Welcome to Franchise Now AI Radio, the podcast where franchising meets the future. I’m your host, Gemma, and every week we explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way franchise brands grow, market, and lead. Whether you’re a franchisor, franchisee, or just AI-curious, we’re here to break down the tools, trends, and transformations that are driving smarter, more scalable growth. And of course, I’m joined by my co-host and AI strategist, Rob Gandley, as we dive into today’s conversation, Discovery Day. For anyone listening who’s unfamiliar, this is kind of... like the moment of truth, right? It’s where prospective franchisees meet the brand, see the operations up close, and decide, "Do I wanna invest?"Exactly. Discovery Day is basically the final step before a prospect makes what is often one of the biggest financial commitments of their life. It’s where everything comes together—the brand’s story, values, financials, even the culture. And it’s an incredibly high-stakes moment.High-stakes is definitely the right word for it. I mean, if you get it wrong, that could be the end of the conversation, right?Absolutely, and honestly, a lot of brands do get it wrong—not during Discovery Day itself but after. See, the problem isn’t necessarily the event; it’s what happens in the days following. Prospects can leave excited, but if there’s no structured follow-up... that excitement fades fast.Right, it’s like you’ve just spent all this time and effort to get them there, and then... silence. No follow-up, no momentum—it’s almost like ghosting, just flipped.Exactly. And that’s the challenge: franchisors don’t always have the tools or processes to keep that momentum going. And in today’s world—where attention spans are short and competition for franchisees is fierce—losing that momentum usually means losing the deal.So, it’s not just about making a great impression during Discovery Day but making sure that impression sticks afterward, right?Exactly right. That’s where the real opportunity is ensuring the excitement, doesn’t fade the moment they walk out the door. And here’s the thing: prospects aren’t just assessing you during the day itself; they’re judging how you handle those next steps, too. A strong follow up process can be the deciding factor.It’s a huge deal. So, let’s talk about what’s going wrong and how to fix it...So, we’ve nailed down how critical those post-Discovery Day steps are. Now, let’s talk solutions—how can AI really make a difference in keeping that momentum alive?Great question. AI is a game-changer here because it removes the guesswork and ensures no prospect slips through the cracks. It can automate follow-ups in a way that’s not only efficient but also highly personalized.Personalized? Like, how personalized are we talking here?Very personalized. AI tools can capture what the prospect experienced during Discovery Day—their questions, their interests—then automatically create follow-up messages tailored to that experience. For instance, if someone was really focused on operational details or marketing support, the follow-up could highlight those specific aspects.Oh, so it’s not just generic "Thanks for coming!" emails?Exactly. And that’s what makes it so effective. A standardized message won’t resonate or drive action, but personalized AI messaging? That feels like a conversation is still happening. Prospects stay engaged because you’re talking to their specific needs.Got it. So, walk me through what this could look like—what kind of follow-up sequence are we talking about here?It can be super simple yet powerful. Imagine a three-message sequence: the first one goes out within hours—maybe even minutes—after Discovery Day, and it’s a warm thank-you combined with a recap of what they experienced or key points they discussed.Okay, that timing makes sense. You catch them while they’re still in that post-event buzz.Exactly. Then the second message can dive a little deeper, maybe a day or two later. It could answer common follow-up questions, address any reservations they might have hinted at during Discovery Day, and include helpful links or insights tailored just for them.And the third?The third message—let’s say three to five days out is the nudge. This one focuses on prompting a specific action, like scheduling the next meeting or starting the application process. It keeps the momentum going and gives them a clear next step.That’s... actually really smart. So, instead of overwhelming them, you’re kind of guiding them forward, step by step.Exactly. And each step reinforces their initial excitement without being pushy. Plus, because the messages are tailored, they feel relevant and meaningful. That’s what builds trust and keeps the conversation alive.Right, and it sounds like AI takes a lot of the logistical stress off the franchisor’s plate, too. They don’t have to individually manage every follow-up.Absolutely. The AI handles the heavy lifting so that franchisors can focus on high-value interactions while still nurturing those leads effectively. And the best part? These tools give you real-time insights into how prospects are engaging with your follow-ups. You know who’s still interested and who might need extra attention.Wait, so you’re saying it can track responses, too?It sure can. Things like whether they opened the email, clicked a link, or responded, it all feeds back into the system. So, you don’t just maintain engagement; you also know exactly where each prospect stands in the process.That’s a game-changer for sure. And honestly, it sounds way less stressful than manually keeping tabs on every single lead...So, it’s clear how much AI can simplify and enhance follow-ups—removing stress for franchisors and keeping prospects engaged. Now, let’s dive into the practical side. For a franchisor listening right now, what’s the first step they should take to start implementing AI follow-ups?The first step is to start simple. You don’t need to overhaul everything at once. Look for an AI tool or platform that integrates with your existing CRM. That way, you’re building on a foundation you already have rather than starting from scratch.Okay, but what if they’re not exactly tech-savvy? I mean, not everyone has a background in AI, right?Good point. And honestly, today’s tools are designed with that in mind. Many of them come with pre-built workflows or templates for follow-ups. You can tweak them based on your needs—no coding required. Plus, most providers offer onboarding support to help you get set up.Oh, that sounds way less intimidating. So, once they’ve chosen a tool, what’s next?Next, set up your follow-up sequence. Start with that three-message framework we talked about earlier: your thank-you message, your deeper dive, and your call-to-action nudge. The key is timing and personalization—make sure each message feels like a continuation of your Discovery Day conversation.And how long does something like that take to set up? Are we talking weeks, months?Not at all. With the right tools, you could have a basic sequence up and running in a matter of days. The longest part is collecting the insights from Discovery Day to personalize the content—but even that gets easier once you’ve done it a couple of times.Days? That’s... honestly, quicker than I expected. So, there really aren’t any excuses for sitting on this.Exactly. It’s about taking action sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the more leads you risk losing. And with AI, it’s not just about efficiency—it’s about showing prospects that you value their time and interests.I love that. It’s like you’re saying, "We hear you, and we’re on it."Exactly right. And by doing that, you’re creating a stronger connection, which is what leads to conversions. It’s really becomes a win-win.Alright, Rob. I think we’ve given our listeners a lot to think about—and act on. Any final words of wisdom for franchisors dipping their toes into AI?Just this: don’t overthink it. AI isn’t here to replace what you do—it’s here to amplify it. Start with small steps, see the impact, and build from there. The results will speak for themselves.Perfectly said. And on that note, we’ll wrap it up here. Thanks, Rob, for breaking it all down for us today—it’s been so insightful!Always a pleasure. Looking forward to next time!And thank you to our listeners for tuning in! Don’t forget to check out FranchiseNow.ai for more resources—and we’ll catch you next time on *Franchise Now AI Radio*.

How AI is Transforming Franchise Discovery Days

How AI is Transforming Franchise Discovery Days