A miracle of modern medical science is upon us, and it couldn’t have come at a better (or more dire) time. Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on societies the world over, and it’s done a number on our economy as well. Thankfully, franchises have remained in a better spot than many other restaurants during the pandemic, due largely in part to delivery models that allow business to continue in one form or another. 2021 is going to be a lucrative year for franchises, not to mention a great opportunity for new franchisees to consider jumping into the industry.

 

However, the Covid-19 vaccine is going to play a part in all of this. As vaccines continue to roll out and pick up speed, more and more of the population will be steeled against this virus and able to head out into the world again. As a franchisee, your eyes should be on the progress of the vaccine so that you can plan ahead for what’s to come. The future looks bright for a number of reasons.

 

While lockdowns are still in effect in many parts of Canada, it’s highly likely they end in the coming weeks due to a combination of factors. Covid-19 tends to run through particular populations and cause infections, only to die off later. This was first glimpsed in mid-2020 when deaths and hospitalizations plummeted in areas that were previously hit hard. Warm weather and UV light do play roles in the mitigation of the Covid-19 vaccine, so it’s quite possible we see the same thing play out during the spring and summer months. However, the addition of the vaccine rollout is a tag-team game changer. Expect the number of infections to drop, and stay low this time. Until the majority of the population has been vaccinated, we may see an uptick in cases during the flu season, but it should not be as prevalent as what we experienced in the last few months.

 

This means now is the perfect time to start planning your franchise’s business strategy ahead of time, so you can be ready. Keeping track of the incoming vaccination data is key to gauging when to hire more staff, schedule out any maintenance jobs, or invest in advertising and marketing. In the meantime, third party (or in-house) delivery methods are a surefire way to keep business going, but don’t even think of getting rid of this service even when the numbers die down. At-home delivery and “curb-side pickup” are going to be viable business options even when people’s fear of Covid-19 dwindles away, since the public has had enough time to get used to the process and see it as a method of convenience, rather than an alternative.

 

For new investors looking to get into the franchise game, now’s the time to reach out and work out a deal. All the elements are in play to give franchises a major advantage in the coming year, be it startup costs, available real estate, etc. Once the danger of Covid-19 is behind us, the public will burst from their homes and flock to their favorite franchises in a desperate bid to get some fun back into their lives. Your franchise location plays a huge role in that fun, and if done right, it can serve as a beacon of positivity and optimism after a nightmarish year.

If you’re interested in getting into the franchise industry, we invite you to contact St. Louis Wings today. We’d love to hear your proposal, and work together to open your very own franchise location!