Multi-Unit Franchisee Insight - Business Philosophy & Management Style - Part 5

We talk to successful multi-unit operators regularly here at Franchise Update Media. These busy on-the-go people share great insight and wisdom with us through our profile stories in Multi-Unit Franchisee magazine. Here, from our archives, are some insightful responses from some of these franchisees.

Business philosophy:
At Both, Inc. we work very hard to balance aggressive business tactics and caution. In business you need both traits in your quiver of arrows, but you also must be careful of too much or too little of either. I like to use a baseball analogy to describe our company's business philosophy. We focus on the fundamentals and hit a lot of singles, doubles, and triples. We may miss a home run opportunity now and then, but we don't strike out very often.

Management method or style:
No management method or style works 100 percent of the time in every situation. But I always try to keep the Golden Rule top of mind. I find it short, simple, and powerful. "Treat others as you want to be treated." Applying the Golden Rule in business makes a lot of sense to me. Treat your customers right and they will be more likely to come back. Treat your employees right and they will be more motivated.
 Houston "Hu" Odom, Jr., multi-unit franchisee of Golden Corral

Business philosophy:
You get what you give. Grow your team, grow your business.

Management method or style:
Work to hire the right people day one. Once a person is on board, we work to provide continuous training and education to each employee. "Train Up."
 Jeff Burroughs, multi-unit franchisee of Sport Clips

Business philosophy:
 Raul: Strive to be the best at whatever it is you do.
 Linda: Yep... "Be a Sub Above." And I'm not sure who coined the phrase, but "The dream is free, but the hustle is sold separately."

Management method or style:
 Raul: Empathy. Listen. Encourage. Support. Whenever possible, let data drive decisions.
 Linda: Lead by example. "Speed of the leader, speed of the pack."
 Raul and Lisa Ceide, multi-unit franchisees of Jersey Mike's Subs