Specifically, Colleen liked the healthy menu; the comfortable, casual vibe; and the uniqueness of a menu with 12 rotating daily soups. “Like Zoup!’s creators, I’ve always felt that really good soup is hard to find. When I saw how successfully they had tapped into that market niche, I knew they were on to something,” says Hopkins. “And, I knew I wanted to be part of it.”
In April 2011, Hopkins began serving Zoup!’s award-winning soup, salad and sandwiches at her Westlake, OH location. As for her lack of restaurant experience, she says it has actually been a good thing. “Zoup! has an excellent model and a thorough training plan. I honestly think that coming in as a clean slate – with no preconceived notions – made it easier for me to learn the right way to do things.”
Hopkins’ training, like all Zoup! franchise owners, began with a three-week visit to the company’s business offices where she spent time in a classroom setting and at nearby company-owned stores. In addition to the financial and operational “ins” and “outs” of running the business, Hopkins also had the opportunity to learn about – and experience first-hand – Zoup!’s unique culture, which is a cornerstone of the brand
and key to its success.
Colleen started her final phase of formal training when two company staff members arrived at her store for a 14-day stay. One week before and one week after the stores’ opening, they all worked together to train her employees, solve problems and do whatever it took to make the opening a success. “As good as the training is, nothing can prepare you for the craziness of those first weeks. Having trainers onsite, by my side, made all the difference in the world.”
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Upon returning home, she also arranged to work at a nearby location, where she found a strong mentor and got valuable experience. “Things really clicked for me when I saw how well the systems work in a real-world setting. Watching another franchise owner do the exact things I had been taught really bolstered my confidence as I continued to prepare for my store’s opening.”
Although her formal training is behind her, Hopkins says she still can count on help from Business Office team members. “Because of the size and structure of the company, I know exactly who to call if I have a question.” She also keeps in close touch with other franchisees and participates in company-sponsored annual meetings where owners exchange ideas and the Zoup! leadership team updates owners on new products, operations and marketing. For day-to-day communications, the company intranet provides a message board where franchise owners can ask questions, make announcements and share experiences.
As for Colleen’s experience and her decision to become a Zoup! franchise owner, she sums it up like this, “Any new business is going to require a lot of work, but I can honestly say that choosing Zoup! was absolutely the right thing for me. I couldn’t be happier!”
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