Gain a competitive advantage across franchise locations with managed solutions

The technologies that help power franchise growth are more tightly integrated than ever before. Contactless payments, point-of-sale (POS) systems, cybersecurity, apps and rewards programs all require connectivity and networks that work together flawlessly to maintain customer loyalty and support growth.

Three-quarters of franchise operators say technology gives them an edge.¹ Franchisors can increase profitability and scale effectively when they adopt solutions engineered to work together across a range of complex needs.

76% of franchise operators say technology gives them an edge.²
 

Are you providing the digital infrastructure franchisees need to be competitive?
 

Exceed customers’ digital expectations

The modern customer experience is guided by technology — POS systems, TV, communications, WiFi and more — that demand reliable, uninterrupted and secure internet service. Technology helps streamline engagements, increase productivity and ensure connectivity. It has also become a growing avenue for sales, allowing customers to interact with franchises, such as quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and business services, long before they step through the doors.

Digital orders make up 25%–30% of all transactions, a figure that has been increasing over the last few years.³ Customers expect reliable connectivity throughout a franchise location and a seamless online experience or application for placing their orders. This growing trend toward more flexible and independent ordering can lead to a more customized experience, increased sales and positive reactions. Among kiosk users, 59% say they have been pleasantly surprised by new or custom menu options when ordering food.⁴

With these expectations, network technology — from internet to SD-WAN and security applications — needs to be powerful enough to handle large amounts of data moving between web platforms, apps and store devices. By investing in modern franchise technology and services designed to work together and empower users, you can provide a dependable experience for customers.
 

Ensure technology can scale with your growth

The franchise business model is expanding rapidly. In 2023, franchisors nationwide added an estimated 15,000 locations.⁵ The ability to scale the networks that support franchise owners is critical to sustaining expansion while maintaining a cohesive brand experience.

The communication, connectivity and networking systems you adopt should make it easy to standardize technology across locations and deliver simple, turnkey IT for franchise owners. Franchise managed network solutions can do just that, with an all-in-one platform that scales with a growing franchise even as network demands get more complex. New services and bandwidth can be supported easily, and you can add new locations to the network quickly and seamlessly.
 

41% of retail staff members will be expected to use mobile devices as part of their jobs by 2026,⁶ increasing WiFi needs at retail locations.
 

Optimizing operations with advanced technology

Effective integration with existing systems is a critical step for franchises as new technologies are released. For example, AI is proving to be an opportunity for improving operations, with the ability to better track inventories, forecast menu trends, predict demand and provide conversational interfaces for streamlined transactions. Upgrading your connectivity for AI and other potentially bandwidth-intensive applications can help you prepare for and swiftly adapt to changing network demands.
 

Protect your brand

Reputation is everything. Being able to provide a secure, reliable experience — from transactions to internet connectivity — is key to building customer confidence and loyalty. The right partner can offer a comprehensive set of solutions to safeguard your digital assets, customer data and physical security while contributing to improved service.

• Incorporate cybersecurity technologies that help ensure Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance, reassuring customers that their card and software-based payments are submitted and saved over secure platforms. Cybersecurity solutions should also safeguard internal data and protect against disruptions, which can prove costly to your brand reputation and business performance.
• Shield corporate and franchisee networks against data breaches with unified threat management (UTM) and advanced firewall solutions.
• Extend your security policies beyond the network with solutions that give franchisees secure access to essential cloud applications. Measures like multi-factor authentication (MFA) can help establish zero trust network access (ZTNA), and cloud security solutions can provide access management, traffic monitoring and malware protection.
• Protect your applications and systems from distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks designed to overload your network and websites with malicious traffic by using a DDoS protection service. Advanced analytics powered by machine learning can identify anomalies in your fiber internet traffic and automatically help mitigate threats.
• Help ensure the physical safety of customers and employees, plus protect inventory from damage. Connected cameras help reduce theft and enhance store security, while environmental sensors can detect conditions like increased temperatures that may compromise product integrity.
• View analytics from a comprehensive dashboard and use smart cameras to identify store traffic flow trends, helping improve customer experiences and internal operations.
• Enhance online training and improve customer service with a unified communications (UC) solution that encompasses video, voice, web conferencing, chat and other features.
   

Find efficiencies in technology adoption

Reducing your capital investment and total cost of ownership (TCO) can drive profitability. Franchisors must optimize technology upgrades to counter increasing pressure on margins and to remain competitive.

Managed network solutions can shift network modernization from a capital expense to an operating expense while also allowing for rapid technology adoption and healthy profit margins. With the right upgrades to your network and a service provider that understands franchise needs, you can achieve a simpler, scalable infrastructure for existing and potential franchise owners.

When networking services are designed to work together, the result is easier management and greater peace of mind. Consolidating services with one partner can simplify administration, reveal efficiencies and offer a single point of contact for better support. Additionally, with managed services you can offload equipment installation, maintenance and updates, freeing IT personnel for more important tasks.
 

Grow efficiently with Spectrum Enterprise®

Spectrum Enterprise solutions encompass connectivity, networking, communication and collaboration, security and TV to provide you with comprehensive services that fit the needs of your franchise. You can deliver streamlined, cost-effective access to sophisticated networks for all franchisees and reduce the workload of managers and IT with all-in-one platforms.

With our managed services, your franchise owners and their employees can focus on providing an exceptional experience while our experts handle installation, maintenance and repairs. Backed by 100%, 24/7/365 U.S.-based support, our solutions scale with you, meeting your needs as they evolve. Our consultative approach and national reach are among the reasons 83% of Fortune 500 companies rely on Spectrum Enterprise for technology solutions.* Discover how our long history of serving franchisors can help empower your future.
 

Learn more

* Based on Fortune 500 companies within Spectrum Enterprise service area with at least one service.
 

Sources

1. Danny Klein, “The State of Restaurant Tech in 2024: Beyond the Table Stakes,” QSR magazine, March 27, 2024.
2. Ibid.
3. Ray Gibson, “Online Ordering: The Gateway to a Guest Engagement Platform,” QSR magazine, March 25, 2024.
4. Anna Wolfe, “Study: 92% of Diners Want to Receive Personalization from QSRs,” Hospitality Technology, August 3, 2023.F
5. Alka Sinha, Jin Qi and Kaylyn Matis, “2023 Franchising Economic Outlook,” International Franchise Association, 2023.
6. “1 in 6 Shoppers Have Used Generative AI for Purchase Inspiration – Salesforce Report,” Salesforce, August 18, 2023.