As a mobile, home-based franchise, Dryer Vent Wizard has a straightforward business model that doesn’t require a sprawling staff, complex finances or a hefty upfront investment. But our commitment to simple operations doesn’t mean we leave franchisees to fend for themselves.
We’ve crafted an ongoing training and support system that sets franchisees up for sustained success. This system combines thorough front-end training with continued marketing, sales and scheduling support. From the moment franchisees sign on, we’ve got their backs.
Here’s a rundown of Dryer Vent Wizard’s top-notch training and support system:
Initial Training
Our training is tailored to our business model and informed by the experiences of existing Dryer Vent Wizard franchisees. From the start, we treat franchisees like part of our company family. It may sound corny, but our upbeat, welcoming environment is a foundational part of our company. Seasoned Dryer Vent Wizard franchisees love to help new owners get off to a strong start, and they play an integral role in our training process, which includes:
- Five days of classroom training at our headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan. This segment covers all aspects of the business model.
- Three to five days of field training in South Carolina. Here, expert franchisees walk trainees though a “day in the life” on the job. New owners get hands-on experience managing appointments, performing maintenance and providing best-in-class customer service.
- After a new owner launches his or her franchise, corporate remains on call to help with any questions or issues that arise.
Wizard University
Our Wizard University program consists of a collection of step-by-step guides on how to perform various maintenance jobs. The franchisee carries the guide along with our flat-rate pricing book. That way, if a customer needs a service that the franchisee hasn’t done in a while, the owner is already armed with an easy-to-read tutorial.
Dryer Vent launched a Mobile Training Unit in 2014 as an addition to Wizard University. This initiative provided franchisees with another way to refresh their knowledge and gain new skills. Here’s what the Mobile Training Unit has achieved so far:
- 13,272 miles traveled by land, air and sea
- 85 franchisees and technicians trained
- 20 states visited
- 20 training stops
- 2 flat tires
- 0 traffic tickets and accidents
Ongoing Support
Once franchisees are up and running, Dryer Vent Wizard continues to help behind the scenes through marketing and scheduling support.
- Marketing
We use effective marketing methods like direct mail to reach potential customers in our franchisees’ exclusive territories. We know that owners likely aren’t marketing professionals, so we send out monthly mailers system-wide and help out with graphic design work when franchisees need it.Our brand also has a strong online and social media presence. When potential customers search Google for dryer vent repair, they’ll find our name. We maintain Facebook and Twitter profiles where we engage with our audience – we even share photos of some clients’ dryer vent drama to drive home the need of regular maintenance.
- Scheduling
Our national scheduling center takes calls and books appointments for franchisees so that they never have to worry about missing a call or losing business. Franchisees save money since they don’t have to hire a staff to handle booking.The scheduling center operates between 8:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, and from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. During off hours, calls are forwarded to an answering service where customers can speak with a live representative. Eighty percent of new calls lead to an appointment during the first conversation, and more than 90 percent of those appointments turn into paying jobs.The experienced staff at the scheduling center logs all appointment in our web-based calendar, where franchisees submit their weekly availability. They also call existing customers to schedule re-cleaning, which generates repeat business.
These services drive sales and simplify operations for franchisees, allowing them to focus on making money and growing their businesses.
