a comprehensive four weeks of training for new franchisees. 

“We go through every facet of the business, tailoring training to suit the franchisee and their team,” Manal says.

Franchisees who have hospitality experience may need help learning to read and prepare a profit and loss statement while for those with accounting or finance backgrounds, the challenges will be operational.

“We work with the franchise candidate, rostering them in store shifts over a four-week period. We accommodate their roster to allow for any family commitments throughout this period. They might be transitioning from a corporate role with accrued annual leave, or be a parent needing to pick up children from school. We tailor our training program to some degree that works around  this,” she says.

“It’s about making this an easy transition into owning your own business,” Manal says.

The extensive classroom training at head office includes insights into each department, with teams explaining to franchise buyers how they support and add value.

The marketing team and brand manager showcase all the support provided before, during and after the store opening, and assist in the planning for local area marketing campaigns which will embed the business in their local community.

Part of the store opening strategy is getting the community excited about the arrival of LeWrap with site hoardings as the store is set up. It’s the ideal opportunity to recruit for job opportunities too.

“We add a QR code to the hoardings to make it simple to apply for a job, and then our support team assist the franchisee through the screening and interview process. We even support the franchisee with staff training prior to doors opening,” Manal explains.

A dedicated retail support team

Once a franchisee opens their store, a LeWrap dedicated retail support team is on hand to guide them through the first two weeks of operations.

The training and support helps build franchisees’ confidence they have the knowledge and skills to run the store and lead their team.

And this early support is not a set and forget program. The franchisor takes an intense interest in new businesses for the first 12 months, with regular check ups, and fortnightly on-site visits.

The support team conducts training and skills gap analyses, and pays close attention to a franchisee’s overall operations, sales and profitability. 

And recognising that every business has its challenges, the franchisor has an open door policy, so franchisees can get the help they need.

“If something goes awry, franchisees are not left to fix it. We pull up our sleeves, and help solve the problem,” Manal says.

Sustained support helps build growth

“As brands get bigger there is often less of a focus on tailored support. I know from my experience the importance of a franchisor not losing that personal touch. 

“Franchisees buy a business for the support, and we are going on the journey with franchisees. And they love it. I have franchisees just seven months into their business journey, talking about opening a second store.”

While the support structure develops business confidence, the there’s a clear process to franchisee expansion, Manal says. 

“To set franchisees up for success, we need to believe and see they are ready. We need to make sure they have a solid team, that there is someone to take their place in order to support the expanded structure. 

“We work with them on their expansion journey. Once they get to four stores, they need to have their own area manager to support their network growth.”

As LeWrap undertakes its biggest expansion phase, there are not just opportunities for existing franchisees to grow. The business is focused on bringing new franchisees into the network as the brand spreads across New South Wales and beyond.

And for the right franchisees, it’s an opportunity to step into business with an expert and experienced franchisor team on hand for support.

“With our intensive support, we’ve taken the guesswork out of operating a franchise, providing our franchisees with the tools, guidance and ongoing support needed to build a successful business,” Manal says.