Stories from the Covid-19 Front Lines: What Are Your Franchisees Doing for Their Customers?

As part of our ongoing special coverage of Covid-19 and its impact on franchising, we’re asking franchise leaders how they’re responding to the effects of Covid-19 at all levels of their business. Here, 5 franchise brand leaders share how their franchisees are assisting their customers during the pandemic. If you have a story to tell about what you’re doing to support your brand, franchisees, customers, or suppliers please email us at stories@franchising.com.

Pat Swisher, Founder and CEO, Enviro-Master Services

Our franchisees are on the front lines of fighting this virus. We are an essential service provider and playing a key role in keeping truck drivers, doctors, nurses, police, firefighters, and other first responders healthy. Our services are now being used by the largest freight companies in the country, many local law enforcement agencies and first responder groups, grocery stores and pharmacies, as well as airports, both regional and international. There are too many stories to tell about our franchisees across the country answering the call to clients who must remain open during the pandemic so that we can all receive our food, water, and healthcare. Our franchisees are literally helping to save lives every day and stop the spread of the virus.

Aaron Marshall, Co-Founder and CEO, Keyrenter Property Management

The current situation has been difficult for many people. Our franchisees are reaching out to all their clients and tenants to check in and let them know we are here to help. Communication is very important right now. We want to make sure they have the right information, and that if tenants need help, we can give them options. If tenants are having problems paying their rent, we’re working with them to create a plan. That includes reaching out to family, community resources, and other emergency financial options. We’re not charging late fees. We’re also setting up deferral payment agreements to give tenants some financial breathing room to help them through this crisis. In April, we saw a slight increase in the number of late rent payments. We expect that number to increase when rent comes due on May 1, as more people are going longer without a paycheck. Hopefully, the federal stimulus checks and unemployment benefits will give people some much-needed relief. For Keyrenter, communication remains our best tool to work with tenants and property owners to make it through this crisis.

James Williams, CEO, Mayweather Boxing + Fitness

Much as our brand page has been engaging our members with virtual workouts and interactive social media competitions, our franchisees have been doing the same with their localized online platforms. Each studio has the option of hosting its own livestream to provide workouts for members, led by the familiar faces of their instructors – who have been actively reaching out and engaging with members over the phone to keep the connection with the brand high and to keep them educated on our different online offerings. Selfie challenges, push-up challenges, and other virtual contests allow members to not only stay physically active, but also connected with their Mayweather social system. Floyd has even been joining in with our challenges, and members and franchisees have been excited to see him participating in things alongside them, like the Push-Up challenge.

Jason Kapica, President, Dryer Vent Wizard (a Neighborly Company)

Some franchise owners are waiving the safety inspection fee and forgoing the usual 10-point inspection in home interiors. All are wearing protective equipment. No one is shaking hands, and we are limiting handling paper materials directly; tablets are sanitized and cleaned before and after every use. We follow social distancing guidelines set by the CDC. Some franchise owners are offering pay-by-phone or paying online to limit contact and face-to-face interaction.

Michael Mohammed, CEO, Chronic Tacos

The most important thing at the moment is following all social distancing protocols to ensure the safety of our customers. We have amplified all sanitation protocols to ensure this. We have also worked with our franchisees to develop limited-contact pickup protocols for all online and third-party ordering. We are very proud of the way many of our franchisees have stepped up in their community to provide meals to first responders and medical workers as well as to service workers who have lost their jobs as a result of this pandemic. As a brand we are committed to giving to those in need, even as we face difficult times ourselves. We know that we are all in this together.