How do you manage multiple stores across the city?

[rumi92]

Hello,

I own an ice-cream stand in one of the most popular mall in my city. I've hired 2 guys for this job and I mostly sit there and monitor everything. I'm making like $1500 (profit) a month for the last 8 months from that store which is kind of a pretty big deal here. Now I'm willing to expand this business and open up more branches across the city. There are few things I would like to ask.

Obviously I'll need to hire few people to manage the new branches but how do I make sure that they don't try to rip me off. How do I ensure that they're telling the truth about sales and everything and how do I prevent any possibility of fraud.

 

[swaggerVA]

well that is a good idea helping jobless people and do it same thing all you need is manpower that you can trust and check your weekly pricing and inventory reports

 

[bartosimpsonio]

Keeping tight control on inventory, keeping track of cash flow and of course, cameras!

You'll need to read up on management basics.

 

[rumi92]

well that is a good idea helping jobless people and do it same thing all you need is manpower that you can trust and check your weekly pricing and inventory reports

Yup, but these reports can easily be faked. Just wanted to hear the opinions of this community about preventing the fraud. Would love to know how big brands such as Mcdonalds do this. I think they take like 6% from every sale but how does Mcdonalds prevent the franchise owners from faking the number of their sales.

 

[rumi92]

Bump,,, Would appreciate help from someone who has worked in any well known food chain.

 

[Djonnerz]

Simplest solution would be to automate as much as possible.
If you are able to see how much you made a certain day, you can compare this to the amount that is in the register.
If that system also registers how much of a certain product you have in stock, that will minimize the chances of fraud even more.

 

[rumi92]

Simplest solution would be to automate as much as possible.
If you are able to see how much you made a certain day, you can compare this to the amount that is in the register.
If that system also registers how much of a certain product you have in stock, that will minimize the chances of fraud even more.

Hey thanks. But, let's say someone else is managing that branch and he deliberately doesn't maintain the database fairly. He skip the entries of few sales. How do I prevent this part? I was thinking about providing the branch manager with a certain number of cups each day but even then this problem wouldn't be fixed entirely.

 

[mhtro]

Probably use an automated system to keep control of inventory / cash flow a system that you only can control so you are sure no one Is being a cheeky cunt. Google it I am pretty sure there are ways

 

[BassTrackerBoats]

I was thinking about providing the branch manager with a certain number of cups each day but even then this problem wouldn't be fixed entirely.

That is how a guy I know that owns a couple of pizza shops; he counts boxes and X amount of boxes = Y amount of income.

You are certainly on the right track there.

 

[rumi92]

That is how a guy I know that owns a couple of pizza shops; he counts boxes and X amount of boxes = Y amount of income.

You are certainly on the right track there.

Hey thanks. So does he actually go and count the number of remaining boxes in each branch at the end of the day ?

 

[cerebration]

Scaling offline business is difficult. What I would do is open a new store and spend the first couple months monitoring it. You already have the statistics from the old store. You know how much you should make on average per month. Just follow these numbers and if things go off the track, that means they really are ripping you off. Then you can either add more security systems or hire new people.

In my opinion, this would allow you to focus completely on your new store, which would need your attention, especially at the very beginning. You certainly don't want to be distracted from the first store when you're just opening and developing the second one.

 

[BassTrackerBoats]

Hey thanks. So does he actually go and count the number of remaining boxes in each branch at the end of the day ?

I don't know if it is daily, every couple of days or what but I know he or one of his sons personally counts boxes.

I am sure he has other checks in place but every pizza sold goes in a pizza box so it is pretty easy to catch if there are some that get sold without him getting paid.

You are not going to be able to guarantee that all the revenue collected will end up in your pocket; I've owned multiple businesses where the people that work for you are not in your building and you do lose some revenue now and then. I've always considered that part of the cost of doing business.

 

[mhtro]

In what city/countey are you based on if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Stencil]

Hello,

I own an ice-cream stand in one of the most popular mall in my city. I've hired 2 guys for this job and I mostly sit there and monitor everything. I'm making like $1500 (profit) a month for the last 8 months from that store which is kind of a pretty big deal here. Now I'm willing to expand this business and open up more branches across the city. There are few things I would like to ask.

Obviously I'll need to hire few people to manage the new branches but how do I make sure that they don't try to rip me off. How do I ensure that they're telling the truth about sales and everything and how do I prevent any possibility of fraud.

Well I think there are 2 things that you can do to avoid that kind of situation.
1) Install a Cctv camera (if that's possible)
2) Put up a poster which most other branches do.
"Äsk for your Bill, If you don't get it call on xxxxxxxxx and your ice cream is FREE"
Other solutions are already shared by the other members such as keeping a close watch on the inventory, making usual rounds on all the stores everyday, better if it is twice a day.
Compare the business all the stores are producing and see which one is under performing, once you figured that out, pay more attention on that one and continue doing so with all the stores.
Apart from this, you can make sure your employees are well motivated and well paid. Friendship goes a long way than Boss-Employee relationship.
Remember, the greatest disease human beings are infected with is "Greed"
There is no sure shot way to ensure your profits and avoid any malice in your employees heart(s) Since greed can culminate in anyone's mind at any point of time and there is nothing you can do about it.
Good luck though, hope it works out all well!

 

[Total Noob]

Blockchain technology could help with this.