Expert Advice

Despite occasional frustrations and hiccups, it is clear that a majority of franchisees have faith in their franchisors’ technology vision. Seventy-two percent indicated that franchisor mandates help lead them down the right path regarding technology adoption.

Do technology mandates/recommendations from your franchisor help your technology adoption process?

Future Expenditures

Nearly 44 percent of franchisees are planning to increase their technology spend year-over-year in 2008. Another 38 percent indicated they will maintain their current spends. Only 18 percent indicated they will spend less in 2008 than in 2007.

Estimate your 2008 technology spending relative to 2007 (on a per-store basis)

Methodology

Beginning in July 2007 and lasting approximately one month, Frantz Group and QSR magazine conducted an online survey targeting franchisees in the foodservice industry—primarily quick-serve and fast-casual brands. The project had several objectives: to understand franchisee technology needs; measure franchisee satisfaction with technology; gain insights into how franchisees adopt new technology; measure the value and importance franchisees place on technology; and understand the relationship between franchisees and their franchisors regarding new technology.

The information was gathered July 23–August 29, 2007 via an online survey form. Participants were recruited via print and banner advertisements, as well as direct mail and e-mail to known franchisees. As part of the survey, participants were screened to be franchisees with a meaningful role in the selection, evaluation, specification, or approval of technology used to run their restaurant. Phone calls to participants who completed the survey to validate their responses were also made.

Pertinent statistics regarding participation include: 879 visits to the survey Web site; 453 completed surveys (which included 94 partial completes); and 306 completed surveys that qualified.

Participants were offered two incentives—a copy of the final report and a chance to win an Apple iPhone.