The 4 Roles of the Multi-Unit Leader
Jun 29, 2022
Franchisees who want to grow their organization from a one-unit job into a multi-unit enterprise require the help of a district manager to accomplish the business and financial results they expect.
But this multi-unit leader often gets frustrated because there’s a lack of clarity in the industry as to what is their role. So much so, that this is the first reason why these particular leaders struggle to be successful.
Why is this? The position usually gets promoted from a single unit manager into a district manager and ends up becoming super general managers, instead of true multi-unit leaders that focus on the things that actually impact and make a difference in the organization.
To prevent this confusion, we at The American Franchise Academy have identified three specific roles that these fantastic and hardworking team members have to play.
1. The protector of their people
Protecting their staff is the first thing they have to focus their time and effort on. This refers to training, coaching, developing, and promoting them, but also making sure that they are growing within the organization.
Another aspect they have to take care of is that the workers feel safe from external potential risk as well as internally among the personnel. How can they do this? Through building a positive and inspiring culture within the work environment.
They also have to validate that they have the right people on board doing a great job and that the standards, policies, and procedures are in place.
2. The protector of the brand
The district manager has to protect and grow the brand. The more than the better they protect the franchise brand, the better the reputation, the service, the customer’s experience, the product, and the image will be. Therefore, franchisees will be able to increase their revenue from sales.
Looking for ways to increase revenue? View this video to learn 3 ways you can boost your sales.
3. The protector of the business
What this means is that they have to oversee their district results, keeping in mind the business and financial results that are expected in the organization. They need to make sure they can meet those goals and metrics that have been established by the owner of the franchise.
So, they need to not only protect the business so that there is no loss or waste but also focus on being able to grow it by having great results and increasing the sales and revenue of the organization.
These are the three overall roles that these multi-unit leaders have to embrace and be responsible for, day in and day out. And they can do this through seven critical responsibilities of a district manager.
Aside from these activities and tasks, the overall role of the multi-unit leader is to be the franchisee’s ambassador. They are representing the multi-unit franchisee in front of the customers, the team members, and the brand. That’s why it is critical that they are clear and aware of how they should spend their time and effort, and concentrate on the right things.
I hope that this was of value to you. If you do have a district manager that could use additional professional structure development on their role and responsibilities, check out our world-class knowledge course, the Multi-unit Leadership Program!
Go to DistrictManagerTraining.com and register for free in our upcoming information session, where you’ll get to know the content we cover, the methodology we use, and the outcome your district managers will get at the end of this program.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see the other helpful videos on the district manager’s job. And don’t forget to give us a thumbs up on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to get more information, tips and tactics, and best practices that’ll help you and your leaders be successful in your franchise business.
Reflections:
- How much of a protector is your district manager, in terms of people, brand, and business?
- Is your district manager a true ambassador of your brand?
- Does your district manager know exactly what are the things they need to do and oversee to be successful?
- Is this leader meeting the expected goals and metrics that have been established by you?
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