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Integrated Digital Strategies - Your Franchise Marketing Agency

Local SEO marketing has become a crucial aspect of franchise development marketing. As franchises expand their footprints across multiple locations, the need to optimize their online presence at the local level has never been more important.

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In this article, Integrated Digital Strategies (IDS) delves into the world of local search engine optimization (SEO) tactics that every franchise should implement to enhance their franchise development efforts. From understanding the unique challenges faced by franchises to crafting an effective local SEO marketing strategy, this guide will provide actionable insights to help franchises thrive in the competitive digital marketplace.

Understanding Local SEO Marketing in the World of Franchising

Local SEO has become an essential marketing strategy for businesses, including franchises. Local SEO refers to the process of optimizing a business's online presence to attract more traffic, leads, and customers from location-based searches on search engines like Google.

Franchises operate across multiple locations, and franchisors are continually looking for potential franchisees within specific target markets, making local SEO crucial when it comes to franchise development marketing. By optimizing for local search, franchisors can target candidates seeking opportunities within precise geographic areas.

For example, if someone were to search “franchise opportunities in Georgia” and you’ve optimized your website or web page to appear for that search query, you’re more likely to get page visits and, ultimately, leads.

location focused SEO strategy

Local SEO Challenges for Franchises

Franchises face a few challenges when it comes to implementing effective local SEO strategies to support franchise development. Let’s delve into two of the most prominent ones.

Local SEO Strategy for Franchises

A comprehensive local SEO marketing strategy tailored to the unique needs of franchisors can significantly enhance online visibility, engagement, and, ultimately, franchise development success. In this section of the guide, we explore a few of these strategies that can be implemented for optimal performance.

Thorough Local Keyword Research and Optimization

Local Link Building and Citation Management

Content Creation and Localization

Mobile Optimization for Local Searches

desktop mobile friendly

Partner with IDS to Implement Local SEO for Franchises

Imagine having dedicated hyperlocal pages on your website that speak directly to potential franchisees in specific geographic areas. With IDS, this becomes a reality. Our hyperlocal pages are strategically crafted to resonate with local audiences, creating a compelling narrative for franchise opportunities within their reach.

Identifying, qualifying, and pursuing potential franchisees can be a daunting task. Hyperlocal marketing, a specialty of IDS, serves as a powerful solution to alleviate the headaches associated with this process. By leveraging our hyperlocal pages integrated into your website, we streamline the franchisee acquisition journey, making it more targeted and efficient.

The IDS team has consistently delivered tangible results for franchise brands across diverse industries. Our digital marketing services have proven to be a game-changer, attracting qualified entrepreneurs to franchise with confidence. Whether you operate in the food, retail, or service sector, our tailored strategies are designed to meet your brand's unique needs.

By partnering with IDS, you can redirect your time, energy, and valuable resources toward refining other critical aspects of your franchise opportunities. Our comprehensive franchise marketing services work on your brand's behalf, freeing you from the complexities of digital promotion and allowing you to focus on enhancing your franchise offerings.

Ready to take your franchise development efforts to the next level? Whether you're looking to attract qualified entrepreneurs, streamline franchisee acquisition, or enhance your online presence, IDS is here to help.

Reach out to our team now to schedule a consultation and learn more about the transformative power of hyperlocal marketing for your franchise development program.

Don't miss out - contact IDS today, and let's get started on a journey toward franchise development excellence together!

Staying ahead in the fast-paced world of franchising requires a keen eye on emerging trends and evolving business practices. At IDS, we pride ourselves on keeping a pulse on the latest developments in franchise growth strategies and digital marketing innovations.

As we progress further into 2024, we've rounded up several potential trends franchise brands, operators, developers, sales teams, and marketers might find interesting as the year continues to unfold.

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2023 Franchise Trends Recap

Before we dive into the franchise trends you can expect to see across the industry this year, let’s do a quick recap of 2023.

A Stable Franchise Industry

The franchise industry saw stability in 2023, driven by cooling inflation, stabilizing prices, rebounding supply chains, and strong job reports. Despite economic uncertainty, the industry stayed strong, with increases of almost 15,000 units and approximately 254,000 jobs, reaching a total output of $860.1B, a bump of 4.2% over 2022’s data.

Better Work-Life Balance

In addition to fueling employment and driving economic growth, franchising allowed more individuals to follow their passions and leave the corporate world behind as they started their own businesses in 2023. One out of six Americans has embraced entrepreneurship, and with more individuals craving better work-life balance and flexibility as a main driver for their franchise aspirations, this number is expected to rise.

work-life balance

Multi-Unit Boom

Multi-unit development was big for franchises in 2023 as investors and private equity firms took more interest in scalable revenue. Franchisors proactively positioned their multi-unit opportunities for owners to fully leverage proven franchise systems to better adapt to consumer needs, develop strong operating models, and increase levels of efficiency.

Franchising Industry Trends in 2024

As we enter Q2 of 2024, the franchising industry continues to boost economic development, foster entrepreneurship, and facilitate job creation, representing a multi-faceted landscape of entrepreneurial endeavors and business expansion models.

This year is poised to be a year of opportunity and cautious optimism, driven by an increased focus on customer experience and the resurgence of traditional marketing methods. With technological advancements, increased awareness of diversity in franchising, and enhanced franchisee support, it’s clear that franchising’s resilience and adaptability remain foundational pillars in shaping the modern business landscape.

Here are some of the trends and innovations expected to fuel more growth this year:

Economic Cooling = Slower Decision-Making

As the economy stabilizes, the current cool-off period will be met by election-year anxiety. This will slow down new deals, as investors will be more cautious with decision-making. To support growth, franchisors will shift their focus to enhancing franchisee support and profitability.

Increased Adoption and Influence of Technology

With franchisors looking to take advantage of strategic growth, many brands are focusing on adopting and implementing technological advancements. Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the business landscape as this technology offers significant competitive advantages when used correctly.

Generative AI has already begun helping the franchise industry, as it allows franchisors and their franchisees to simplify routine tasks with increased efficiency, enhance customer service by deciphering consumer data, assist with training programs and ongoing support, and analyze trends across different industries. Adopting this technology allows franchise brands to focus on strategic planning, brand development, and more growth opportunities.

Continued Focus on Customer Experience

Maintaining customer contact has always been important. In today’s world, customer experience is a key component for many franchise industries as modern consumer preferences shift toward increased value in products and experiences. For franchisors to remain competitive, they must adapt their marketing approach with evolving strategies to foster a strong brand-consumer relationship as they attract and retain customers.

customer journey

. . . And Increased Emphasis on Franchisee Experience

With new leads expected to stay in the funnel longer, franchisors are increasingly emphasizing franchisee support and profitability. Brands are taking a back-to-basics approach to operations, focusing on fundamental skills across all aspects of the business to help existing franchisees support growth. As more franchisors aim to create authentic customer connections, they’ll need to support their franchisees as they play a starring role in building brand loyalty.

Brands are also ramping up efforts to assist franchisees with employee retention to accelerate growth and reduce hiring and onboarding time. Other initiatives that more brands will focus on include:

Make a Difference with Marketing

To set themselves apart in the market and foster strong brand-consumer relationships, franchisors, and franchisees should be united in their creative marketing efforts. Increasing focus on human-centric marketing is being seen as a means to cut through the noise and create authentic connections with customers. Conversely, while digital content and AI appear to be leading marketing strategies, some brands are embracing traditional marketing tactics to take a more personalized and direct marketing approach.

Expanded Visibility for Women

Last but certainly not least, a greater number of women in franchising will enter leadership positions. Women will become a bigger driving force in increasing attention to female consumers' needs while also furthering the visibility and importance of women in the franchising community.

Franchise Development Trends 2024

Franchise development was driven by several factors in 2024, mostly centered around budgets and costs. Trends that shaped the development side of the franchise sector included:

Less Dependence on Brokers

Selling is tough when interest rates are high, inflation drives prices higher, and resulting profit margins are limited. Franchisors relied on brokers for franchise recruitment or lead generation when interest rates were low. Yet, now brands are realizing broker sales are no longer worth their high fees and that more lead generation is possible through digital advertising.

Increasing Digital Budgets

With digital advertising becoming the number one source for closed deals, franchisors are decreasing their spending on broker sales to increase their digital marketing strategies. Strong digital marketing strategies can help propel brands forward in 2024, with more companies investing in themselves through PR, digital marketing, and CRM tools.

Battling Rising Costs

Thanks to inflation, the cost of everything related to doing business has increased over the past year. Franchise development was hit hard with increased costs of goods, shipping, real estate, labor, recruitment, advertising, and, in some cases, rising franchise fees. Franchisors are realizing that they need to pivot their target audiences by shifting to more investor-based personas to achieve sales growth.

The Importance of First-Party Data

As we continue gravitating toward a cookie-less future, franchisors will need data and a robust CRM to source leads. First-party data is becoming increasingly significant as a means to understanding your target audience while embracing campaign cost efficiencies. To rise above the competition and ensure your brand is heard above the digital noise highlights the need for an optimized omnichannel approach.

Increased Use of AI

AI is permeating every industry at an accelerated pace, and franchise development is no different. Franchise development has seen the power of harnessing AI to develop and produce more content at a faster rate, underscoring the need to embrace this technology or risk falling behind. However, don’t rely on new technologies too much; humans are still highly elemental to the process.

ai franchise marketing strategy

Higher Recruitment Budgets

It’s no secret that recruitment budgets have continued their upward trend for 57% of franchise brands. As digital marketing continues to consume more of the advertising spend, brands need to track ad spending and its effectiveness while watching and nurturing their recruitment efforts from referrals.

Measuring costs associated with lead generation is a key factor when considering how much franchise brands should allocate to acquire prospective owners. By analyzing this data, brands can manage their costs more effectively to improve their total cost per lead.

Franchise Sales

Franchise sales for 2024 are expected to reach the best year’s results since before the pandemic. Let’s take a look at what’s driving franchise sales for the year ahead:

Increased Consumer Sentiment

With consumer sentiment rising steadily, franchising is poised to continue its upward trend. As job openings decline, remote work opportunities wane, and financial conditions loosen, more new entrepreneurs are expected to move toward becoming their own bosses. Even with interest rates and inflationary pressures as obstacles, franchisors are expressing a positive outlook for business growth in the months ahead.

Evolving Acquisition Routes

The main strategies franchisors currently employ to acquire prospective owners include email and text marketing, paid search, and social media. However, as these options and their platforms undergo significant changes, franchisors will have to develop more ways to reach lead generation goals.

Franchisors can get ahead by embracing lead generation through digital channels, SEO and pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns, social media and franchise portals, broker networks, multichannel media strategies, cross-branding franchises, adapting to rising costs, and more.

Franchise Marketing

Franchise marketing continues to grow as more franchisors invest in digital campaigns to reach prospective franchise owners. No longer an afterthought, a strong digital marketing campaign is a necessary component for robust brand awareness and lead generation.

hyperlocal marketing strategy

Here are some ways franchise marketing is adapting in 2024:

Improving Visibility Through True Multichannel Campaigns

By utilizing a true multichannel campaign, franchisors can improve their visibility through their franchise website, email, social media, apps, and other branded information. Accessibility and consistency across multiple devices are the backbone of multichannel campaigns and critical to spreading brand awareness, generating stronger audience engagement, building long-term loyalty, and reaching prospective franchise owners.

AI’s Growing Role

AI’s expanded use presents many opportunities for franchise digital marketers to streamline operations, engage with more prospective franchisees, and make informed decisions. This technology can help increase overall productivity by adding efficiencies like automation and personalization to create comprehensive management systems for data collection, analytics, and optimization for franchisors as they review their marketing strategies.

franchise marketing strategist using AI tool

Systems Approach to Franchise Marketing

In the spirit of true multichannel marketing, it’s imperative for franchisors and franchisees to employ a systems approach to structure their marketing content. By ensuring brand consistency, franchisors can eliminate inefficiencies between channels and brand strategies, continue to grow their business, and maintain control over brand values, image, and messaging across all channels.

Building Upon 2023’s Growth

With a stable economic environment, an emphasis on work-life balance, and an increase in multi-unit expansions, 2023 marked a year of growth and adaptability. As we navigate 2024, the industry faces new challenges and opportunities. The trends highlighted, from economic considerations to the integration of technology and the emphasis on customer and franchisee experiences, underscore the industry's dynamic nature and reflect a shifting landscape of inclusivity and innovation.

While facing rising costs and shifting consumer sentiments, franchisors are adapting by leveraging digital platforms, embracing AI, and redefining marketing approaches. As franchising continues to evolve, it remains a cornerstone of economic growth, entrepreneurship, and community engagement, promising a future marked by resilience, creativity, and collaboration.

To discover how your brand can leverage digital platforms, embrace AI, and redefine marketing approaches to propel your franchise to unprecedented heights of success, get in touch with a member of the IDS team today, and learn more about our services and how we can help you craft a winning strategy!

In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 chicken franchise concepts for 2024 that drive the growth of this dynamic industry and provide insights into the important factors to consider when evaluating chicken franchise opportunities and investment opportunities.

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Food trends may come and go, but one contender has stood the test of time while continuing to ruffle feathers with its versatility and palatable charm: the ever-humble chicken.

From fried chicken sandwiches to wings and tenders, the growing demand for poultry has sparked a wave of new chicken franchise concepts and restaurant opportunities for entrepreneurs to capitalize on the most-consumed protein in the country.

top 10 chicken franchise opportunities

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

The increase in demand for chicken is nothing new; beef has been steadily declining in consumer demand due to research linking red meat consumption with increased risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. The past few years have seen the rise of plant-based alternative meat products – mostly targeting beef analogs – in an effort to reduce red meat consumption.

When the National Chicken Council began recording per capita chicken consumption in 1960, Americans were eating an average of 28 pounds of chicken and 63 pounds of beef annually. Over the years, chicken per capita consumption has continually increased while beef consumption has steadily decreased. In its early estimates for 2024, the Council predicts consumers will eat around 102 pounds of chicken and 54 pounds of beef per person.

In its early estimates for 2023, the Council predicts consumers will eat nearly 102 pounds of chicken and 57 pounds of beef per person.

With carnivorous consumers hungry for something deliciously different, chicken has stepped up to the plate and flown the coop. For franchisors, that’s nothing to balk at – they, too, can leverage the increase in chicken consumption to delight their customers with fresh takes on nostalgic favorites, new international concepts, and enhanced flavor capability via sauces.

Chicken, it seems, has scratched its way through the pecking order to rule the roost.

A Chicken in Every Pot

The food service industry is among the strongest in terms of economic output: forecast to reach $997 billion in sales in 2023, the market presents an abundant opportunity. With pandemic restrictions lifted, consumers are returning to the restaurant experience, as evidenced by 84% of respondents that stated that going out is a better use of their time than cooking and cleaning up.

In turn, the chicken franchise scene has seen remarkable growth. As part of the behemoth food service industry, the market for fast-food chicken franchises in the US is a chicken in every pot with an estimated value of $55.6 billion. The market has seen a growth rate of 1.1% over the past year alone, following an 8.4% uptick in growth over the past five years.

Chicken-focused franchise concepts are more popular than ever, creating an overnight sensation in demand and offerings. Over the past five years, more than 40 new fast-food chicken concepts have entered the franchising market, paving the way for new brands to compete for market share as part of this powerful trend.

Something to Squawk About

The demand for chicken is driving menu item innovations as brands continue to compete in this growing market. Chicken sandwiches, chicken fingers, and chicken nuggets are among the most popular items, and franchise concepts are responding to the demand with high-quality food, innovative flavor options, and sharp operations.

While it was once the battle of burgers, we are now in the age of the battle of the chicken sandwich. Long-established and beloved brands are debuting new menu offerings left and right, while a new wave of franchise operators is embracing other trends like international flavors, healthier meal options, eco-friendly items, and dishes tailored to takeout to augment their chicken concepts.

With nearly every chicken franchise system featuring a fried chicken sandwich as a menu centerpiece, it really just boils down to offering a quality chicken sandwich with a flavor-filled sauce. Consumers care more about the main dish than the sides, and rightfully so. Franchisors can satiate growing consumer demand with flavor variety, international perspectives, and imaginative takes on nostalgic classics.

Feather Your (Franchising) Nest

For chicken concept franchisors, now is the time to make a full offering in the segment. As consumer demand for chicken continues to increase, franchise systems can take advantage of high demand by adding more chicken offerings while embracing lower food costs.

Coincidentally, as poultry supplies have improved, prices for chicken breasts, thighs, and wings have decreased, bringing relief to chicken franchisors. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the price for chicken breasts has seen a 70% reduction since its peak in the US, a key factor in driving more concepts to step up their chicken offerings while taking advantage of more attractive margins.

What’s more, savvy operators and franchisors are embracing the new normal as temporary fixes developed during the pandemic have firmly taken root with consumers. By offering expanded delivery services, providing outdoor dining options, and investing in contemporary technology, operators can cater to more consumers while boosting their bottom lines.

Additionally, operators have harnessed other aspects of the new normal to entice customers. This is accomplished by presenting engaging offerings at all hours, creating more value deals, offering flexible pricing, developing multi-course meal bundles, and more.

For prospective franchisees looking to get in on the growing craze, don’t be a chicken: this is a great opportunity to break into a booming industry and embrace a trend with staying power and solid return on investment. In short, the industry is booming and isn’t showing signs of slowing anytime soon. Consumer demand will continue to increase as franchise systems expand.

Top 10 Chicken Franchise Opportunities

At IDS, we provide integrated marketing solutions and strategies for a wide range of franchise concepts. While we don’t put all our eggs in one basket, we’ve established long-standing relationships with quite a few chicken franchisors, helping drive chicken franchise growth.

Let’s take a look at some of the top chicken franchise opportunities for entrepreneurs to consider investing in for 2024:

brand name
Bojangles logo

Bojangles


https://bojanglesfranchising.com/

Beyond its unique name, Bojangles stands out by existing simultaneously across three popular categories: quick service, chicken, and breakfast. For more than 45 years, the brand has offered Southern know-how when it comes to best-in-class fried chicken and putting franchisees on the right path. Their efficient business model utilizes convenience and quality to entice guests to keep coming back and help franchisees capitalize on growing industry demand.

As part of their franchise model, franchisees enjoy strong performance through all three primary dayparts; off-premises dining to maximize sales, labor, and workflow; and high-quality food with authentic flavor. One of the brand’s unique value propositions is having built a reputation for quality by using in-house recipes and fresh ingredients with no compromises, shortcuts, or microwaves. This includes made-from-scratch biscuits baked every 20 minutes and their hallmark Legendary Iced Tea®.

Bojangles offers two franchise concepts for franchisees to choose from: Express and Traditional. The estimated initial investment for Express locations ranges from $895,890 to $1,414,500, and for Traditional, $1,060,400 to $3,020,750.

brand name
Hooters logo

Hooters


https://www.hootersfranchise.com/

Hooters is a true American original, boasting a crave-able high-quality menu, reasonable prices, and a vibrant restaurant prototype. The legacy brand is approaching 40 years of franchise experience, built upon the strong foundation of its world-famous Hooters Girl hospitality.

The brand has come a long way from its start in October 1983, with over 430 locations in 28 countries and 250 corporately held locations. Franchisees can take advantage of their worldwide recognition in addition to several dedicated support teams: franchise development, franchise operations, construction and design, training, marketing, supply chain, and product development.

Hooters offers several franchise concepts, as they are adaptable, including freestanding, conversion of an existing freestanding restaurant, shopping center end caps, street-front retail locations, and highly trafficked captive audience venues. The estimated initial investment range for new build locations is $2,748,300 to $4,100,000, with the estimated initial investment for conversion locations ranging from $1,258,300 to $2,280,000.

brand name
Church’s Texas Chicken logo

Church’s Texas Chicken


https://churchschickenfranchise.com/

As the brand surpasses 70 years of operation, it’s no surprise that Church’s Texas Chicken has become one of the largest quick-service chicken chains in the world. Starting in 1952 across the street from the Alamo, Church’s firmly cemented its original Texas roots with bold, hand-crafted flavor, and they don’t plan on changing that any time soon.

Church’s franchise opportunity presents investors with integrated support at every stage. The franchise system business model incorporates operations, marketing, and technology support to help franchisees see maximum return on investment. The brand’s team of industry experts provides franchisees with valuable tools and resources, including national media marketing, a domestic online delivery system, accelerated communication via streamlined tech, and more, all designed to keep guests happy and coming back for more.

The brand offers several franchise concepts to invest in. For a freestanding Blaze 1700, the initial investment ranges from $1,296,225 to $1,464,335. For the freestanding Blaze 1400, investors can estimate spending between $1,192,202 and $1,406,509. And for an end cap unit, the estimated franchise cost range is $676,500 to $1,016,300.

brand name
golden chick

Golden Chick


https://goldenchickfranchising.com/

Originating in central Texas in the late 1960s, Golden Chick has become a leading quick-service chicken restaurant. With over 50 years of franchising experience and success, the brand prides itself on wholesome and satisfying heritage menu items as the originator of Golden Tenders® while remaining mindful of the potential that the latest dining trends can hold.

Aside from its longevity, highly recognizable brand name, and beloved menu, Golden Chick offers a franchise opportunity with a business model that provides many advantages to owners, including competitive start-up costs, superb ground-up or conversion construction design, strong marketing, and advertising support programs.

The brand enables franchisees to choose from three unique concepts, allowing them to develop a restaurant that best suits the needs of their community while staying on budget. For freestanding, ground-up locations, investors can estimate spending $895,890 to $1,414,500 on their initial investment. For a freestanding conversion location, the initial investment range is between $438,450 and $957,500 and for prototypical end-cap restaurant locations, the estimated franchise cost is $470,450 to $946,400.

brand name
Buffalo Wild Wings logo

Buffalo Wild Wings


https://buffalowildwingsfranchising.com/

Wings. Beer. Sports.® What’s not to love about B-Dubs? Buffalo Wild Wings has grown from two hungry guys to the largest sports bar brand in the US, with over 1,200 locations. The brand stands out because, unlike other restaurants aiming to get customers in and out quickly, Buffalo Wild Wings wants you to stick around, enjoying their transformative restaurant design, best-in-class food and drink, and innovative sports-watching experiences.

Since 1982, Buffalo Wild Wings has embraced a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere where game time morphs into stories worth telling. With 20 signature sauces and seasonings, there’s something for everyone on their menu. The brand aims to be a premier operator and franchisor by providing franchisees with best-in-class support across all areas, including restaurant development planning, design and construction, operations training, marketing and branding, and supply chain expertise.

Buffalo Wild Wings offers a variety of franchise concept designs, including non-freestanding, conversion of an existing site, new freestanding, and non-traditional locations. The total initial investment for The Great American Sports Bar ranges from $2,481,500 to $4,604,800.

brand name
KFC logo

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)


https://www.kfc.com/franchising

No other brand is as synonymous with fried chicken as Kentucky Fried Chicken. The world’s most popular chicken restaurant chain was founded in 1930 and has been franchising since 1952. Pioneered by the “Colonel” Harland Sanders, the brand’s secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices has dominated the QSR industry, selling sixty million buckets of chicken annually in the US alone.

With nearly 75 years of franchise history, it’s hard to find a franchisor with more experience than KFC. The brand prides itself on its classic comfort food and commitment to value and serving local communities. It’s a brand that continues to innovate by adding new menu items like chicken sandwiches, tenders, and fries.

KFC’s franchise opportunity offers industry-leading incentives for new development, flexible asset formats and designs, digital ordering capabilities, award-winning marketing, and strong unit economics, offering several restaurant formats, including traditional, non-traditional, and in-line restaurants. For new-build, ground-up construction, investors can estimate a $1,442,600 to $2,771,550 initial investment, with a re-open or remodel estimated between $1,008,600 and $2,221,500.

Brand LogoBrand Name
Popeyes logo

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen


https://franchising.popeyes.com/

Founded in 1972, Popeyes has built one of the most successful quick-service restaurant (QSR) franchises upon rich Cajun and Creole flavors. Unmistakably Louisiana-inspired, the brand embraces its history and culinary traditions while distinguishing itself with an authentic and unique New Orleans-style menu featuring spicy chicken, chicken tenders, and other regional items.

Popeyes offers a strong franchise opportunity complete with broad reach and decades of experience. The brand provides top-notch franchisee support in all sectors, including marketing, food, and customer services, in addition to instant brand name recognition, increased visibility, and customer interest.

To open a new restaurant with Popeyes, investors can estimate spending $383,500 to $3,545,800 for the initial investment.

brand name
Wingstop logo

Wingstop


https://www.wingstop.com/own-a-wingstop

Focused almost exclusively on high-quality buffalo-style chicken wings, Wingstop has positioned itself as The Wing Experts by putting flavor first. Opening its doors in 1994, the brand quickly became a fan favorite thanks to its proprietary recipes, outstanding food, and superior customer service. The brand began offering franchises in 1997, becoming one of the fastest-growing concepts in the country.

Wingstop offers excellent corporate support, plentiful training and educational resources, a relatively low cost, territory protections, low staffing requirements, and more as part of its franchise opportunity. Franchisees enjoy site selection, lease cost negotiation, grand opening, and ongoing support, as well as marketing assistance.

The brand offers two different franchising options: single-unit and multi-unit. For either option, investors can estimate spending $315,310 to $948,080 on their initial investment.

brand name
slim chickens logo

Slim Chickens


https://slimchickensfranchise.com/

Slim Chickens maintains a simple mission: make the best hand-breaded chicken tenders using only 100% all-natural premium tenderloins and the freshest ingredients. Founded in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 2003, the brand offers chicken tenders, wings, and wraps cooked to order and served with house dipping sauces.

Slim Chickens is known for being more than a quick meal, combining crave-able food, a cool vibe, and an extra touch of Southern hospitality as the company’s culture. The brand offers excellent branding, strong unit economics, and a passionate executive team to position franchisees for success.

Slim Chickens provides best-in-class support with site selection, design, construction, training, marketing, operations, real estate, and financing/accounting.

To open a new restaurant with Slim Chickens, investors can estimate spending $1,307,000 to $4,052,000 for the initial investment.

brand name
Zaxby's logo

Zaxby's


https://www.zaxbysfranchising.com/

Since 1990, Zaxby’s has been serving made-to-order chicken fingers, wings, sandwiches, and salads with Southern hospitality and a modern twist. The brand has since become beloved for its Chicken Fingerz™, wings, and legendary Zax Sauce.

Zaxby’s combines great food, a comfortable vibe, and fun people who care about each other, which translates into customer loyalty. The brand provides franchisees with marketing support, location development assistance, menu expansion, a robust initial training program, and ongoing business coaching.

To open a new restaurant with Zaxby’s, investors can estimate spending $501,700 to $950,200 for the initial investment. All of Zaxby’s locations are full-service restaurants in freestanding buildings that provide in-store seating and drive-thru windows.

Chicken QSR Opportunities by the Numbers

Franchise NameFranchise FeeRoyalty FeeAdvertising FeeTotal Number of Franchise Units (as of 2023)3-Year Franchise Growth RateEstimated Total Initial Investment Range
Bojangles$20,000 - $35,0004%4%7986.5%$622,500 - $3,647,200
Hooters$75,0005%2%367-3%$1,258,300 - $4,100,000
Church’s Texas Chicken$15,0005%5%1,535-1%$805,225 - $1,896,300
Golden Chick$30,0004%2%21215.2%$1,191,350 - $1,913,300
Buffalo Wild Wings$12,500 - $25,0005%3.25%1,252-1%$2,481,500 - $4,804,800
KFC$45,0004-5%5%28,47516.7%$1,852,825 - $3,771,550
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen$50,0005%4%4,09121.1%$383,500 - $3,695,800
Wingstop$20,0006%5%2,04642.5%$325,616 - $974,733
Slim Chickens$15,0005%3%214130.1%$1,628,900 - $4,389,000
Zaxby’s$35,0006%3-4.5%9221.8%$1,391,700 - $3,266,200

Data collected from each respective brand’s page:
Chicken Franchises - Page 1.” Entrepreneur, 2024.

Factors To Consider When Choosing a Chicken Franchise Opportunity

There’s a lot for investors and entrepreneurs to consider when not only deciding whether franchising is the right choice for them but then also choosing which franchise opportunity is best suited to their goals. Ultimately, it’s important to review several concepts to determine which option best suits your capabilities and objectives, so you can make an informed decision that appeases all your personal and financial requirements.

Prospective franchise owners should review all relevant franchise information, including each brand’s Franchise Disclosure Document, as part of the due diligence process. You’ll want to keep in mind your personal preferences, especially when it comes to how present you’d like to be as an owner (versus taking on more responsibility as an owner/operator) and how excited you are about the concept.

A large factor you’ll want to consider is your financial qualifications. Each franchise concept has a unique set of financial requirements you’ll have to meet, so you must be prepared to conduct an in-depth review of your finances to ensure you meet the necessary monetary qualifications. If you require financing options and the franchisor doesn’t provide direct financing, you’ll want to determine which options are available to you.

Some of the key factors you’ll want to consider as you review chicken franchise concepts include:

IDS Helping Franchisee Candidates Find the Right Franchise

With chicken franchises on the rise, it’s a great time to consider investing in any one of the top ten chicken franchise opportunities we’ve highlighted above. These ten companies are time-honored franchise brands that provide exemplary franchisor support and can help you leverage your investment to achieve your goals.

As chicken consumption continues to increase, the demand for chicken franchise restaurants will undoubtedly continue to rise. It’s your time to capitalize on the growing demand for chicken, and a chicken franchise opportunity can help you do just that with the backing and support of a leading franchisor.

At the end of the day, determining the best franchise opportunity for you can significantly impact your success. You’ll want to choose one that meets all of your criteria and that you’d be an ideal candidate for. You’ll also want to make sure it excites you and aligns with your personal interests because becoming a franchise owner is more than just a job; it’s a path toward building the lifestyle you want.

It’s important to take the time to consider not only the factors we’ve outlined above but also all available resources when it comes to your qualifications and capabilities. Your success is inherently tied to your franchisor’s success, and a good franchisor can make all the difference.

IDS Works with Chicken QSR Franchisors to Strategize a Successful Franchise Marketing Plan

If your chicken franchise concept is looking for a complete franchise digital marketing solution, turn to IDS.

With over ten years of experience in the franchise industry, we offer full-service digital marketing services that help franchisors find the right buyers.

IDS can create a marketing strategy to help you turn your franchise development site into a magnet for ideal prospective franchise candidates while growing your brand’s digital presence and outranking your competitors on search engines with a robust website. We use a multi-pronged, customized approach to address your specific goals and objectives.

Our experienced marketing team can help you get the most out of your franchise marketing efforts by providing the tools, strategy, and expertise you need to grow your franchise brand and achieve the results you're looking for. We work with franchisors and franchisees to provide customized digital marketing campaigns that are proven to drive franchisee sales through a strong digital presence.

IDS features a full suite of digital marketing products and services to suit any franchise concept, including content creation, search engine optimization, social media advertising, website design, reputation management, and much more. You can count on our experienced franchise development marketers as an extension of your team.

If you’re looking for multi-location marketing, we can help with that too! We’ve assisted countless clients with specialized multi-location marketing strategies to further their business growth.

Our approach to driving sustainable online growth for multi-location brands includes high-level brand strategies, effective marketing plans, specific advertising goals, local SEO best practices, social media management, and more.

IDS is your expert team for attracting highly qualified franchisees to your concept, making their new locations a success for both themselves and your brand. Let our scalable, fully integrated digital marketing solutions elevate your franchise growth with a strategy that will bring your brand name to new heights!

Are you interested in learning more about how IDS can help grow your chicken franchise concept? Get in touch with a member of our team today!

It goes without saying that franchisors constantly strive to enhance their online presence and attract the right audience: their potential franchisees. Franchise PPC (pay-per-click) advertising has emerged as a powerful tool in franchise development marketing, allowing franchisors to target specific audience segments that are relevant to their offerings.

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In this post, we delve into the art of PPC audience targeting, shedding light on how businesses, particularly in franchise development, can leverage this practice to maximize their marketing efforts.

The Power of Franchise PPC Audience Targeting

Precision and relevance are the cornerstones of success in the modern franchise development marketing world. As businesses navigate the complex terrain of franchise development, the ability to hone in on the right audience becomes a pivotal factor in ensuring the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.

At its core, PPC audience targeting involves tailoring advertising efforts to specific audience segments based on demographics, behaviors, and interests. This ensures that marketing messages resonate with the right individuals at the right time.

In the context of franchise development, where fostering meaningful connections with potential franchisees and investors is paramount, audience targeting ensures that marketing efforts are directed toward individuals most likely to engage. This not only optimizes resources but also enhances the overall efficiency of franchise marketing campaigns.

hyperlocal marketing franchise audience

Best Practices for Successful PPC Audience Targeting

There are a number of best practices that can elevate PPC strategies and ensure that marketing efforts resonate with the right audience and yield optimal results for franchise development.

Continuous Monitoring and Optimization

Utilizing Data-Driven Insights for Ongoing Improvements

a/b testing campaigns

A/B Testing Strategies for Ad Copy, Visuals, and Targeting Parameters

Adapting Strategies Based on Changing Market Dynamics and Trends

The effectiveness of PPC audience targeting lies in a dynamic and adaptive approach. By implementing these best practices, businesses can fine-tune their strategies, ensuring that PPC campaigns resonate with the right audience, foster engagement, and drive success in franchise development marketing.

The Importance of Paid Search Competitor Analysis

When it comes to PPC marketing, every click holds significant value, and gaining a competitive edge involves a meticulous examination of your competitors. Before any audience targeting can occur, it’s essential to look at what your competitors are doing and strategize how you can improve their efforts.

Paid search competitor analysis offers strategic insights into market trends, effective messaging, and successful keyword strategies. Decoding the approaches of industry rivals not only provides a competitive advantage but also keeps businesses ahead of the curve in adapting to emerging trends.

By comprehensively understanding competitor tactics, businesses can adapt and refine their PPC campaigns, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges of the evolving digital landscape.

Display Ads vs. Search Ads: Choosing the Right Approach

Businesses often face a crucial decision: whether to leverage display ads or search ads - or perhaps both.

Display Ads

Search Ads

Work with Integrated Digital Strategies (IDS) on Your PPC Campaigns

Developing a successful PPC campaign requires knowledge and a strategic partner who understands the intricacies of franchise digital marketing. Integrated Digital Strategies (IDS) is your ally in navigating the complex landscape of PPC advertising, offering expertise that extends beyond conventional approaches.

We understand that one size does not fit all. With a strong understanding of the franchise development landscape, IDS crafts customized PPC campaigns tailored to your business's unique goals and challenges.

IDS specializes in a holistic approach to digital marketing. By seamlessly integrating PPC with other channels, such as social media, content marketing, and SEO, IDS ensures that your franchise development campaigns benefit from a synergistic and comprehensive strategy.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to elevate your PPC campaigns and propel your franchise’s success. Let's embark on this journey together.

Contact IDS today to transform your franchise development marketing. Our team is eager to collaborate, innovate, and drive results for your brand.

When it comes to digital marketing, demographics are frequently used by marketers because they provide valuable information about the characteristics of a population, which can be crucial for understanding and targeting specific consumer groups. 

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These characteristics may include age, gender, income, education level, marital status, occupation, ethnicity, and location. By leveraging these demographics, marketers can create personalized and relevant campaigns that resonate with their target audience, increasing engagement and conversion rates. 

Furthermore, demographic data can also help identify new potential markets, track changes in consumer behavior over time, and measure the effectiveness of marketing strategies. Demographics are invaluable in the marketer's toolkit, enabling them to make data-driven decisions and optimize their campaigns for success.

Why Are Demographics Important in Digital Marketing?

Demographics play a crucial role in digital marketing because they help businesses understand who their customers are, what they want, and how they behave online. This knowledge allows businesses to create targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with their audience.

For example, if you're marketing a quick-service restaurant (QSR) franchise, knowing that your target demographic is primarily made up of millennials and Gen Z who value quick, affordable, and convenient meals can help you shape your messaging and select the right digital platforms for your campaign.

You might focus on promoting online ordering options, showcasing the speed of service, or highlighting budget-friendly deals. Social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok, known to be popular among these age groups, could be ideal for reaching this audience effectively.

example of demographic chart

The Significance of Demographics in Franchise Marketing

Understanding your audience's demographics can help you track the success of your marketing efforts. If you know your target demographic and track their engagement with your marketing campaigns, you can determine whether your efforts are reaching the intended audience and making an impact.

Here are several reasons why demographics are essential in digital marketing for franchises:

Precision in Targeting

One of the primary reasons demographics are integral to franchise-driven marketing is their ability to facilitate precise audience targeting. By analyzing demographic data, marketers can identify and concentrate on specific consumer groups more likely to show interest in their products or services.

This precision ensures that marketing resources are used efficiently, leading to higher conversion rates and an increased return on investment.

Tailored Messaging for Relevance

Understanding the demographics of a target audience empowers marketers to tailor their messages in a way that resonates with the specific characteristics of that group. Demographic segments may respond differently to various communication styles, imagery, and language.

Customizing marketing messages based on demographics enhances their relevance, making consumers feel more understood and increasing the likelihood of capturing their attention.

Informed Product Development

Demographic data is a guiding light in the product development process. Knowing the age, gender, income level, and other relevant characteristics of the target market allows businesses to design and refine products that align with the needs and preferences of that specific group. This enhances the product's appeal and increases the likelihood of its success in the market.

Strategic Market Segmentation

Market segmentation, a crucial aspect of marketing strategy, involves dividing a more significant market into distinct segments based on specific characteristics. Demographics are pivotal in this process, enabling marketers to create specialized plans for each strategy. This targeted approach ensures marketing efforts are more effectively tailored to each demographic group's unique attributes and preferences. 

Optimal Media Planning

Demographic information guides marketers in selecting the most appropriate channels for advertising. Different demographic groups may be more active on specific platforms or prefer certain media types. By understanding the demographics of their target audience, marketers can make informed decisions about where to allocate their resources, whether it be traditional media, digital channels, or a combination of both.

Efficient Budget Allocation

Knowledge of the demographics of the target audience enables marketers to allocate their budget more efficiently. By focusing resources on channels and strategies that are most likely to reach and resonate with specific demographic segments, businesses can maximize the impact of their marketing efforts within their budget constraints.

Measuring Success with Accuracy

Demographic data provides a powerful tool for evaluating the success of marketing campaigns. Marketers can analyze sales data, website traffic, and other metrics broken down by demographics to assess which segments are responding positively to their efforts. This data-driven approach allows for continuous optimization and refinement of marketing strategies based on real-time insights.

Anticipating Future Trends

Demographics serve as a crystal ball for marketers, offering insights into future trends and changes in consumer behavior. For instance, an aging population may indicate a growing market for products and services catering to older individuals. By staying attuned to demographic shifts, businesses can position themselves to capitalize on emerging opportunities and stay ahead in the competitive landscape.

How Integrated Digital Strategies (IDS) Uses Demographics in Digital Marketing for Franchises

At IDS, we effectively utilize demographic data to enhance our franchise strategies. Our professionals gather information about the audience's age, gender, location, and income level to tailor their content and campaigns.

For instance, if a significant segment of a client's audience comprises young urban professionals, we might focus our efforts on platforms that appeal to this target audience, like LinkedIn or X/Twitter. 

marketer review data

We also employ demographics for audience segmentation, crafting campaigns for various demographic groups. By comparing the demographics of those who engage with our franchise campaigns to the target audience, we can assess the success of these strategies. This allows our clients to make data-driven adjustments and improvements.

With over 30 years of experience assisting franchises in establishing a nationwide presence, we at IDS acknowledge that our success is closely linked with yours. That said, we aim to devise superior digital marketing demographic strategies that are long-term and also ensure a substantial return on your investment.

Our philosophy revolves around building lasting relationships with our clients, and by partnering with us, we can help you with the following services

Using demographics in marketing is not just a trend; it's a fundamental practice that empowers franchises to connect with their target audience on a deeper level.

From precision targeting and customized messaging to strategic segmentation and efficient resource allocation, demographics are the key to unlocking the full potential of marketing strategies!

Are you ready to elevate your franchise marketing strategy? Let IDS be your guide! Reach out to our team today!

Every business model adapts to new ways of reaching and engaging with their audience in the digital transformation era. The franchise business model is no exception. Franchise development marketing has seen a significant shift towards digital strategies, leveraging technology to ensure growth and profitability in the franchise space.

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Let’s keep it real - navigating the complex world of franchise digital marketing is no simple task: whether you're already an active franchisee or franchisor or considering stepping into the arena, there is substantial information to decipher and understand it. Let's explore what digital marketing in franchising looks like in the digital age and highlight the two types of franchise marketing.

What Exactly Is Franchise Marketing?

Franchise marketing involves the application of strategic marketing plans and tactics by both franchisors and franchisees, aiming to attract new customers and boost sales for their franchise establishment.

Franchise Marketing Strategy

Nowadays, virtually all franchise marketing has shifted to digital platforms. There are two primary branches of franchise marketing:

1. Operational Franchise Marketing

Operational franchise marketing comes into play once the franchise is established and aims to drive customer engagement, loyalty, and sales. This type of marketing is concerned with promoting the products or services offered by individual franchise locations and maintaining a positive brand image within local communities.

Key Components of Operational Franchise Marketing

2. Franchise Development Marketing

Franchise development marketing is a strategy to entice potential franchisees and broaden the franchise network. The essence of this approach is to sell the franchise opportunity to entrepreneurs interested in becoming franchise owners, with the ultimate aim of generating leads, fostering relationships, and converting qualified individuals into franchisees.

The Essential Elements of Franchise Development Marketing

A strong online presence is also a significant component of development marketing. This includes maintaining a user-friendly website that effectively communicates the advantages of becoming a franchisee and implementing SEO strategies to enhance online visibility.

social media reach and insight

Social media marketing is another powerful tool for reaching out to prospective franchisees. Franchisors can utilize various platforms to share their brand story, highlight successful franchisees, and interact with their audience. These platforms include but are not limited to:

What Is the Difference?

While essential to a franchise business's success, franchise development and operational franchise marketing have distinct differences. Firstly, they target different audiences: franchise development marketing aims to attract potential franchisees and entrepreneurs, while operational franchise marketing focuses on local customers to drive sales and build brand loyalty.

Secondly, their objectives vary. The goal of franchise development marketing is to expand the franchise network by drawing in and converting potential franchisees. In contrast, operational franchise marketing aims to increase sales, improve brand perception, and foster customer loyalty at the local level.

Lastly, their timing of implementation differs. Franchise development marketing primarily functions during the early stages of franchise growth when the search for new franchisees is underway. Operational franchise marketing becomes vital once the franchise locations are up and running, with a focus on continuous customer engagement and boosting local sales.

However, it's crucial to remember that this process follows pre-opening marketing and focuses on continuous customer engagement and driving local sales.

Empowering Franchise Success Through a Franchise Marketing Agency

Integrated Digital Strategies (IDS) is a premier franchise marketing agency that offers comprehensive digital marketing services to attract highly qualified franchisees. With a focus on building a robust online presence and leveraging data-driven decision-making, we provide solutions tailored to the unique needs of franchises.

Building a Strong Online Presence

At IDS, we understand the importance of a solid online presence in today's digital landscape. We pride ourselves on assisting franchises in creating user-friendly, visually appealing websites that serve as the brand's digital storefront.

These websites provide essential details about the franchise opportunity and serve as a platform for engaging content and customer testimonials, which can significantly boost the brand's credibility and appeal to potential franchisees.

Additionally, our franchise marketing agency uses social media platforms to connect brands directly with their target audience to amplify reach and target specific demographics and geographical areas.

Through compelling storytelling, showcasing success stories, and real-time engagement, we help franchises build a solid and interactive online community.

data driven growth

Data-Driven Decision Making

IDS leverages advanced analytics tools to provide invaluable insights into consumer behavior, allowing franchises to tailor their marketing strategies for maximum impact.

By understanding the demographics of potential franchisees and tracking the performance of online campaigns, IDS helps franchises implement data-driven strategies that enhance marketing efficiency.

Furthermore, our franchise marketing agency utilizes customer relationship management (CRM) systems to centralize and analyze data, enabling personalized communication with leads and existing franchisees.

This data-centric approach enhances marketing efficiency and provides a more personalized and seamless experience for individuals exploring franchise opportunities.

On an all-encompassing level, IDS offers full-service franchise digital marketing solutions that help franchises build a powerful online presence, make data-driven decisions, and ultimately attract highly qualified franchisees. We are committed to assisting franchise brands in achieving their digital marketing objectives. Our services include:

Franchise marketing in the digital age is about leveraging technology to reach a wider audience, engage with potential franchisees, and drive growth. By understanding the two types of franchise marketing and implementing effective digital strategies, franchisors can ensure the success of their franchise - and IDS is here to aid you in soaring to new heights!

Partner with IDS and allow our team to partner with you in achieving your franchise marketing goals. Contact us today!

If you’ve given artificial intelligence (AI) tools a test run, you’ve probably quickly figured out that while this technology is incredible, it’s not quite ready to take over the world. Yet.

But the truth is, like all sectors of the industry, AI in digital marketing will continue to evolve and become more sophisticated. As AI technology continues to advance, the way search engines operate and how businesses optimize their online presence is changing. Search engine optimization (SEO) professionals will have to adapt, and luckily for them, there are already many ways to integrate AI tools into their digital marketing strategies.

Poised to revolutionize the future of SEO, AI is already making an impact. Businesses will benefit from having a more accurate, personalized, and efficient SEO strategy for their digital marketing campaigns. AI-powered tools, such as enhanced user experience and predictive SEO, offer various ways to process search results at a rate beyond human capability, thereby transforming the search landscape.

At IDS, we know our clients have a unique set of digital marketing needs, and we have years of experience helping our clients target their audiences through SEO.

Our team of SEO experts utilizes a variety of tools to implement robust franchise search engine optimization and create long-lasting, healthy rankings. We’re staying ahead of this ever-changing market to bring our clients the best strategies for their specific requirements.

ai in digital marketing

Integrating AI in SEO and Digital Marketing for Franchises

In an ever-changing digital landscape, the integration of AI in SEO is becoming increasingly important in digital marketing for franchises while shaping the future of search and online visibility. With the release of more AI tools, there are many new ways for SEO professionals to integrate AI technology into their campaigns.

Harnessing the benefits that come with using AI can help businesses stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive. As part of a franchise digital marketing campaign, SEO professionals can assist businesses in attracting more prospective candidates by delivering an engaging user experience and adapting their strategies with the power of AI.

Some of the ways AI is being used to enhance SEO strategies include:

Search Algorithms

Search engines rely on algorithms to crawl, index, and rank web pages for relevance and authority. By using AI-powered algorithms, users have the potential to improve processes and make search results more accurate, personalized, and efficient.

Google’s RankBrain uses AI integration in search algorithms to better understand user behaviors and provide more relevant search results. It’s expected that more search engines will adopt similar technologies as AI becomes more advanced.

Keyword Research and Content

Two crucial components of SEO are keyword research and content optimization, which help connect users to the information they’re searching for. SEO professionals can utilize AI to automate and improve tasks with keyword research to understand relationships between keywords, identify search trends, and predict user behavior.

In terms of optimization, AI-powered tools can assist with ensuring content is relevant and engaging by analyzing user behavior to determine the best-performing content and offer recommendations to improve it. AI is also capable of generating meta tags, headings, and other on-page elements for SEO success.

User Experience

Search engines prioritize websites that provide a seamless experience for their users, making user experience a critical component of SEO strategy. Through the use of AI, SEO professionals can analyze user behavior data, identify areas of improvement, and suggest personalized content to improve user experience.

Predictive SEO

Predictive SEO can help businesses anticipate changes and adapt their SEO strategies accordingly by forecasting future trends, user behavior, and search engine algorithm updates. Using predictive SEO can help businesses identify trending topics, create content that speaks to the target audience, detect potential algorithm updates, and adjust strategies.

Voice Search

As more users utilize virtual assistants to conduct searches, voice search queries are becoming an essential aspect of SEO strategy. By focusing on natural language processing and long-tail keywords, AI can help professionals analyze voice search queries, understand user intent, and provide insights to optimize voice search strategies.

Visual Search

Like voice search queries, visual search queries are increasing as they enable users to search for products and information by using images instead of text. In addition to optimizing images with relevant metadata, AI-powered image recognition technology can make it easier for search engines to analyze, understand, and index visual content to improve the chances of ranking in visual search results by identifying objects within images.

Comparing SEO Rankings of AI-Generated Content vs. Human-Produced Content

With more businesses adopting AI technology into their marketing campaigns, there’s been debate as to the level of impact these tools have on SEO strategies. As SEO professionals look to increase the use of AI tools in their on-site content campaigns, they need to research and test if this technology will help or hurt their marketing efforts.

In an interesting experiment, Reboot sought to answer the question: Will Google rank AI-generated content better or worse than content produced by human writers?

Over a three-month controlled SEO experiment, the company tested whether there were any differences in rankings between AI- and human-generated content. The team hypothesized that with a controlled environment, these two types of content would perform equally, as it’s unclear if AI-generated content would impact rankings.

The uncertainty element of this hypothesis comes from ambiguity within Google’s guidelines. While using AI tools to generate content isn’t against the guidelines, it’s unclear if Google can determine whether the content is written by a machine or a human.

With their hypothesis ready, the Reboot team planned their methodology to isolate other ranking factors as they tested their independent variable (in this case, isolating the use of AI-generated content). They began by selecting a test artificial keyword to remove the risk of introducing outside ranking factors, settling on “flemparooni.” Since the keyword was unknown to search engines before the experiment, it returned no content in Google’s index.

Then, the team drafted domain names that consisted of made-up words to remove domain-level ranking factors from impacting the experiment’s results. They researched each domain name to confirm there were no historic ranking signals, no previously published websites on any of the domains, and none with external backlinks. Once it was confirmed that none of the domains were known to search engines, the experiment was ready to begin.

Reboot then created content with set guidelines, ran the content through multiple online AI content detection tools, published the test websites, and tracked the rankings. The experiment was run with a total of 10 test domains: five that contained AI-generated content and five that contained human-produced content.

With no outside factors influencing the perceived quality of a given website, the team analyzed the rank-tracking data and found that the human-produced content ranked better than the AI-generated content.

While it’s unclear how Google was able to identify the AI-generated content and factor that into their rankings, new technology is bringing more considerations to search results and processes for SEO professionals.

IDS content department working

Human-Produced Content and The E-E-A-T Principle

As we consider the SEO implications of using human- versus AI-generated content, it’s also important to discuss that experiments like Reboot’s illustrate the efficacy of Google’s helpful content update. The update aims to reward more original, helpful, human-produced content in search results and ensure users see less content created primarily for search engine traffic.

In Google’s September 14, 2023, helpful content system update, several changes were made to Google’s site evaluations. These changes included factoring in subdomain content when evaluating the overall site helpfulness, a clearer focus on author expertise, and more possible designation for AI-generated content, dates, and whether content has been added or removed.

The goal of these updates is to make the user aware of all facets of the search results they’re being provided to get the most accurate information to answer their query. This all ties into Google’s larger updates in general, as the goal is to reward human-generated, truly helpful content.

To meet the new guidelines for helpful content update, to ensure your content reaches your target audience, and to rank higher in Google search results, businesses should consider improving their site’s E-E-A-T.

E-E-A-T stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Since 2013, the acronym has served as a part of Google’s guidelines for search quality content, and until December 2022, the acronym, previously E-A-T, was missing the “Experience” element.

Here’s how Google Quality Raters evaluate your site for each of the components:

Writing content for a website

How to Improve Your Site’s E-E-A-T

While it’s not a direct ranking factor, E-E-A-T is an important concept in SEO as Google aims to better serve results with these characteristics. Additionally, high E-E-A-T can improve user trust and lead to more conversions on your site.

If you’re looking to improve your site’s E-E-A-T, you won’t need to overhaul your entire SEO strategy; rather, here are some ideas you’ll want to consider:

1. Producing High-Quality, People-First Content

Having high-quality content that is original, helpful to users, and written by people, for people is the best place to start. Your site’s content should answer questions, provide advice, and leave the reader feeling they are equipped with the information they need. You can do this by auditing your content for relevancy and adding new content.

2. Providing Author Information and Transparency

To establish credibility across the E-E-A-T principle, you’ll want to provide transparency for your site. Since Quality Raters look to see if the writer is a legitimate source of information, you’ll want to have an About Us page as well as individual author pages for each specific writer.

3. Using Credible Sources

As a general rule, writers should always cite their sources, and linking to trusted sources can establish credibility. This can include official sources like studies, research papers, academic databases, news publications, and more.

4. Protecting Your Brand’s Reputation

Online reputation can impact your brand’s trustworthiness when it comes to content and your overall site. Reputation management is crucial for E-E-A-T, so be sure to respond promptly and professionally to negative reviews or press.

5. Monitoring User-Generated Content

User-generated content (UGC) is content that’s created by consumers or users instead of the company. UGC can signal trustworthiness and establish brand loyalty through images, video testimonials, product reviews, blog posts, and more.

Need Specialized Franchise SEO Strategies?

The experts at IDS can help you reach your digital marketing goals with specialized SEO strategies for franchise brands. Our variety of franchise search engine optimization services and other franchise marketing services can help you reap the benefits of AI in digital marketing and find the qualified leads you’ve been looking for.

To learn more about how IDS can help your business with a specialized digital marketing campaign, get in touch with a member of our team today!

At IDS, we stay current on industry trends, with every member of our team following the latest in their areas of expertise. We regularly host company-wide meetings so all departments can come together to discuss topics of interest relative to the prevailing zeitgeist.

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The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in digital marketing has become a hot topic of discourse, generating informative and passionate discussions surrounding its usage and implications.

The Rise of AI

When ChatGPT was launched in November 2022, the large language model-based AI chatbot immediately caught the attention of the masses.

Within weeks, consumers began sharing their experiences with ChatGPT, with accounts spanning the spectrum of possibilities, from increasing productivity at work to generating health and wellness routines and everything in between. The sudden influx of AI-generated applications started reshaping how businesses operate, affording companies numerous financial and productivity benefits, while creating exciting discussions about how the technology could continue augmenting human work for the foreseeable future.

In the first few months of its existence, ChatGPT has shown us its value as a gateway to endless online information, offering users a platform for piloting new tools, creating content faster and more efficiently, providing a boost for coders, and even diagnosing a child’s chronic disease when doctors were otherwise stumped. The tool’s performance thus far is a testament to its incredible computing power.

The positive possibilities seemed endless, with ChatGPT regarded as an overnight success. That is until more users began sharing their experiences with the tool, and its widespread use started conversations that conveyed an increasing number of clearer and, quite frankly, scarier considerations. These concerns caused a wave of panic about how this new technology could impact labor displacement in virtually every industry, fuel a maelstrom of misinformation, and set the stage for cyberattacks and fraud. Now, seemingly, hardly a day goes by without someone expressing concerns about AI taking over the world.

ai franchise marketing strategy

Common Questions We Are Asked About AI

In recent meetings at IDS, we’ve discussed how clients have been approaching our team members with questions about the use of AI, and we’re answering those queries in this blog, from the benefits of AI in digital marketing to why you don’t want 100 AI-generated blog posts.

What is artificial intelligence, and how does it work?

Artificial intelligence is a technology that utilizes computer science and datasets to perform functions normally associated with human intelligence. As Encyclopedia Britannica defines it:

“Artificial intelligence is the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings. The term is frequently applied to the project of developing systems endowed with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize, or learn from past experience.”

AI tools like ChatGPT enable users to interact with the chatbot conversationally, with the interface generating content based on length, format, style, level of detail, and language prompts from the user.

ChatGPT is hardly alone as an AI chatbot. Since its release, several other generative artificial intelligence chatbot technologies have also been developed and released, each with unique functions, capabilities, and datasets.

How can AI benefit my franchise, business or organization?

AI offers a myriad of advantages to businesses, including the ability to make more accurate, data-driven decisions; provide efficiency, productivity, and profitability gains; improve services; increase the speed of business; fuel innovation and expansion efforts; create personalized customer services and experiences; enhance monitoring capabilities; reduce human errors; better manage talent; offer industry-specific improvements, and more.

Does your digital marketing agency use AI?

Yes! We believe in being transparent in our methods, and most of us interact with AI every day. Departments across the company use AI tools to better analyze our clients’ data and provide them with impactful and integrated strategies to improve their performance.

Here are some of the ways our team uses AI in the workplace:

But what about my content?

The content team employs a conservative approach in utilizing AI tools, as we believe that the best content is human-generated content. Through thorough research and testing, we’ve found processes that can be improved with AI and use it sparingly. We are big believers that humans are still very much integral to the process of creating engaging, accurate, and valuable content for your audience, so our agency never uses content that is 100% AI-generated.

How can we use this?

AI can be used to enhance employee productivity, time management, and task automation. The suitability of AI for your specific situation depends on several factors, like the type of content, quality and context requirements, and project goals. AI-generated content can be used in a variety of ways, including blog posts, articles, product descriptions, or social media posts.

Here are some applications where AI-generated content excels: structured data and reports, natural language generation, translation, chatbots and virtual assistants, data analysis and insights, repetitive tasks, and multilingual content.

Why wouldn’t someone want to use AI?

While AI offers many potential benefits, it also comes with a unique set of challenges and concerns. Some reasons why someone might hesitate to use AI include privacy concerns, bias and fairness considerations, lack of transparency, job displacement, ethical concerns, technical limitations, cost and resource constraints, security risks, regulatory and legal issues, and resistance to change.

It’s important to note that these concerns don’t apply universally to all AI applications, as the appropriateness of using these tools depends on the specific use case. If you employ AI, you’ll need to address these concerns through responsible AI development and deployment practices. We have experienced instances where clients do not want AI-generated content published on their websites and we respect their decision.

Can’t you just generate 100 franchise marketing blog posts and add them to our site?

Well, yes – in theory – but also no. While AI-generated content can be a useful tool to augment your content strategy, it shouldn’t be the sole source of your blog posts. The best approach to adopting these tools is finding a balance that combines AI assistance with human creativity, expertise, and quality control.

Here are ten reasons why you don’t want 100 AI-generated blog posts:

  1. It’s not very nuanced. We know and understand our clients’ preferences better than computers do and craft content tailored to your specific audience. AI tools may only partially capture the nuances of certain topics, leading to shallow or incorrect interpretations. Human writers genuinely captivate readers by creating relatable content that speaks to their audience’s needs, concerns, and interests.
  2. It can damage your brand image and trust. Relying too heavily on AI-generated content can affect your brand’s image and trustworthiness if readers perceive your content as low-quality, impersonal, or robotic.
  3. It lacks creativity. AI-generated content is constrained by algorithms and data and often lacks the creative spark and unique perspective human writers bring to their work. AI tools may struggle to provide fresh perspectives, opinions, or creative insights on a topic, resulting in bland and repetitive content that fails to engage readers.
  4. There are issues with sources and inaccuracies. AI tools are not infallible and can produce inaccurate or information that is not current, whereas human writers can ensure the accuracy of their content by fact-checking and verifying information. Sourced information in AI can be outdated as tools may only have a knowledge base up to 2021, or may exclude sources altogether for statistical data.
  5. It can generate unoriginal content. Sometimes, AI tools can inadvertently replicate existing content on the internet, leading to issues with plagiarism and duplicate content. This can harm your website’s SEO and reputation.
  6. It can affect your SEO. With the Helpful Content Update, Google increasingly prioritizes and rewards high-quality, original, and authoritative content (more on that below). AI-generated content may not meet these criteria and potentially impact your website’s search engine ranking.
  7. There are ethical concerns to consider. Not everyone embraces AI-generated content, and using AI to create content without proper attribution or disclosure may raise ethical issues, as readers may not be aware that the content is machine-generated.
  8. It might not be current. AI tools might not always produce content that’s up-to-date or relevant to current events and trends. Human writers can adapt and respond to changing circumstances more effectively.
  9. It requires editing and polishing. AI-generated content can feel robotic and disengage the audience and, as a result, require significant editing and revision to meet quality standards. Human writers can provide content with a personal touch, a relatable human voice, and closer to the desired final product.
  10. It takes time. While the process of generating content with AI is relatively quick, the time you’ll spend reviewing 100 blogs defeats any efficiency and productivity benefits. Plus, realistically, who has the time?

ten reasons why youdont want 100% ai generated blogs

Can AI-generated content replace human writers entirely, or is there a need for human involvement in the content creation process?

AI cannot replace our writers, but, instead, can enhance their abilities and efforts. Combining AI-generated content with human insight and creativity can often yield the best results, striking a balance between efficiency and quality while maintaining ethical standards and authenticity.

As one IDS team member put it, “The key is to maintain a human touch. As long as we shape what AI produces into something meaningful for our audiences, these technologies can help us spread ideas and touch people's lives. AI may quicken the process, but human empathy, purpose, and compassion will always be irreplaceable ingredients in content that truly matters.”

With the ability to instantly generate ideas, we can create content and drive progress faster than ever before. AI is only as smart as you make it though; it’s important to develop very specific prompts when working with AI to ensure the most effective outcome.

Can you trust AI’s marketing tools?

Trust in AI tools is a complex and multifaceted issue that depends on various factors. It's important to critically evaluate AI tools based on their transparency, data, algorithms, ethical considerations, and the context in which they are being applied. Building trust in AI requires a multidisciplinary approach involving technology, ethics, regulation, and education. More and more articles note when an article is AI-generated and whether or not human editors have reviewed it. This bolsters transparency and can make your site more credible.

One important element to consider when publishing AI-generated content is that it is never truly yours and, therefore, cannot be copyrighted. Many organizations can’t use AI because they can’t be licensed or copyrighted with content that AI generates.

While AI can do much for our clients, it cannot produce what humans can. AI should support your digital advertising strategy, not be your entire strategy. At the end of the day, you want an expert team like IDS to help you understand the impact of AI on franchise digital marketing.

Are you interested in learning more about how IDS can help your franchise business navigate AI in digital marketing? Get in touch with a member of our team today!

Growth. It’s what every parent wants for their children, and what every franchise digital marketing agency wants for itself. Ten years ago, Integrated Digital Strategies (IDS) started as an idea on a shoestring, setting up shop in three rooms where a handful of hardworking people dedicated themselves to the digital marketing needs of a dozen clients.

Today, we’re a global team of nearly 100 fully remote experts who excel at what we do - writers, marketers, designers, and more - all of whom strive to meet the needs of the 70 brands we service every day. 

 Our growth, our commitment to our clients, and our belief in our team means we’ve earned some recognition over the years, and today, we’re exceptionally proud to announce that IDS has made the 2023 Inc. 5000 list, a nationally recognized compilation of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

Integrated Digital Strategies INC 5000

Making this roster required us to meet stringent criteria, including a minimum percentage of revenue growth between 2019 and 2022.

Our franchise marketing company has been committed to the needs of our clients from day one, and that dedication has allowed us to grow in impressive ways, as we fine-tune our franchise development marketing to help each client achieve their unique goals.

It Takes a Village

As proud as we are of the recognition our agency has received over the years, we know two things: It’s not a given, and it’s the result of the many, not the few. It’s no coincidence that the success IDS has enjoyed has come as our company has added more and more talented and dedicated individuals to our team, allowing us to achieve more for ourselves and our clients.

IDS Orlando Offices - Joseph Mohay, Kevin White, Brent Nau, Carlos Rosado

We’ve invested in human resources because we know it’s an important part of who we are and how we grow. They say it takes a village, and at IDS, we know that better than most. 

As a full-service boutique digital marketing agency that specializes in franchise development, we help both big and small brands reach their full potential. To do that, we rely on a team made up of US members in Texas, Florida, Connecticut, Maryland, and Massachusetts, and international members in South Africa, Prague, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and the Philippines.

And while we might be scattered across the globe, we act as a single entity, working together to set standards, reach goals, and support not just our clients, but each other. 

South African IDS Team

The Benefits of a Global Approach

Leading a global team is extremely rewarding and comes with important benefits we wouldn’t otherwise enjoy. We’ve learned to fine-tune communication and cooperation to accommodate something as basic as different time zones or as nuanced as language or cultural differences.

This kind of flexibility and responsiveness is something we’re able to offer our clients as well, as we strategize to help them grow their brands and adapt their digital marketing campaigns to meet their changing needs.

The fact is, the IDS team benefits from each member’s life experiences, skills, and perspective; it’s what has allowed us to develop better business strategies and solutions for ourselves and for our clients - and studies bear out that fact. The more diverse a company is in terms of gender, ethnicity, and culture, the better able it is to outperform businesses with a less inclusive approach.

International teams are far more likely to collaborate, and because members work in different time zones, they can tackle tasks around the clock for quicker turnaround times and increased productivity.

We believe - no, we know - the expert services we can provide our brands are a result of the breadth of experiences each member of the IDS team brings - knowledge they use to exceed our clients’ expectations every day.

A Suite of Services

The IDS team provides a robust suite of online marketing solutions for franchise and multi-location businesses, considering the needs of clients to find the best mix of products and services to help them grow. We can help your brand reach its best customers through the following: 

 We are ready to help you and your brand reach its fullest potential by exploring new avenues for growth. Reach out to IDS’ hardworking team today to find out what our franchise digital marketing agency can do for you!

In today's digital age, social media has emerged as a game-changer for businesses, including franchises. With billions of active users across various platforms, franchise social media marketing provides an incredible platform to engage with existing customers, attract new ones, and build a strong online community around your brand.

Table of Contents

However, navigating the world of social media marketing for franchises can be daunting, especially for owners who may lack experience in this realm. In this step-by-step guide, Integrated Digital Strategies (IDS) will walk you through harnessing the power of online communities for your franchise through effective social media marketing, by among other tactics, recommending social media posting tips for businesses like yours.

The Power of Social Media Marketing

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn have billions of active users. These platforms are not just about connecting with friends and family anymore; they have evolved into powerful marketing tools. As a business owner, you can reach a vast audience, engage with your customers, and even provide customer service through these platforms.

For franchises, this means an opportunity to get potential franchisees and customers on a global scale. Social media marketing for franchises provides unique advantages and opportunities for growth in the digital age, such as:

Establishing a Digital Advertising Presence

Creating a solid digital presence is one of the first steps in transforming your franchise business through social media marketing.

By building profiles on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and others you can create a dynamic online hub where you can interact with existing customers and attract new ones.

An active and consistent presence on social media enhances brand credibility and sets the foundation for future growth.

Engaging with Customers in Real Time

Unlike traditional marketing channels, social media facilitates real-time communication with customers. Franchise owners can promptly respond to inquiries, comments, and reviews, showing customers their voices are heard and valued.

Engaging with customers on social media humanizes the brand and builds trust, leading to loyal and satisfied customers who are more likely to advocate for your business.

Targeted Advertising for Maximum Impact

Social media platforms offer powerful advertising tools that allow franchisors to tailor their messages to specific demographics and geographic locations. This targeted approach ensures that marketing efforts reach the right audience, maximizing the impact of each campaign.

By utilizing look-alike audiences, franchises can take this precision targeting a step further, identifying and engaging with potential customers who exhibit similar characteristics and behaviors that mirror their existing customer base. For franchisors, a lead generation campaign can increase in value as you identify similarities in the quality leads coming in over time, providing further insights to improve the targeting.

social media for franchises

Fostering Brand Advocacy

Social media marketing can unleash the power of brand advocacy. Satisfied customers who have positive experiences with the franchise can share their stories on social media, generating organic word-of-mouth marketing.

User-generated content, such as photos, videos, and reviews, can significantly influence potential customers and create a sense of authenticity around the brand.

Leveraging Social Listening and Insights

Social media provides a treasure trove of data and insights about customer preferences, trends, and competitors. Franchises can use social listening tools to monitor conversations related to their brand and industry, gaining valuable feedback and sentiment analysis.

By analyzing this data, you can make informed decisions, improve your products and services, and tailor your marketing strategies for greater effectiveness.

social media reach and insight

Expanding Market Reach

Franchise social media marketing breaks down geographical barriers and opens doors to new markets. Through engaging content and targeted advertising, franchises can reach potential customers beyond their local areas, paving the way for expansion and growth.

Social media's global reach allows franchises to explore international markets and take advantage of a broader customer base.

How IDS Can Help Franchise Brands Reach Their Digital Marketing Goals

At IDS, we play a crucial role in helping franchises establish a robust digital presence. We provide an array of services to help them achieve their digital marketing goals through:

Effective social media marketing strategies can be a game-changer for franchises seeking to dominate the digital landscape. Staying abreast of digital marketing trends and best practices, IDS equips franchises with innovative strategies and advanced techniques to stay competitive.

Our valuable franchise digital marketing techniques have the potential to be a transformative force, revolutionizing the way franchises connect with their audience and grow their businesses.

Digital domination is not just a concept but a tangible reality that can elevate franchises to stand out from the competition and achieve remarkable success in the digital era. So, seize the opportunity, embrace franchise social media marketing, and embark on a journey toward digital domination for your business.

By establishing a robust digital presence, engaging with customers in real-time, leveraging targeted advertising, fostering brand advocacy, and analyzing valuable insights, IDS can empower you to unlock the true potential of social media marketing!

With our expertise and data-driven approach, we will assist you in creating personalized strategies that resonate with your audience, building a loyal customer base, and driving business growth. Through our comprehensive services and continuous support, your franchise can take full advantage of the digital landscape and stay ahead in today's competitive market.

Contact IDS today and allow our team to partner with you in achieving social media marketing success, propelling your business to new heights of digital advertising domination!

Contact IDS!

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