We sat down with some of our key leaders to gain insight into what drives their passion for supporting our franchisees, the advice they most often share, and what makes their roles uniquely fulfilling. Here's what we learned...
What do you enjoy most about building relationships with franchise partners?
Dan Hawkins, Co-Founder and President: I love working with passionate franchise partners, especially when we collaborate to strengthen the brand and grow everyone's equity. Helping others achieve their dream of business ownership is incredibly rewarding, and I take pride in sharing insights they might not uncover on their own. I often tell franchisees, "We wish we had us when we started," because partnering with The Human Bean helps avoid costly, time-consuming learning curves. I also enjoy meeting new people to see if they align with our mission of giving back to the community and appreciate that every franchisee has equal access to our team and the same opportunity to succeed through hard work and dedication.
What’s one piece of advice you give franchise partners that resonates the most?
Leslee Swanson, Sr. Director of Franchise Support: Have patience and follow our processes. The Human Bean is led by co-founders who have built stores from the ground up, starting back in 1998. Today they continue to own and operate stores of their own and they work in the business each and every day. Our Support Center has an amazing team of skilled and passionate people who are dedicated to giving their all (with a Bean on Top!) to support the success of our franchise partners. My advice is to have patience in the processes, follow our systems, read our emails, attend our webinars, and call us day or night. Don’t spend your energy trying to reinvent the wheel or try to figure it out yourself. You don’t have to! We have done it again and again, continue to improve as we grow, and we are here to support our franchise partners to make opening and operating as easy and successful as possible.
What’s something unique about our culture that makes your role special?
Scott Anderson, Chief Operating Officer: Something unique about our culture that makes my role special is our commitment to fostering a family-like atmosphere while pursuing innovation. We pride ourselves on nurturing connections that enhance both individual and community well-being, starting with our tight-knit team. This culture must extend to our guests.
If you had to describe your job in three words, what would they be?
Tom Casey, Co-Founder and Vice President: Listen, Think, and Be Humble