SKILL.md
Franchise Operations Playbook (Parameterized)
A template engine that generates a complete franchise operations playbook tailored to any business model, product type, and revenue model.
Required Inputs
- {businessmodel}: One of
SaaS,physicalretail,service,hybrid. Determines delivery workflow, support scope, supply chain, and milestone gates. - {product_type}: Domain of the franchise offering — e.g.,
software,food,education,healthcare,fitness,beauty,cleaning,automotive. Drives terminology, training content, and compliance requirements. - {revenue_model}: How revenue is generated —
subscription,transaction,licensing,retail. Shapes sales enablement, pricing frameworks, and performance metrics. - Product/Service: Capabilities, complexity, and delivery requirements of the franchise offering.
- Franchise Model: Territory structure, franchisee profile, support ratio.
- Service Scope: Responsibilities split between franchisee and franchisor.
- Quality Standards: Target SLAs, satisfaction targets, compliance requirements.
Terminology Map
Resolve customer-facing language from {businessmodel} and {producttype}:
| business_model | Customer Term | Delivery Term | Location Term | Transaction Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SaaS | client, account | implementation | territory | subscription |
| physical_retail | customer, guest | store experience | store, location | purchase, sale |
| service | client, patient, member | service delivery | service area | appointment, session |
| hybrid | client, customer | engagement | market, territory | contract, booking |
Use the resolved terms throughout all generated playbook sections.
Execution Steps
1. Franchisee Onboarding Program (30/60/90 Day Ramp)
Week 1-2: Foundation (universal structure, {product_type}-adapted training)
- Business setup: entity formation, insurance, local business licenses.
- Platform/location access: admin portal credentials, tool provisioning, site access.
- Core training — adapts by
{product_type}:
- software: product knowledge certification, platform navigation, feature deep-dives. - food: food safety certification, recipe/menu mastery, equipment operation. - healthcare: clinical protocols, regulatory compliance (HIPAA/equivalents), equipment training. - fitness: program methodology certification, equipment safety, member assessment protocols. - education: curriculum mastery, pedagogy standards, student assessment tools. - General: product/service knowledge assessment (must pass >80%).
- Brand standards: visual identity, communication guidelines, co-branding rules.
Week 3-4: Sales Enablement (universal structure, {product_type}-specific ICP/demo)
- Sales playbook walkthrough: ICP definition (adapts to
{product_type}target buyer), objection handling, demo/pitch script. - CRM or POS setup and pipeline/funnel management training.
- Marketing toolkit: approved collateral, local marketing plan template.
- Pricing and quoting: contract/menu/rate templates, approval workflows.
- Shadow selling: ride-along with experienced franchisee or franchisor rep.
Month 2: First Customers (adapt "customer" per terminology map)
- Target: 2-3 prospects in pipeline, 1 signed/booked.
- First delivery: franchisor team leads, franchisee shadows.
- SaaS: first client implementation. - Retail: soft-open operations under franchisor supervision. - Service: first client engagements with franchisor oversight.
- Support training: L1 ticketing/issue system, escalation procedures, SLA expectations.
- Weekly coaching calls with franchise development manager.
Month 3: Independence
- Target: 3-5 prospects in pipeline, 2-3 signed, 1 live/active.
- Franchisee leads delivery with franchisor oversight.
- Full responsibility for L1 support/issues in territory.
- First quality audit (baseline score, not graded).
- Graduation: formal sign-off that franchisee is operationally independent.
Milestone Gates (Go/No-Go) — adapt criteria by {business_model}:
| Gate | Timing | Universal Criteria | {business_model} Adaptation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product/Service Certification | Day 14 | Pass knowledge assessment (>80%) | SaaS: platform demo cert. Retail: operations cert + food safety (if food). Service: methodology cert. |
| Sales Readiness | Day 30 | Complete pitch/demo certification, CRM/POS active | SaaS: live demo to mock client. Retail: POS proficiency test. Service: intake process walkthrough. |
| First Delivery | Day 60 | Successfully shadow 1 delivery cycle | SaaS: shadow implementation. Retail: supervised store shift. Service: supervised client engagement. |
| Operational Independence | Day 90 | 1+ active customer, L1 handling, audit baseline | SaaS: 1+ live account. Retail: store open, daily ops independent. Service: 1+ recurring client. |
Consequence of Gate Failure (universal): extend training period, delay territory activation, additional supervised practice, reassess at +7 days.
2. Customer/Service Delivery Playbook (Template Engine)
Generate the appropriate delivery playbook from {business_model}. All models follow a universal arc: Intake → Setup → Delivery → Stabilization → Steady-State.
SaaS: Implementation Playbook
| Phase | Timing | Activities | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery & Planning | Week 1-2 | Stakeholder mapping, requirements gathering, success criteria, implementation plan (RACI) | Franchisee + Client |
| Configuration & Migration | Week 3-6 | Platform config, data migration, integration setup, UAT | Franchisee (+ Franchisor if complex) |
| Training & Go-Live | Week 7-8 | Admin training, end-user training, go-live (parallel or cutover), hypercare (2 weeks) | Franchisee |
| Stabilization | Week 9-12 | Weekly check-ins, issue resolution, adoption tracking (DAU/MAU), success review, handoff to support | Franchisee |
Physical Retail: Store Opening Playbook
| Phase | Timing | Activities | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site Buildout | Week 1-6 | Construction/renovation, brand buildout, permits, inspections | Franchisee + Franchisor construction team |
| Equipment & Inventory | Week 7-8 | Equipment install, initial inventory receipt, POS setup, staff hiring/training | Franchisee |
| Soft Open | Week 9-10 | Friends & family events, operational dry-runs, process tuning | Franchisee + Franchisor ops |
| Grand Open | Week 11 | Marketing blitz, launch event, full operations | Franchisee |
| Stabilization | Week 12-16 | Daily ops review, staffing adjustments, inventory optimization, customer feedback loops | Franchisee |
Service: Service Delivery Playbook
| Phase | Timing | Activities | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Client Intake | Day 1-3 | Initial consultation, needs assessment, qualification | Franchisee |
| Assessment & Planning | Day 4-7 | Detailed assessment, service plan creation, pricing/scope agreement | Franchisee |
| Service Delivery | Ongoing | Execute service plan, milestone check-ins, progress tracking | Franchisee |
| Follow-Up & Review | Post-delivery | Outcome review, satisfaction survey, maintenance/renewal plan | Franchisee |
| Retention | Ongoing | Regular check-ins, upsell opportunities, referral program | Franchisee |
Hybrid: Blended Delivery Playbook
Combine applicable phases from SaaS (digital component) and Retail or Service (physical component). Sequence: physical setup runs in parallel with digital configuration; unified go-live; single stabilization period covering both channels.
3. Tiered Support Model
Universal L1/L2/L3/Emergency structure with scope adapted by {business_model}:
| Tier | Owner | Universal Scope | SLA (Response / Resolution) |
|---|---|---|---|
| L1: Basic | Franchisee | Basic questions, how-to, simple issues, account/user management | 4 hrs / 24 hrs |
| L2: Complex | Franchisor support team | Complex issues, technical/operational problems, escalated complaints | 8 hrs / 48 hrs |
| L3: Systemic | Franchisor engineering/ops | Systemic issues, product/infrastructure bugs, architecture problems | 4 hrs (critical) / per severity |
| Emergency | Franchisor on-call | Outages, safety incidents, data breaches, regulatory emergencies | 15 min / immediate |
Business-Model-Specific L1 Examples
| Tier | SaaS | Retail | Service | Healthcare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L1 | Password resets, how-to, basic config | Register issues, product questions, simple returns | Scheduling, basic service questions | Appointment booking, portal access |
| L2 | Integration failures, data issues, complex config | Equipment malfunction, inventory system errors, vendor disputes | Complex service complaints, staff issues | Clinical system errors, compliance questions |
| L3 | Platform bugs, security, architecture | Supply chain failures, POS platform issues | Methodology/protocol issues, systemic quality | Regulatory violations, clinical system failures |
| Emergency | Platform outage, data breach | Safety incident, health code violation | Client safety incident, legal/liability | Patient safety, regulatory emergency |
Escalation Matrix (universal)
| Trigger | From | To | Notification |
|---|---|---|---|
| L1 unresolved > 24 hrs | Franchisee | Franchisor L2 | Automatic ticket escalation |
| Customer threatens churn/complaint | Franchisee | Franchise development manager | Immediate call + action plan |
| Safety/data incident suspected | Anyone | Franchisor security/safety team | Immediate + incident protocol |
| SLA breach | System detection | Franchisor operations | Automatic alert + root cause |
| Repeated L1 same issue (pattern) | Pattern detection | Franchisor product/ops team | Bug report or training gap analysis |
4. Quality Assurance & Compliance Audit Framework
Quarterly Franchise Audit Scorecard (universal structure, metrics adapt by {business_model})
| Category | Weight | Universal Metrics | Pass Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Satisfaction | 25% | NPS, CSAT, retention rate | NPS > 40 |
| Delivery Quality | 20% | On-time delivery %, accuracy/defect rate, completion rate | > 85% on-time |
| Support Performance | 20% | L1 resolution rate, SLA compliance, escalation rate | > 90% SLA met |
| Sales Performance | 15% | Pipeline activity, conversion rate, revenue vs. target | > 70% of target |
| Compliance | 10% | Brand standards, regulatory, data/safety, contract compliance | 100% critical items |
| Operations | 10% | Reporting timeliness, system usage, training currency | > 90% compliance |
Metric Customization by {business_model}
- SaaS: Delivery Quality = on-time go-live %, data migration accuracy, adoption (DAU/MAU). Customer Satisfaction includes product NPS.
- Retail: Delivery Quality = mystery shop score, health/safety inspection pass rate, inventory accuracy. Add food safety or product quality metrics if applicable.
- Service: Delivery Quality = service outcome scores, client goal attainment %, on-time appointment rate. Customer Satisfaction includes service-specific CSAT.
- Healthcare: Add clinical quality metrics, regulatory compliance scores, patient outcome measures. Compliance weight increases to 20% (reduce Sales to 10%, Operations to 5%).
Audit Process (universal)
- Self-assessment submitted by franchisee (monthly KPI reporting).
- Franchisor remote audit (quarterly — dashboard review, ticket/record sampling).
- Franchisor on-site audit (annually — full operational review).
- Mystery shopping / secret client (semi-annually — test sales inquiry and support).
Corrective Action Protocol (universal)
| Score | Status | Action | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90-100% | Exemplary | Recognition, case study opportunity | N/A |
| 75-89% | Satisfactory | Improvement plan for weak areas | 90 days |
| 60-74% | At Risk | Mandatory improvement plan, increased monitoring | 60 days |
| < 60% | Critical | Performance remediation, potential default notice | 30 days |
5. Supply Chain & Materials Matrix
Generate the materials/supply plan from {business_model}:
SaaS
| Item | Purpose | Sourcing | Inventory Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training kits | Franchisee onboarding | Centrally produced | Ship on franchise signing |
| Branded collateral | Client presentations, events | Approved print vendors | Order on demand |
| Demo devices | Product demonstrations | Centrally procured | 2 per franchise unit |
| Event materials | Trade shows, conferences | Central design, local print | Seasonal ordering |
| Welcome packages | New client onboarding | Centrally produced | Ship per implementation |
Physical Retail
| Item | Purpose | Sourcing | Inventory Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw materials / ingredients | Product production | Approved supplier network | Par-level replenishment |
| Packaging | Product packaging, bags | Centrally designed, bulk order | Monthly shipment |
| POS equipment | Transaction processing | Centrally procured | Ship on store opening |
| Uniforms | Staff branding | Approved vendor | Order per hire |
| Signage & fixtures | Store branding | Centrally produced | Ship on buildout |
| Consumables | Daily operations | Approved suppliers | Weekly/bi-weekly reorder |
Service
| Item | Purpose | Sourcing | Inventory Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tools / equipment | Service delivery | Approved vendors or central procurement | Ship on franchise signing |
| Branded materials | Client-facing collateral, forms | Central design, local print | Order on demand |
| Uniforms | Staff branding | Approved vendor | Order per hire |
| Consumables | Service delivery (cleaning supplies, medical supplies, etc.) | Approved suppliers | Par-level replenishment |
| Client welcome kits | New client onboarding | Centrally produced | Ship per engagement |
Hybrid: Combine SaaS digital materials with the applicable physical model above. Ensure a unified ordering portal or system that covers both digital provisioning and physical procurement.
Output Template
## Franchise Operations Playbook: [Product/Brand Name]
### Parameters: {business_model} | {product_type} | {revenue_model}
### 1. Franchisee Onboarding Program
[30/60/90 day plan with milestone gates adapted to {business_model}]
### 2. [Customer Term] Delivery Playbook
[Delivery phases generated from {business_model} template — include timeline and RACI]
### 3. Tiered Support Model
[L1/L2/L3/Emergency with SLAs and escalation matrix, scoped to {business_model}]
### 4. Quality Assurance Framework
[Audit scorecard with {business_model}-specific metrics, audit process, corrective actions]
### 5. Supply Chain & Materials Plan
[Materials matrix generated from {business_model}]
### Appendices
- A: Franchisee onboarding checklist (adapted to {product_type})
- B: [Customer term] delivery checklist (generated from {business_model})
- C: L1 support knowledge base structure
- D: Audit self-assessment template
Quality Checks
- All
{businessmodel},{producttype}, and{revenue_model}parameters are resolved — no unresolved placeholders in final output. - Customer-facing terminology is consistent with the terminology map throughout.
- 30/60/90 onboarding includes measurable milestone gates with {business_model}-specific criteria and consequences.
- Delivery playbook matches the selected {business_model} template (not a generic fallback).
- Support model defines specific SLAs in hours (not vague terms like "timely").
- Escalation matrix covers both operational and crisis/safety scenarios.
- Audit scorecard metrics are customized to {business_model} — not generic placeholders.
- Corrective action protocol has defined score thresholds and remediation timelines.
- Supply chain matrix matches {business_model} — SaaS does not list raw materials; retail does not list demo devices.
- Compliance section accounts for {product_type}-specific regulations (HIPAA, food safety, etc.).