At Schnitz, our commitment to Franchise Partner success is reflected in the expertise and dedication of our support team. Alannah Heywood, a seasoned Business Development Manager (BDM), embodies this commitment, bringing a wealth of experience and a passion for helping our Franchise Partners thrive. In this blog, we delve into Alannah’s journey, her role, and the invaluable support she provides to the Schnitz network.
A Career Rooted in Hospitality and Franchising
Alannah’s journey in the hospitality industry began at the young age of 15. From working in large-scale restaurants to diving deep into the café culture, her career trajectory has been marked by a continuous pursuit of excellence. Alannah’s love for coffee led her to Degani, where she transitioned into the world of franchising. Her role evolved from a multi-site café manager to various support office positions, ultimately culminating in her becoming a BDM.
Her multifaceted experience across marketing, training, and business development has equipped her with a deep understanding of what it takes to run a successful hospitality business. Alannah’s time at Degani, particularly her involvement in training Franchise Partners and managing new store openings, provided her with the insights and skills necessary to excel at Schnitz. This experience allows her to offer tailored support, ensuring that each Franchise Partner feels confident and empowered.
Balancing Support with Accountability
One of the key aspects of Alannah’s role is balancing the need for support with ensuring compliance and accountability. She approaches this by developing close, individualised relationships with each Franchise Partner. Recognising that every partner has unique skills, goals, and communication styles, Alannah customises her approach to meet their specific needs.
Her hands-on coaching style sets her apart. Whether it’s working alongside Franchise Partners in their stores or leading by example, Alannah ensures that brand standards are upheld while providing the necessary support to drive business success. She emphasises the importance of collaboration, ensuring that Franchise Partners understand compliance expectations and have the tools to meet them.
Driving Growth Through Comprehensive Support
Alannah’s role extends beyond compliance; she is deeply involved in helping Franchise Partners achieve growth. She works closely with them to set goals, analyse results, and implement best practices in areas such as store presentation, food safety, and team management. By providing detailed reports on key performance indicators (KPIs), Alannah helps Franchise Partners identify areas for improvement and celebrates their successes.
Her commitment to training is evident in her proactive approach to onboarding team members and ensuring that they are well-versed in Schnitz training and safety standards. By identifying gaps through mystery shopper reports and QSC audits, Alannah creates action plans to bring teams up to standard, ensuring a consistent and high-quality customer experience across the network.
Building a Thriving Franchise Community
Alannah’s influence goes beyond individual stores; she plays a crucial role in fostering a collaborative and engaged franchise community. She encourages Franchise Partners to connect, share best practices, and support each other in achieving their goals. Her focus on community involvement, whether through local marketing initiatives or engagement with community groups, underscores the importance of building strong local connections to drive business success.
Alannah Heywood is one of the many industry experts at Schnitz dedicated to supporting Franchise Partners in their journey to success. Her extensive experience and personalised approach, combined with a deep commitment to mentoring and coaching, make her an invaluable resource within the network. Alongside a team of seasoned professionals, Alannah works tirelessly to help franchise partners not only build but continually grow and thrive in their businesses.