Your Best Self: Building success by building his team

Your Best Self: Building success by building his team

By: kerry | 4,879 Reads | 26 Shares
Featured in: Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine: Issue 1, 2022

Your Best Self: Building success by building his team

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Jason+Day%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETitle%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Managing+owner%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+NV+Ventures%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ENo.+of+units%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+12+open%2C+4+under+construction%2C+signed+for+8+more%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAge%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+38%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFamily%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Wife+and+two+sons%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EYears+in+franchising%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+16%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EYears+in+current+position%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+1%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EJason+Day+believes+people+should+be+comfortable+with+who+they+are+and+strive+to+become+the+best+version+of+themselves+they+can.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%26ldquo%3BIt+seems+simple%2C+but+the+moment+you+stop+trying+to+fit+yourself+within+a+mold+and+allow+yourself+to+be+the+best+version+of+you+is+when+you+can+truly+succeed+and+focus+on+the+goals+ahead%2C%26rdquo%3B+says+the+Penn+Station+East+Coast+Subs+multi-unit+franchisee.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EThe+38-year-old+started+his+career+with+Penn+Station+in+2005+as+an+assistant+manager.+Two+years+later%2C+at+24%2C+he+stepped+up+into+the+role+of+multi-unit+manager.+Day+says+that+challenge+created+a+lasting+love+for+both+Penn+Station+and+the+restaurant+industry.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EAfter+that%2C+he+spent+time+as+an+area+supervisor+for+Arby%26rsquo%3Bs+and+as+an+area+director+for+Salsarita%26rsquo%3Bs+Fresh+Mexican+Grill+before+rejoining+Penn+Station.+In+2020%2C+he+became+managing+owner+of+NV+Ventures%2C+which+operates+12+Penn+Station+restaurants+in+the+Greater+Nashville+area.+The+company+has+four+more+under+construction+and+a+development+agreement+for+another+eight.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3ECovid+doesn%26rsquo%3Bt+seem+to+have+slowed+him+down+any.+He+opened+four+stores+in+four+consecutive+months+to+end+2020+and+begin+2021.+And+he%26rsquo%3Bs+quick+to+give+credit+to+the+brand+for+all+its+support+in+making+that+happen.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EIf+you+ask+Day+about+his+passion+as+a+business+owner%2C+he%26rsquo%3Bd+say%2C+%26ldquo%3BPeople%21%26rdquo%3B+He+wants+to+help+his+team+members+grow+and+achieve+success.+%26ldquo%3BWe+focus+on+developing+our+team+and+helping+them+become+the+best+version+of+themselves.+The+results+of+quality+product+and+customer+service+will+take+care+of+themselves.%26rdquo%3B+After+all%2C+he+says%2C+%26ldquo%3BWhat+business+wouldn%26rsquo%3Bt+want+100%25+of+their+employees+trying+to+be+the+best+version+of+themselves+taking+care+of+their+customers%3F%26rdquo%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EWhat%26rsquo%3Bs+next+for+Day+and+NV+Ventures+is+adding+another+four+to+five+new+locations+this+year.+%26ldquo%3BCreating+brand+awareness+in+the+area+will+not+only+help+our+stores%2C+it+will+bring+more+national+recognition+to+an+amazing+concept%2C%26rdquo%3B+he+says.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Ch2%3EPERSONAL%3C%2Fh2%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFirst+job%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Walmart+cart+pusher.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFormative+influences%2Fevents%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Time+spent+as+an+area+supervisor+at+Arby%26rsquo%3Bs+taught+me%2C+a+young+multi-unit+manager%2C+how+to+be+successful+in+the+role.+When+I+returned+to+Penn+Station%2C+I+was+able+to+take+what+I+learned+there+to+excel+in+my+career.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EKey+accomplishments%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Seeing+the+people+I+have+worked+with+succeed.+There+is+no+bigger+accomplishment+in+my+life+than+seeing+the+successes+of+those+individuals.+These+successes+have+come+with+Penn+Station%2C+and+some+have+come+from+individuals+seeking+out+their+own+dreams+outside+of+Penn+Station.+Having+someone+say+they+are+thankful+that+I+was+a+part+of+their+journey+has+had+as+much+impact+on+me+as+any+accomplishment+can+ever+have.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiggest+current+challenge%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Adjusting+to+the+next+challenge+is+what+becomes+the+biggest+challenge+in+today%26rsquo%3Bs+environment.+Over+the+past+2+years%2C+something+is+constantly+being+thrown+in+our+direction+to+adjust+to%26mdash%3Band+as+soon+as+you+adjust%2C+here+comes+the+next.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ENext+big+goal%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Become+the+largest+Penn+Station+franchisee.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFirst+turning+point+in+your+career%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Given+the+opportunity+to+be+a+multi-unit+manager+with+Penn+Station+at+the+age+of+24.+It+challenged+me+and+allowed+me+to+fall+in+love+not+only+with+the+Penn+Station+brand%2C+but+with+the+restaurant+industry+as+a+whole.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest+business+decision%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Moving+to+the+Nashville+area.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHardest+lesson+learned%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Not+everyone+will+be+me.+Early+in+my+career+I+tried+to+hold+people+accountable+to+doing+things+as+if+they+were+me.+I+learned+quickly+that+was+a+poor+way+to+lead.+I+adapted+to+change+and+now+understand+that+both+myself+and+the+team+are+better+served+by+helping+them+become+the+best+versions+of+themselves.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWork+week%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Early+to+bed+and+early+to+rise.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EExercise%2Fworkout%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+I+try+to+get+in+a+workout+at+home+two+to+three+times+a+week+in+the+mornings.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest+advice+you+ever+got%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+%26ldquo%3BBe+you.%26rdquo%3B+When+you+become+comfortable+with+who+you+are%2C+your+strengths+as+well+as+your+weaknesses%2C+then+you+can+truly+work+on+improvement.+People+comfortable+with+who+they+are+can+help+others+become+better+versions+of+themselves.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat%26rsquo%3Bs+your+passion+in+business%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+People%21+Helping+those+on+my+team+be+the+best+versions+of+themselves.+You+build+your+brand+and+business+through+people.+If+I+wake+up+every+day+knowing+our+team%26rsquo%3Bs+goal+is+to+help+improve+the+person+next+to+them%2C+it+will+ultimately+improve+our+business.+Improve+your+people+and+improve+your+business.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+do+you+balance+life+and+work%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+I+look+at+my+career+as+part+of+who+I+am%2C+just+as+I+am+a+husband%2C+a+father%2C+and+a+friend.+I+prioritize+my+time+to+make+sure+I+fill+the+needs+of+all+those+roles.+I+love+what+I+do%2C+so+I+never+feel+like+I+work+a+certain+number+of+hours+or+times+during+a+week.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGuilty+pleasure%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Sweets.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFavorite+book%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+%3Cem%3EIt%26rsquo%3Bs+Not+About+the+Coffee%3A+Leadership+Principles+from+a+Life+at+Starbucks+%3C%2Fem%3Eby+Howard+Behar.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFavorite+movie%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Any+movie+based+on+real-life+events.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat+do+most+people+not+know+about+you%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+My+taste+in+music+is+all+over+the+place.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPet+peeve%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Repeating+myself.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat+did+you+want+to+be+when+you+grew+up%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Science+teacher.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ELast+vacation%3A+%3C%2Fstrong%3EGulf+Shores%2C+Alabama.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPerson+I%26rsquo%3Bd+most+like+to+have+lunch+with%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Gary+Vaynerchuk.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cimg+style%3D%22float%3A+right%3B%22+src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fimg.franchising.com%2Fart%2Farticles%2F6570_1.jpg%22+alt%3D%22%22+width%3D%2235%25%22+hspace%3D%2210%22+%2F%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Ch2%3EMANAGEMENT%3C%2Fh2%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBusiness+philosophy%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+People+First.+The+most+important+person+in+the+building+is+the+team.+Without+a+team+there+are+no+customers+and+there+is+no+business.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EManagement+method+or+style%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Servant+leadership+is+how+I+describe+my+management+style.+My+goal+is+to+lead+my+team+by+setting+the+example+and+giving+them+the+tools+to+be+successful.+We+are+in+this+together%2C+and+my+role+with+our+company+is+to+not+get+in+their+way+of+being+successful+and+to+give+them+the+tools+to+meet+and+exceed+their+goals.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGreatest+challenge%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Since+the+start+of+2020%2C+this+has+been+a+moving+target+for+most+in+this+country.+The+greatest+challenge+I+feel+now+is+staying+proactive+to+what+may+happen+next.+I+try+to+stay+one+step+ahead+of+the+trends+or+what+may+be+coming+our+way.+Since+the+start+of+the+pandemic%2C+the+industry+has+been+forced+to+be+reactive+or+to+wait+and+see+what+may+change+next.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+do+others+describe+you%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Confident+would+be+the+number-one+word+I+would+expect+most+to+say+when+describing+me.+No+matter+the+situation%2C+most+would+feel+I+have+the+answer+or+suggestion+to+help+them+or+the+situation.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOne+thing+I%26rsquo%3Bm+looking+to+do+better%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Continue+to+help+develop+my+operations+directors%2C+allowing+them+to+become+great+multi-unit+leaders+within+our+organization.+Working+through+them+will+help+us+grow+a+great+team+culture.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+I+give+my+team+room+to+innovate+and+experiment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+I+let+my+team+be+themselves.+As+a+franchise+system%2C+we+have+certain+rules+or+procedures+we+must+follow+to+be+operationally+compliant+with+the+franchisor%2C+leaving+us+to+allow+our+team+to+be+themselves+within+those+confines.+I+let+the+team+explain+the+%26ldquo%3Bwhy%26rdquo%3B+to+their+innovations+or+thoughts.+Not+every+idea+will+get+implemented%2C+but+there+should+be+a+place+everyone+feels+their+idea+will+at+least+be+heard.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+close+are+you+to+operations%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+As+someone+who+started+from+a+cart+pusher+at+Walmart+to+the+role+I+am+in+now%2C+being+hands-on+will+never+stop.+I+will+always+have+a+presence+within+our+stores+to+allow+our+team+to+feel+comfortable+in+approaching+me+with+ideas+or+concerns.+Being+present+within+the+operation+is+very+important+to+me.+It+allows+me+to+give+my+opinions+when+talking+through+situations+with+our+operations+directors%2C+general+managers%2C+or+corporate+representatives.+As+someone+who+has+held+every+role+within+our+company%2C+I+am+always+willing+to+help+or+point+our+team+in+the+right+direction+to+help+them+succeed.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat+are+the+two+most+important+things+you+rely+on+from+your+franchisor%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+As+the+fastest-growing+Penn+Station+franchisee%2C+I+found+the+support+from+our+franchisor+to+have+been+very+helpful.+Without+their+help%2C+opening+four+stores+in+four+consecutive+months+to+end+2020+and+start+2021+would+not+have+been+possible.+The+franchisor+also+does+a+great+job+negotiating+product+pricing+for+the+franchisees+to+help+keep+our+product+cost+reasonable%2C+even+in+current+times.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat+I+need+from+vendors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Communication%2C+especially+today+when+we+all+have+challenges.+Communicate+your+challenges+so+I%26rsquo%3Bm+not+holding+you+to+a+standard+you+can%26rsquo%3Bt+meet.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHave+you+changed+your+marketing+strategy+in+response+to+the+economy%3F+How%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Our+marketing+strategy+hasn%26rsquo%3Bt+changed+much+for+what+we+traditionally+try+to+do.+Knowing+that+our+products+exceed+other%2C+comparable+products%2C+our+goal+is+to+get+people+to+try+ours.+We+have+continued+to+do+this+through+local+schools%2C+digital+media%2C+and+print.+I+feel+confident+that+if+we+can+get+you+to+try+one+of+our+sandwiches+you+will+find+yourself+hooked.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+is+social+media+affecting+your+business%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Social+media+has+made+the+world+a+much+smaller+place+and+allowed+us+to+communicate+more+easily.+When+trying+to+grow+a+brand+in+a+newer+or+unaware+market%2C+it+allows+our+brand+to+become+much+more+present+in+everyone%26rsquo%3Bs+daily+life.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+do+you+hire+and+fire%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Today%26rsquo%3Bs+labor+market+is+tough%2C+and+the+old+saying+%26ldquo%3BHire+slow%2C+fire+fast%26rdquo%3B+isn%26rsquo%3Bt+quite+as+correct+as+it+used+to+be.+Several+years+ago%2C+I+would+preach+two+interviews+and+have+a+set+orientation+date+for+our+team+on+new+employee+start+dates.+In+today%26rsquo%3Bs+environment%2C+hire+slow+is+out+the+window+as+companies+are+spending+more+money+to+recruit+employees+than+customers.+To+find+employees+today%2C+it%26rsquo%3Bs+a+game+of+who+gets+to+them+first.+If+you+aren%26rsquo%3Bt+hiring+at+the+interview%2C+then+someone+else+is%2C+and+they+won%26rsquo%3Bt+be+back.+When+a+general+manager+says+a+job+candidate+%26ldquo%3Bghosted%26rdquo%3B+them+on+the+interview%2C+I+remind+them%2C+%26ldquo%3BNope%2C+someone+just+beat+you+to+the+job+offer.%26rdquo%3B+It%26rsquo%3Bs+still+key+to+be+selective+and+not+add+someone+to+your+team+who+will+create+problems.+This+leads+to+the+second+part+of+that+phrase.+%26ldquo%3BFire+fast%26rdquo%3B+is+still+as+true+as+ever.+A+good+team+will+continue+to+work+hard+if+they+feel+they+are+appreciated+and+rewarded+for+it.+But+if+you+allow+someone+who+isn%26rsquo%3Bt+pulling+their+weight+to+stay%2C+it+will+cost+morale%2C+productivity%2C+and+employees.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+do+you+train+and+retain%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Retaining+is+about+providing+a+work+environment+that+people+can+feel+proud+of+and+feel+they+are+making+a+difference.+Today%2C+employees+want+to+be+part+of+something+bigger+than+themselves+and+feel+they+are+helping+to+accomplish+something.+We+are+growing+a+brand+in+the+Greater+Nashville+area%2C+and+every+member+of+our+team+is+helping.+They+are+all+part+of+something+bigger+than+themselves.+One+day+they+can+tell+others+they+worked+in+that+store+when+it+first+opened%2C+or+when+no+one+knew+Penn+Station.+We+educate+the+individuals+in+our+company+to+the+significance+of+what+they+are+doing+as+we+build+a+brand+in+this+region.+Another+way+we+help+accomplish+this+is+explaining+the+%26ldquo%3Bwhy%26rdquo%3B+in+our+training+process.+If+our+team+better+understands+why+we+do+what+we+do%2C+it+will+allow+them+to+buy+into+our+brand.+We+don%26rsquo%3Bt+approach+our+training+as+executing+a+task%2C+but+more+as+executing+a+culture.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+do+you+deal+with+problem+employees%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Employees+who+aren%26rsquo%3Bt+providing+the+work+environment+we+expect+for+our+team+simply+don%26rsquo%3Bt+need+to+be+a+part+of+our+team.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFastest+way+into+my+doghouse%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Making+me+repeat+something+that+has+already+been+asked.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Ch2%3ECOVID-19%3C%2Fh2%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+has+Covid-19+affected+your+business%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Covid+presented+many+challenges+throughout+the+past+2+years.+We+have+experienced+closed+dining+rooms%2C+product+shortages%2C+staffing+shortages%2C+government+mandates%2C+and+everything+that+has+come+with+that.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+have+you+responded%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Penn+Station+stayed+true+to+what+we+do.+Subtle+changes+were+made+from+a+corporate+level+to+help+franchisees+adjust+to+what+was+happening.+We+did+not+get+away+from+what+we+do.+This+allowed+me%2C+as+the+franchisee%2C+to+effectively+operate+my+business+through+the+uncertainty.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat+changes+do+you+think+will+be+permanent%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+The+use+of+third-party+services.+Penn+Station+had+not+entered+this+realm+before+Covid.+With+consumer+trends+changing%2C+I+believe+the+idea+of+third-party+services+for+our+concept+is+here+to+stay.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Ch2%3EBOTTOM+LINE%3C%2Fh2%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAnnual+revenue%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+%248+million.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E2022+goals%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Continue+people+development+in+our+current+locations.+We+plan+on+adding+four+to+five+new+locations+in+the+coming+year.+Both+of+these+goals+will+lead+to+the+main+goal+of+building+brand+awareness+in+our+region.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGrowth+meter%3A+How+do+you+measure+your+growth%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+In+our+rapid+development+plan+in+the+Middle+Tennessee+area%2C+we+are+measuring+our+growth+by+how+many+additional+locations+and+jobs+we+create.+Through+both+of+these+means+we+are+creating+brand+awareness+for+Penn+Station+that+will+lead+to+the+success+not+only+for+the+brand%2C+but+also+for+our+employees.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVision+meter%3A+Where+do+you+want+to+be+in+5+years%3F+10+years%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Our+goal+in+the+next+5+to+10+years+is+to+become+the+largest+Penn+Station+franchisee+in+the+system.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDo+you+have+brands+in+different+segments%3F+Why%2Fwhy+not%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+My+focus+is+on+the+Penn+Station+brand+and+building+it+within+the+Greater+Nashville+area.+This+brand+is+special+to+me+and+I+love+everything+about+it.+The+privilege+I+have+to+be+the+ambassador+of+the+Penn+Station+brand+to+this+area+deserves+my+complete+focus.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+is+the+economy+in+your+region+affecting+you%2C+your+employees%2C+your+customers%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+The+economy+around+the+Nashville+area+is+booming.+That+said%2C+it+is+experiencing+issues+similar+to+those+all+around+the+country+with+inflation%2C+staffing%2C+and+Covid+uncertainty.+All+these+things+have+led+to+revisiting+employee+wages%2C+pricing%2C+and+looking+for+ways+to+be+more+efficient.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAre+you+experiencing+economic+growth+in+your+market%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3F+The+Greater+Nashville+market+is+one+of+fastest-growing+markets+in+the+country.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+do+changes+in+the+economy+affect+the+way+you+do+business%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Penn+Station+does+a+great+job+of+knowing+who+they+are+and+staying+within+themselves+during+changes.+This+allows+me+as+a+franchisee+to+know+that+any+changes+are+well+thought+out+and+meant+to+improve+my+operation+as+a+franchisee.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+do+you+forecast+for+your+business%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+For+stores+already+open%2C+we+look+at+trends+from+previous+years.+With+new+stores%2C+we+look+at+the+area+and+compare+them+to+stores+with+similar+demographics+and+how+they+are+performing.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat+are+the+best+sources+for+capital+expansion%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+We+have+a+great+long-term+relationship+with+a+smaller+regional+bank+that+has+been+great+to+work+with.+We+have+used+them+for+many+years%2C+and+they+have+been+a+wonderful+partner+to+help+with+our+current+expansion+and+the+development+growth+plan+within+the+brand.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EExperience+with+private+equity%2C+local+banks%2C+national+banks%2C+other+institutions%3F+Why%2Fwhy+not%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+We+have+found+a+perfect+partner+for+our+company%3A+a+small+regional+bank+that+totally+believes+in+our+group+and+our+brand.+They+have+helped+us+along+the+way+more+as+a+partner+than+as+a+typical+banking+relationship.+We+haven%26rsquo%3Bt+had+any+experience+with+private+equity+or+much+larger+banks.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat+are+you+doing+to+take+care+of+your+employees%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Employee+retention+is+a+big+deal+in+today%26rsquo%3Bs+world%2C+especially+when+so+many+companies+are+spending+money+on+signing+bonuses+and+other+promotions+to+recruit+new+employees.+What+has+been+forgotten+is+the+people+who+already+work+for+you.+We+have+approached+this+through+flexible+scheduling+and+pay+rates+that+allow+employees+to+make+more+money+if+they+work+more+hours.+We+also+try+to+allow+our+employees+to+be+themselves+through+ordering+and+wearing+Penn+Station+merchandise+while+working%26mdash%3Band+by+providing+support+for+our+employees+to+not+feel+like+what+they+are+doing+is+just+a+job%2C+but+more+of+a+team+environment+that+has+us+all+working+to+the+same+goals.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+are+you+handling+rising+employee+costs+%28payroll%2C+minimum+wage%2C+healthcare%2C+etc.%29%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+We+are+addressing+these+through+a+pay+structure+that+rewards+those+who+want+to+work+more+with+higher+pay+rates.+Typically%2C+team+members+who+want+to+work+more+are+better+trained+and+more+experienced.+Hopefully%2C+this+pay+structure+allows+us+to+be+more+efficient+with+fewer+team+members+on+staff+for+a+given+shift+because+of+the+higher+quality+of+people+working+that+shift.+Pay+better+people+more+and+need+maybe+one+less+person+on+a+shift+to+create+the+same+level+of+production.+Also%2C+an+increase+in+web+ordering+and+third-party+ordering+has+freed+up+employees%26rsquo%3B+time+taking+orders+at+registers%2C+allowing+us+to+be+more+efficient+when+making+the+product.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat+laws+and+regulations+are+affecting+your+business+and+how+are+you+dealing+with+them%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+With+Covid%2C+many+regulations+have+been+%28or+attempted+to+be%29+put+in+place+over+the+past+2+years.+We+adjust+to+them+accordingly+to+make+sure+we+are+meeting+any+requirement+asked+of+us.+We+haven%26rsquo%3Bt+tried+to+deviate+from+what+we+do+that+has+made+our+brand+successful.+We+adjust+these+rules+to+meet+requirements+without+compromising+what+we+do+as+a+brand.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+do+you+reward%2Frecognize+top-performing+employees%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+We+do+employee+of+the+month+programs+for+our+in-store+employees+and+choose+one+overall+employee+of+the+month+and+share+that+with+the+team.+We+place+this+in+our+newsletter+that+we+send+to+all+stores+and+share+other+wins+we+have+as+a+team+as+well.+We+want+all+our+employees+to+share+in+everyone%26rsquo%3Bs+success.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat+kind+of+exit+strategy+do+you+have+in+place%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+The+exit+strategy+hasn%26rsquo%3Bt+been+a+thought+as+I+am+early+in+the+market+development+to+hopefully+bring+30+to+40+Penn+Station+locations+to+the+Greater+Nashville+area.+As+we+build+this+brand+in+the+area+we+will+see+where+it+leads+us.%3C%2Fp%3E
Published: February 19th, 2022

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Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine: Issue 1, 2022
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Multi-Unit Franchising Conference
Caesar's Forum, Las Vegas
MAR 24-27TH, 2026

Dunkin'
Dunkin' Is Now Expanding! Find out about our franchise investment opportunities.
Cash Required:
$250,000
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Mr. Rooter
Mr. Rooter, a Neighborly company, is the nation's leading residential and commercial plumbing services franchise with over 230 locations. Ranked #1...
Cash Required:
$100,000
Request Info
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