The Chinese Zodiac Calendar pegs 2017 as the Year of the Rooster. Its meaning is in part represented by both punctuality and loyalty — which is great news for franchise employers! But on a more serious note, FranNet is trying to help you prepare for the best entrepreneurial year yet in 2017. In doing so, we hope to provide you with a few predictions as we get the year going.
This blog is Predictions Part I: What Franchisees Should Expect in 2017. Part II will be revealed later this week. So please read on and be sure to check back on Thursday for our second half of the predictions.
In terms of predictions, four key franchising categories should remain a strong and safe bet in the new year. These include: hair care, QSR (especially sandwiches!), cleaning services and fitness. Some of the top brands leading the way for these categories were both familiar and successful in 2016. The leaders in those respective industries have a best-in-class franchise business model and solid brand awareness in the marketplace.
Technology will continue to play a key part in how franchised businesses reach their audiences. You’d be hard pressed to find a leading franchise that doesn’t already have a mobile app instrumental in ordering goods and services. 2016 was the first year in which mobile devices surpassed desktop computers in terms of how users get their information. Expect franchise brands to continue branching out into other fast-moving social media platforms which can disseminate their offerings directly to consumers.
Big data is more than just a catchphrase. In 2017, successful franchise brands will devote even more time to developing database systems with more and more customer information. If you like to order pizza every Friday night at 7:00 p.m., you can bet that franchise advertising outreach efforts will key in on your purchasing habits. Much of this outreach will even be cross-device, meaning computers, tablets and smartphones will all be equally effective methods.
We hope you’ve enjoyed these key predictions for 2017. Keep in mind that we’ll have additional predictions in our Thursday blog edition, as we ramp up the 2017 franchise business year. Thank you for stopping by…
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