78: Focusing on the Core Of What Drives Business, with Firehouse Subs franchisee Ed Cunningham

Stories from Franchisees & Founders

 

In this episode, Brian talks with Ed Cunningham, a Firehouse Subs franchisee in Arizona. Within 5 months of opening, Ed’s location became the #1 ranked location in the entire Firehouse Subs system. How did he do it? 

 

Before becoming a Firehouse Subs franchisee, Ed served as a firefighter. Being a public safety professional, Ed learned the importance of upholding one’s reputation at all times within the entire community. This all-encompassing approach to his business, combined with his social media savvy, are contributors to his success right off the bat. 

 

Most importantly, Ed advocates focusing on the core and backbone of your business before anything else. Ed says, “When you teach your managers and employees to serve each other as much as they serve customers, it creates an amazing dynamic, and your best form of marketing. These are free things that take energy and time, but that doesn’t come out of your bottom line.”

 

 Tune in to hear more of Ed’s story and tips he shares on how the right kind of preparation will allow your business to persevere in hard times. 

What we talk about:

• Ed’s background and what led him to the franchise world
• Knowing the time and the right opportunity to get into something
• “The things you go through are [kind of] preparing you for [really] the things that are coming if you allow them to.” - Ed Cunningham
• Marketing through social media and serving your employees
• “The best form of marketing that you have is treating your employees with the exact same customer service that you would treat anyone that comes in the door to buy your product.” - Ed Cunningham
• The value of treating your employees the best way possible
• Accidentally started a detox kit business
• Starting to think ahead and be prepared
• Reflecting on the mistakes that did not set you up for success
• Putting yourself out there
• Focusing on the core of what drives the business
• “If you focus on the core and the backbone of your business first, everything else will just be natural results of that.”

What we mention:

 

• Firehouse Subs