How to find the right franchise manager for your business

Grace Cole, managing director of Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries, shares her thoughts on what makes a standout franchise manager

When it comes to running a successful franchise, having the right manager in place can make all the difference. The right person doesn’t just keep the wheels turning; they drive growth, inspire their team and uphold the values that define your brand.

Whether you’re a franchisor looking to protect your brand’s reputation or a multi-unit franchisee needing someone to oversee day-to-day operations, finding the right fit is essential.

The right fit

Firstly, it’s important to establish that not every franchise needs the same style of leadership. Some might benefit from a strategic, corporate-style approach, while others need a more hands-on leader who thrives in the day-to-day detail. The important thing is to know exactly what your business needs before you start your search.

Are you after someone who can scale the business? Someone to uphold the brand’s reputation? Or perhaps someone to handle daily operations with care and precision? Being clear on your expectations from the outset will help you find someone who can really deliver.

When we launched Monkey Puzzle Lightwater, we knew we had to get the right manager on board. This wasn’t just about having the right qualifications – we needed someone with strong leadership skills, a passion for early years education, and a commitment to delivering quality at every level.

That’s where Scott Humphrey came in. With nearly two decades of experience in early years education, Scott is deeply devoted to excellence in childcare. He brought with him a wealth of knowledge, people skills and the ability to manage, and, of course, a genuine enthusiasm for helping children thrive. Under his leadership, our Lightwater nursery is not only a place where children feel safe and happy, but also somewhere staff feel supported and valued.

Of course, experience counts – but it’s not everything. A great manager also needs to be adaptable, solution-focused and able to bring out the best in their team. They need to be aligned with your values and able to respond to challenges while keeping the customer – or in the case of Monkey Puzzle, the children and their families – at the heart of every decision.

Scott’s impressive track record, including multiple Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ settings, speaks for itself. But what really sets him apart is his ability to create environments where everyone – from staff to families – feel at home.

Beyond skills and experience, the cultural fit is key. Your ideal manager should share your vision and values and be able to lead in a way that reflects the heart of your brand. At Monkey Puzzle, we’re big believers in a holistic approach to learning and building strong ties with the local communities in which our settings are located. Scott, for example, is a qualified forest school leader – and his enthusiasm for innovative, community-led education shines through everything he does.

Provide support

Even the best managers need support to succeed. That’s why it’s vital to offer a structured onboarding process, ongoing training and regular feedback. Clear communication and leadership development opportunities are what help a good manager become a great one.

In the run-up to opening Monkey Puzzle Lightwater, our team worked closely with Scott and the nursery team to ensure they had the resources and support needed to maintain our high standards. This kind of collaboration sets the tone for success – not just at launch, but for the long term.

At the end of the day, hiring the right manager is about more than just ticking boxes. It’s about finding someone who leads with passion, fits your culture and is dedicated to making a real difference. If you take the time to get that decision right, you’re setting your business up for stability, growth and success that lasts.

Because a great franchise manager doesn’t just manage – they lead, inspire and help your business reach its full potential.