1851Franchise: Performance Groups Help Franchisees Reach Their Goals

Right at Home’s performance groups provide franchise owners with ongoing peer collaboration and expert coaching to help them achieve stronger results throughout every stage of their business.

For some, franchise ownership can be an isolating experience. At Right at Home, however, performance groups give owners a built-in network of peers and coaches who work alongside them to drive growth, share solutions, and hold each other accountable.

Right at Home’s performance groups are small, collaborative networks of franchise owners who meet regularly to challenge and support each other in growing their businesses. Each group typically has seven to twelve members from across the country, though some are state-specific.

Business Performance Coach Jaime Esquivel describes them as “comprised of seven to 12 franchises that have decided they want to come together and act as a board of directors for each other.” These groups comprise owners at various stages of their business journey, united by a shared goal of moving beyond day-to-day operations to achieve greater growth and community impact.

Members review key metrics, share best practices, and address challenges through structured quarterly meetings — two in-person and two virtual each year. “As their performance coach, I meet with them one-on-one between group sessions to go through commitments and make sure they’re staying accountable to what they were putting out there,” Esquivel said.

How Performance Groups Operate

Right at Home performance groups follow a consistent quarterly rhythm. Twice a year, members meet virtually, and twice a year they gather in person for deeper collaboration.

Virtual meetings focus on reviewing business performance metrics such as revenue, gross margin, and administrative costs. Members also revisit the goals they set for the previous quarter, discuss whether they were met, and set new 90-day commitments. 

“In the virtual meetings, we take a look at revenue, gross margin, administrative cost… we review what the commitments were for the previous quarter, and whether they were completed or incomplete, which drives good conversation,” Esquivel said.

In-person sessions are typically two full days, starting in the morning and running into the afternoon. These gatherings include a more thorough business review, annual and three-year planning, and discussions around “burning issues” — the biggest challenges owners are facing at the moment. Members also share “bright ideas,” showcasing successful marketing campaigns, operational strategies, or incentive programs. 

Subject-matter experts are often brought in to present on topics like revenue cycle management, dementia care programs, or marketing trends, giving franchisees actionable insights they can take back to their businesses.

Throughout the year, performance group coaches — who also act as performance facilitators — meet with owners one-on-one to track progress, offer advice, and hold them accountable for the goals they’ve committed to.

The Coach’s Role Beyond Facilitation

Right at Home’s performance group coaches are more than meeting moderators. They are active partners in each owner’s success. 

Victoria Johnston, a franchisee in Snohomish County, Washington, appreciates that her coach is “not just a cheerleader” but someone willing to challenge her thinking and connect her with the right resources. “He’s also really good at getting back to us quickly,” she said, “and I think that’s the kind of coach we need.”

Spokane, Washington-based franchisee Nick Paul describes his coach as a trusted advisor who’s always available for support. “I have him on speed dial,” he said, “and I call him for any questions, any advice, any issues that I may have.” One of the biggest impacts came when the coach guided him step-by-step through creating a strategic business plan. What once felt overwhelming became manageable with a clear process, and the plan is now a roadmap for his business growth.

The Benefits of Joining

Performance groups offer both measurable business results and personal connection. Esquivel notes that members “outpace normal franchises by a decent margin,” citing examples of 16% to 18% year-over-year growth in two of the groups he coaches. 

Owners also gain insight from peers across the country, which is especially valuable for those in more isolated territories. 

For Johnston, the accountability is “priceless.” She recalls asking another franchisee to review her financials during a breakout session. “He found a really big expense that we had been paying for for quite a long time,” she said. “I just thought that was the norm.” That insight led her to switch vendors, resulting in significant cost savings.

Paul says the experience reshaped his approach to growth. “I’m always cost-saving, but being in that group kind of teaches you that you do have to take risks and sometimes you do have to invest money to see that return,” he said. “So, it definitely helped me with my way of thinking and my growth in how I treat my employees and clients.”

Why Franchisees Should Join

The decision to join often comes down to timing and mindset. “The best time was yesterday and the next best time is right now,” Esquivel said. “If you find the right one, you’re going to see what the benefits really are.”

For newer owners, Johnston suggests waiting until at least the one-year mark unless they have prior business ownership experience, but she stresses the long-term value of mentorship and candid feedback.

Paul says he “absolutely” recommends it, pointing to both the professional growth and the camaraderie. “It’s almost like a family because they want to see you be successful too,” he said.

Whether it’s learning new strategies, holding each other accountable, or simply having a trusted group to turn to, performance groups provide Right at Home owners with a support system that lasts throughout the lifecycle of their business.

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