How to Lead and Succeed with Owning Multiple Locations

Owning multiple locations is often the most exciting milestone for a restaurant or retail owner, but it also comes with unique challenges. This post is as much for multiunit owners as it is for multiunit leaders. We frequently hear that the hardest location to open isn’t the first—it’s the second. While this may be surprising, it makes sense: owning multiple locations forces owners and leaders to confront the reality that they can’t be in two places at once.

The transition from managing a single location to owning multiple locations requires both a mental and operational shift. Owners must move from being hands-on operators to leaders who build and empower a team capable of running day-to-day operations without them. This shift isn’t easy, but it’s essential for long-term success. As they say, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

This post explores some of the key elements of successfully owning multiple locations. You’ll learn how to shift from unit operator to multiunit leader, build and empower your team members, leverage the power of systems and processes, maintain culture and customer experience, and use communication to ensure clarity and alignment. By addressing these areas, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the challenges of multi-unit management and achieve long-term success.

The Shift: From Operator to Leader

Owning multiple locations means rethinking your role entirely. Instead of being involved in every detail, you must evolve into a leader who sets the vision for your brand and coaches your team members to execute it. This shift involves:

• Letting go of control: Trusting your team members to make decisions and solve problems in your absence.
• Becoming a coach: Providing guidance and mentorship to your team members rather than managing every task.
• Communicating the vision: Ensuring everyone across your locations understands your mission, vision, and values so they can act in alignment.

If your business doesn’t have an articulated vision, mission and values, you can learn more about developing them in our post: How to Develop Your Vision, Values & Mission Statement.

 

Building Teams for Success

The success of owning multiple locations hinges on the strength of your team. Expanding your business often reveals gaps in your team members’ capabilities and processes. To address this:

• Recruit strategically: Hire individuals who align with your brand’s culture and values.
• Invest in training: Equip your team members with the skills and knowledge to thrive.
• Empower decision-making: Trust your team members to handle challenges independently while providing them with the tools they need to succeed.

Building the right team takes time, and it can be messy. However, the rewards of having capable, empowered team members are worth the effort.

If you need help building your leadership pipeline, take a look at our Restaurant Leadership Accelerator Program, which is a 6-, 12-, or 18-month interactive leadership development program designed exclusively for emerging restaurant groups.

The Importance of Systems and Processes

Owning multiple locations often leads to inconsistency as different people bring their own methods to the table. This is where systems and processes become critical. To maintain consistency across your locations:

• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Clearly define how every aspect of your business should be run.
• Create comprehensive training manuals: Ensure every new team member is trained consistently.
• Leverage scalable technology: Use tools to streamline operations like scheduling, inventory, and communication.

Systems and processes transform your operations from reactive to proactive, enabling your business to scale effectively. Not sure where to start? Read this post on Optimizing Your Concept for Growth, which dives deeper into this topic.

Maintaining Culture and Customer Experience

Multi-unit businesses have culture and brands—whether we tend to them or not. As you expand, you want to create the culture and brand by design rather than letting it happen by default, which is risky and can turn out poorly. To replicate and sustain your culture and experience across multiple locations:

• Define your culture: Clearly articulate what makes your business special.
• Reinforce core values: Use your vision, mission, and values to align and inspire your team members.
• Celebrate successes: Recognize and reward behaviors that reflect your brand’s identity.

By prioritizing culture and experience, you’ll create a consistent customer experience across all locations.

Leverage Communication for Clarity and Alignment

Communication is the glue that holds your multilocation business together. Without clear and consistent communication, mismanagement and confusion can take root. Effective communication includes:

• Regular check-ins: Schedule team meetings to stay connected and aligned.
• Accessible support: Ensure your team members know how to get help when needed.
• Decision-making frameworks: Provide guidelines for making tough calls when you’re not there.

In Conclusion

Owning multiple locations can be challenging and rewarding. The key to success is adapting your role, building strong teams, and implementing systems that ensure consistency and efficiency. You can thrive as a multi-unit owner by focusing on your vision,nd fostering a culture of trust and alignment empowering your team members, a.

Need Help Leading & Owning Multiple Locations?

At Consult to Grow®, we specialize in helping leaders like you succeed in owning multiple locations. Let’s work together to build a scalable, sustainable foundation for your business. Contact us today to get started! Ready to get started? 

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