November is a natural time to recognize the people who help a business through its busiest stretches. In franchising, many of those people are other owners. A new franchisee often runs into questions that formal training can't fully answer, such as how another owner schedules installation crews or handles a slow month.
Owners running the same system in different markets can be a practical resource for exactly those questions. “The networking we did early on, and continue to do, has been the most important piece to this business and our path in it,” says Cole McKamy, who owns Re-Bath of Albuquerque. “Whatever you need, we're here to help — because your success is everybody's success.”
Why Peer Experience Matters in a Franchise System
Every franchisee works within the same brand framework, but no two territories are identical. Local competition, hiring conditions, seasonality, and team size all vary. Because of that, another owner has often faced a situation similar to yours, though rarely an identical one.
That is the value of a peer network. It doesn't replace a business plan or your own judgment, but it can shorten the time spent working through a problem someone else has already encountered.
As part of our training and support, franchisees have access to more than 140 owners to learn from. We have also written about how franchise networking works within our system.
How Our Franchisees Share What They Know
Sean Senno, a 12-year franchisee, has described calling other owners when he needs help and noted how willing they are to share what they know. He has also pointed to training for installers, sales teams, and marketing teams as part of the support he has used. You can read more owner perspectives on our testimonials page.
Owner-to-owner conversations tend to center on the practical side of running a remodeling business. “Lean on the network, lean on the people that have been there,” says Andrew Miller, co-owner of seven Re-Bath locations across Texas and southern Louisiana. “It's a paying-it-forward situation — we know those people are going to do the same for whoever comes behind them.”
Depending on the owner and the market, they can cover topics like these:
- Sales and consultations. Owners can compare how they prepare for in-home consultations and follow up with leads.
- Installation crews. Hiring, training, and scheduling installers is a common subject, especially for owners growing their teams.
- Local marketing. Peers can share how they have used the marketing resources and templates available to franchisees in their own territories.
- Performance benchmarks. Another owner can offer context for how a territory's lead and sales numbers compare with those of similar markets.
Support That Works Alongside the Peer Network
Peer relationships are one layer of support. Franchisees also receive onboarding at our corporate headquarters, access to business coaches, and operations manuals and sales materials. Our corporate-owned stores serve as training locations and as test sites for new programs before they are introduced more widely.
We also welcome input from franchisees. As noted in our description of how the franchise works, a good idea is worth considering no matter which department or which franchisee it came from. You can meet the corporate team behind these programs.
How to Evaluate a Franchise Network Before You Invest
A franchisor's description of its own community is only one data point. The most reliable way to understand what a network is like is to speak with the owners in it.
The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is the right starting point. Under the FTC's franchise rule, franchisors must provide an FDD before a sale, and it includes contact information for current franchisees. Calling several of them, and not only the ones a franchisor suggests, will give you a fuller picture.
Consider asking current owners questions like these:
- Onboarding. How did the initial training compare with what you faced in your first few months?
- Access to help. How quickly do you get answers when you reach out to the franchisor or to other owners?
- Setup. What took more time or money than you expected when building your showroom and team?
- Time commitment. How much of your week goes to sales, marketing, and managing people?
- Hindsight. What would you do differently if you were starting again?
Responses will differ from owner to owner, and that variation is useful information in itself. Compare what you hear against the FDD and against your own financial and operational plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Re-Bath franchisees have access to other owners?
Yes. Franchisees have access to more than 70 owners who can share experience and perspective. How often owners use that network is up to them.
Can I speak with current franchisees before investing?
The FDD includes contact information for current franchisees, and you can also ask our franchise team about connecting with owners during the evaluation process.
Does a peer network replace formal training?
No. Peer conversations supplement our onboarding, coaching, and ongoing education. They are not a substitute for them.
Take a Closer Look at Our Franchise Community
If you are weighing a bathroom remodeling franchise, the owners already in the system are among the best sources of information. Review our steps to ownership to see how the evaluation process works, and read the FDD carefully alongside your own research.
When you are ready to talk, call (866) 219-1361 or contact us online.