Veteran Franchise Consultant Launches Support Programs For Franchisees, Franchisors & Suppliers

John P. Hayes, Ph.D., counsel to many of the leading names in Franchising over the past 30 years, has introduced a series of programs that will help franchisees, franchisors and suppliers prosper in the current economy.

Dr. Hayes has created peer-to-peer, franchise-specific mastermind groups that help members improve the operations and profitability of their businesses. Details about the program are available at FranchiseMastermind.com.

“Now, more than ever, the Franchise community needs to re-invent itself and there’s no more effective way to do that than by working with people who are already experts in franchising,” said Dr. Hayes. “Franchisors know how to help other franchisors, and the same is true for franchisees and suppliers. Now is the time to turn to our peers for advice. They’ve been there, they’ve done it, they’ve learned the lessons, and they are willing to share their knowledge and expertise with other like-minded people.” 

Dr. Hayes, who speaks around the world on the topic of franchising and has authored numerous books on the subject, created mastermind groups while he was the CEO of HomeVestors, the We Buy Ugly Houses® franchise company. “We started with one group and eventually created four more because they were so popular and effective with the  franchisees,” he said.

"Masterminds gave franchisees the opportunity to learn from each other, to learn about solutions that were actually tested and tried, and to take advice from their peers rather than just from their franchisor. Without doubt, the mastermind program was the most effective training and support that we provided to our more experienced franchisees. It also generated tremendous goodwill between franchisor and franchisees. After I left HomeVestors, I knew that I would form a mastermind program for franchisees as well as franchisors and suppliers.”

Masterminds meet quarterly, usually at a host member’s office. Prior to the meeting, the host is guided through a series of questions and exercises that provide content for discussion during the mastermind meeting. The meetings focus on issues raised by the host. The participants evaluate the issues, analyze possible outcomes, and share their advice with the host.

“This is a way for a business owner to gain the wisdom and guidance of a peer advisory board,” said Dr. Hayes. “It’s the most effective form of training for any business owner.”

Each mastermind meeting also includes an opportunity for all participants to share issues of concern as they relate to their own businesses and to get feedback from the participating members.

Members are non-competing and all meetings are confidential. Each member gets an opportunity to host a mastermind. Dr. Hayes works with each host to prepare for the mastermind and then follows up to help the host implement the action plan that results from the advisory board’s feedback.

Masterminds may also be created for specific brands. Dr. Hayes said, “I am working with franchisors who are interested in sponsoring a mastermind for their franchisees exclusively. I think it’s the best way for a franchisor to accelerate the education of their franchise network, to help franchisees support franchisees, and to improve relationships between the franchisor and the franchisee. It’s the best money a franchisor can spend in terms of training and support today.”