Franchise Owners and Employees From all Walks of Life Find Success in Buddy’s Diverse Community
For Buddy’s Home Furnishings, a rent-to-own furniture franchisor, the commitment to diversity involves two important steps. The first step is recruiting a diverse group of franchisees, and the equally important second step is ensuring that the company’s policies provide a path toward success for all its franchise owners.
“Buddy’s implements policies and practices that promote equity and inclusion throughout the entire organization,” says Teresa Hill, vice president of operational support at Buddy’s. “This support includes providing equal opportunities, addressing unconscious biases, and creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute and succeed.”
The company has had a long time to hone its system of success, since it opened more than 60 years ago. Specializing in name-brand furniture, appliances and electronics, including computers, smartphones and gaming systems, Buddy’s has become a significant player in the growing rent-to-own industry. With more than 300 franchise and corporate locations, it is now the third-largest rent-to-own company in the United States.
Diverse Franchisees
Franchise owners who become part of Buddy’s franchise community come from a wide range of backgrounds and demographics in terms of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation, Hill says. Some franchisees have entrepreneurial backgrounds, and some are transitioning from other careers, including positions in medicine and accounting. Others have previous experience in the rent-to-own industry or have military backgrounds. As one example of Buddy’s commitment to inclusiveness, Hill notes that the company is a member of VetFran, an initiative created by the International Franchise Association dedicated to connecting military veterans with franchise opportunities.
Once new franchisees are on board, they can take advantage of multiple resources that Buddy’s provides. “As a franchisor, we prioritize comprehensive support and training programs to help franchisees establish and grow their businesses,” says Hill, who oversees training in her role with the company. For example, Buddy’s has real estate experts who give advice on selecting sites and negotiating leases, and it has franchise consultants who provide detailed guidance both before and after store openings.
Ongoing support includes weekly team meetings, monthly webinars and annual conventions to help franchise owners stay up-to-date on the information they need to know. Hill explains that open communication is part of the company’s culture. “Our franchisees appreciate a collaborative and transparent relationship,” she says.
When a new Buddy’s location is up and running, the company ensures that the owner continues to get the necessary support. A dedicated marketing team is available to assist with advertising and promotions. And the company’s team of IT professionals works to maximize the efficiency of in-store and online technology systems and to troubleshoot any potential technical issues. In addition, Buddy’s has its own proprietary point-of-sales system that isuser-friendly and simplifies store processes.
Cultivating collaboration between franchisees is crucial.
Team Approach
Another important avenue of support comes from other franchise owners. “Cultivating collaboration between franchisees is crucial for the success and cohesion of our franchise system,” Hill says. So to help forge a sense of community among franchise owners, Buddy’s utilizes various means of creating connections— communications platforms, collaborative training programs, annual franchisee meetings, shared resources, and various technology platforms, she explains.
While Buddy’s diverse franchisees have different backgrounds and experiences, they share a belief in Buddy’s brand and standards, Hill says, along with a passion for providing outstanding customer service. They also share a commitment to the company’s mission, which Hill defines as gaining market dominance; respecting customers, employees, and communities; operating profitable stores; winning with a positive attitude; training and developing the best employees and giving back to their communities.
For more information about the Buddy’s Home Furnishings franchise, visit https://buddysfranchising.com/.
