Why Text Messaging Services Are a Must-Have For Franchisors

When each franchise location relies on consistent messaging and fast execution, delays or miscommunication can impact customer experience and operational flow.

Without a simplified system, it becomes difficult to keep everyone aligned and ensure the right message reaches the right people at the perfect time.

That’s why text messaging services have become a must-have for franchise systems. They make it easy to launch system-wide updates while still giving franchisees room to send localized messages.

In this article, we’ll cover why text messaging services are essential for franchisors, the features to look for in a platform, and how SMS can support national campaigns and day-to-day operations.

What Are Text Messaging Services?

Texting service platforms help you send, receive, and manage all your messages through a web-based dashboard or app instead of using a personal phone.

These franchise communication tools are built for structure and growth, giving you features that support marketing, customer support, franchise operations, and internal team communication.

You can send two primary types of messages:

SMS (Short Message Service) allows you to send short, plain-text messages up to 160 characters. These are ideal for reminders, updates, or alerts. They load instantly and work on nearly all mobile devices.

MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) allows you to send images, videos, and longer text. If you’re promoting products or trying to share more detailed content, MMS messaging is a better fit.

These formats make it easy for you to communicate quickly, clearly, and directly with your contacts without the need for internet access on the recipient’s end.

Message Delivery Options

The number of your messages comes from matters. You can choose from different sending options depending on your goals.

Short Codes

A shortcode is a 5 to 6-digit code number often used for high-volume text campaigns. These numbers are recognized instantly and are commonly used in retail promotions, alerts, and voting campaigns. They’re approved by carriers, which means they’re less likely to get filtered or blocked.

If you’re using a mass texting service or sending thousands of messages a day, shortcodes help your brand stand out while meeting carrier guidelines.

However, shortcodes are more expensive and require time to register. You’ll also need to follow strict compliance rules, especially around opt-ins and content types.

Toll-Free Numbers

Toll-free numbers are another common option, especially for businesses that want a consistent contact point across phone and text. These numbers start with prefixes like 800 or 888 and are suitable for both texting and calling.

They’re good for customer service teams because they offer a single number for all types of contact. Toll-free numbers also support features like call forwarding, making it easier to manage communication flow.

Platforms like Textellent offer toll-free texting support, which helps you unify phone and message channels without needing separate systems.

10-Digit Long Codes (10DLC)

Local numbers, also known as 10-digit long codes or 10DLC, look like regular mobile numbers. These are useful when you want a personal feel and a more direct connection with your audience.

You can send messages that feel local and familiar, which is especially helpful if you run a small business and want to build community trust.

Long codes now require registration for A2P (Application-to-Person) messaging, which helps protect both the sender and receiver. While they support moderate message volumes, they are not intended for bulk blasts unless used through approved platforms.

How Effective is SMS Marketing for Franchisors? 

SMS marketing gives you a direct communication channel to franchisees and end customers who have willingly opted in to receive updates.

Unlike traditional marketing channels that rely on open platforms or broad targeting, texting allows you to connect with your audience one-on-one, using messaging that feels personal.

This direct access is valuable as you can design system-wide campaigns that roll out across multiple locations at the same time. It keeps every unit aligned on new promotions or seasonal campaigns.

At the same time, franchisees can use localized SMS efforts to connect with their customer base, sending store-specific updates or time-sensitive deals that drive foot traffic and engagement.

Industry research shows that SMS open rates can reach up to 98%. Almost everyone you message is seeing your content, compared to email’s typical open rate of 20 to 25%. With numbers like these, you don’t need to build a complicated funnel to get attention. The message gets through instantly.

Engagement rates also tell a similar story. Businesses that use SMS often see response rates between 30% and 45%, particularly when messages are personalized or connected to limited-time offers. These results are better than what you’d see through email marketing or paid ads.

How Franchisors Benefit from Text Messaging Services

Text messaging services give franchisors a powerful, scalable way to speed up communication across their network.

For growing franchise systems, it’s a low-effort, high-impact strategy that boosts customer satisfaction and guarantees your marketing stays up to date across all locations.

Lead Generation and Nurturing 

Mass text messaging is a great way to gather new leads. Franchisees can post a form on their site for inquiries. Adding an option for potential customers to include their mobile number and consent to receive SMS text messages is simple.

If needed, you could offer an incentive that if they agree to receive text messages, they will get “text-only” offers. Additionally, it’s easy to incorporate text-in keywords on marketing materials like door hangers, lawn signs, and online ads. 

You can start a conversation by encouraging prospects to text a keyword like “Join” for special discounts or trials. Then, you can use follow-up texts and drip campaigns to keep them engaged and nurture those leads. 

Optimal Reach 

SMS and MMS messaging allow your brand to send messages straight to customers who want to hear from you. 

With opt-in lists, you can personalize campaigns using buying history or location. The more relevant your messaging, the better your results.

This customized approach helps make their marketing more effective and leads to better conversion rates and sales. 

High Read and Response Rates 

One big perk of text message marketing is its effectiveness at grabbing people’s attention. With 98% of text messages being viewed and read within minutes of receipt, franchisors can rest assured that they reach their intended recipients. 

Customers are also more likely to reply to a text. Whether it’s to redeem a deal, leave a review, or respond to a survey, SMS gets quick responses. This makes it ideal for promotions, feedback, and fast actions when compared to phone calls or emails.

Unparalleled Customization 

Text marketing allows franchisors to create and distribute personalized marketing campaigns to every subscriber. Using customer data, messages can cater to individual preferences, enhancing customer experience. 

Whether it’s addressing customers by name, referencing past purchases, or sending personalized offers from the franchisees’ owners or staff, this level of customization adds a personal touch to the communications and fosters stronger connections with customers.

In addition, it is always recommended to add texting to the existing business phone numbers locally so that customers start to recognize that number when they receive texts.

Cost-effectiveness 

SMS marketing is a cost-effective marketing method, especially when compared to traditional forms of advertising such as print or television ads.

The low cost per message and high response rates mean that franchise owners can achieve a significant return on investment from their SMS marketing campaigns.

Also, SMS marketing eliminates the need for costs associated with other forms of outreach. This makes SMS marketing an attractive option for franchisors to offer franchisees that will maximize their marketing budget and generate measurable results.

Ease of Implementation 

Getting started with SMS is simple. You can share corporate-approved templates and media with franchisees and let them localize messages as needed. It’s easy to load contact segments and trigger campaigns quickly using an SMS gateway API or dashboard.

You can run franchise-wide promotions using a shared system, saving time and giving franchisees access to everything from scheduling to real-time tracking. 

Enhanced Customer Engagement 

SMS marketing allows instant customer communication that boosts engagement and interaction. 

Text messaging can be used to provide timely updates, exclusive offers, and personalized recommendations, keeping customers informed and involved to drive even more conversions.

These one-on-one conversations open the door for a real conversation, where customers can share their thoughts, questions, or feedback. Therefore, you can make your marketing even better and more in tune with what they want.

Increased Sales and Revenue 

The main goal of marketing is to drive sales and generate revenue. Text messages’ high read and response rates help franchisors directly promote deals and products, which encourages purchases. 

Also, by tracking key metrics such as conversion rates and ROI, franchisors can measure the success of their SMS marketing campaigns and make data-driven decisions to optimize future efforts for even greater results.

Compliance and Privacy 

With increasing regulations surrounding data privacy and consumer protection, as a franchisor, you must ensure that your SMS marketing campaign complies with relevant laws and regulations.

Fortunately, SMS marketing platforms help you stay compliant and protect customer privacy. These ensure explicit consent before messaging, offer opt-out options, and manage subscriptions to show commitment to customer preferences and legal standards. 

Textellent’s Franchisor Module offers additional compliance controls using sentiment analysis, cadence, volume controls, and more to ensure that individual franchisees don’t step outside the appropriate guidelines.

This protects the brand from any potential TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) violations.

Features Franchisors Should Look For in a Text Messaging Platform

Choosing the right platform for business text messaging means knowing which features help you move faster, support franchisees better, and stay consistent as you grow.

Two-Way Texting

You need to keep communication flowing, not just from HQ to franchisees, but also between franchisees and their customers.

The ability to manage replies and track incoming messages helps you resolve issues, confirm updates, and support local staff in real-time.

For your franchisees, it means handling customer conversations without missing key information. For you, it provides visibility into operational issues and opportunities across locations.

Two-way messaging is useful for resolving support issues, guiding new franchisees, or confirming the completion of time-sensitive initiatives.

Automation and Scheduled Campaigns

Franchise-wide updates, promos, and reminders are easier when you can automate them. Your system should let you use triggers and schedules to deliver recurring messages.

SMS scheduling is equally important. A good platform lets you schedule texts in advance or roll out recurring messages for compliance updates, internal check-ins, or reminders tied to national marketing calendars. 

This is how you maintain consistency without draining time from your field support team.

Contact Management and Message Volume

Growth means more data and more customers. Your platform should support unlimited contacts, letting you segment and target campaigns based on store location, behavior, or interest.

It should also allow franchisees to collect phone numbers locally while keeping those contacts organized inside segmented marketing lists.

Access from the Web and Mobile

Franchise teams aren’t always at a desk. That’s why it’s key to have full access via web apps and mobile apps. With support for Android apps, your field teams can check in, respond, and launch local campaigns wherever they are.

The platform’s user interface should be clean, intuitive, and simple enough for new franchisees to pick up quickly. If the system takes weeks to train on, it will create disruption. The best solutions work right out of the box and require minimal learning time.

MMS Messaging

Your marketing materials shouldn’t be limited to plain text. With MMS messaging, your franchisees can send pre-approved images, short videos, or branded content that you control at the corporate level.

It helps protect brand identity while also giving franchisees tools to run visual SMS campaigns that engage their local audience.

Phone and Call Support

Sometimes, customers reply to messages with a call instead of a text. 

Your system should include call forwarding so that those calls are routed to the individual store, a call center, or a centralized support line. It keeps your communication flow smooth and professional, with no dropped calls or confusion.

Built-In Tools for Growing Your Audience

Strong franchise marketing starts with a strong database. Your texting platform should offer marketing tools that help franchisees grow their local reach.

Features like QR codes for in-store materials, website popups for lead capture, and built-in sign-up forms let your units attract new subscribers without needing outside help.

All of these tools should connect to your campaign system, so there’s no need to juggle spreadsheets or re-upload contacts. That’s how you scale with consistency and keep your franchisees focused on selling, not managing lists.

Why Textellent Is a Top Choice for Franchise Communication

Franchise success depends on consistent communication across locations, strong brand control, and efficient lead and customer follow-up. Textellent addresses these needs.

Built for scale and with multi-location operations in mind, this all-in-one solution offers a comprehensive suite of features under a powerful business text messaging service designed for franchise systems.

Central Control with Franchise-Level Flexibility

Textellent gives your headquarters full visibility and control over communication without restricting franchisees from engaging locally. Your team can deploy brand-approved messaging system-wide while still allowing local owners to send personalized, store-specific messages.

Franchisees can use their own local numbers to send messages, but those campaigns originate from the templates, media, and workflows you set at the corporate level. 

Your campaigns go live faster and with fewer mistakes while giving your network the flexibility they need to connect with their customers.

Templates and Media Libraries

Textellent includes a centralized library of pre-approved templates and media assets. Franchisees can access these to promote seasonal offers, run text marketing campaigns, or handle after-hours replies without having to write code themselves.

Your team can also update templates as needed for product launches, policy changes, or upcoming events, ensuring everyone uses the most current and approved materials in real time.

Automated Campaigns That Drive Results at Every Location

Automation in Textellent does more than reduce manual work; it ensures the right actions happen on time. Franchisees can set up Speed-to-Lead responses for inbound inquiries, triggering instant follow-ups that help convert interest while it’s still fresh.

You can also build drip sequences to move prospects through the funnel and enable recurring messages for things like membership renewals, appointment reminders, or training prompts. These features help teams stay up to date without adding extra work.

Franchisee Support with Group and 1:1 Messaging

Internal communication matters just as much as customer outreach. Textellent simplifies Zor-to-Zee communication by giving you tools to send group updates to all franchisees or start one-on-one conversations when specific follow-up is needed.

You can also share helpful tips, recognize high performers, or route incoming franchise questions to the appropriate support rep through the same platform. This balanced approach helps maintain quality control and improve customer satisfaction system-wide.

Advanced Compliance, AI, and Sentiment Monitoring

Textellent is built to support compliant communication from the ground up. You can create structured opt-in campaigns with pre-configured, brand-safe language.

The system also uses AI-powered sentiment analysis to monitor replies, automatically flagging and removing contacts who express disinterest, even without using standard opt-out keywords.

Opt-outs, wrong numbers, and landline tracking are handled automatically through built-in list hygiene tools, so you’re not left guessing what’s happening in your database.

Review Requests and Follow-Ups on Autopilot

This business SMS solution allows you to automate the review request process by sending SMS messages that guide customers to your preferred review platforms right after the service is delivered.

Franchisees can do this on the spot using mobile apps while customers are still present and the experience is fresh.

Real-Time Dashboards and KPI Reporting

You need to know what’s working and where support is needed. With Textellent’s adoption and compliance dashboards, you can see which franchisees are active, which ones are lagging, and how campaign results compare system-wide.

This makes it easy to highlight high-performing stores, replicate what’s working, and provide guidance to teams that need a lift. Combined with performance dashboards and custom KPI tools, you get a full view of engagement, opt-outs, response trends, and customer sentiment in a user-friendly format.

Credit Pooling and System-Wide Fairness

Franchisees operate at different volumes, but that shouldn’t lead to communication inequality. Textellent’s pooled credit system allows you to set limits and policies so each franchisee can access the texts they need during big promotions without the constant need for approval.

Powerful Integration Options for Franchise Systems

Textellent connects to the systems you’re already using. Whether it’s your CRM, POS, scheduling software, or back-end dashboards, you can sync messages, events, and contact data in real time.

Integration options include direct API access, Zapier, native app connectors, and even embedded tools for Chrome. Your franchise operations stay aligned across platforms, and you avoid unnecessary manual data entry.

Grow Faster with Textellent’s Franchise-Focused Texting Solutions

As a franchisor, your success depends on scalable marketing strategies that can be consistently executed across every location. While traditional marketing methods still hold value, newer strategies can help customers build better interactions with your brand. 

Text messaging and SMS marketing are quickly becoming prominent among these approaches. They’re simple but effective for making connections with customers. 

Textellent, a leading provider of SMS marketing solutions, was founded by franchise veterans and offers a franchisor module specifically tailored to franchisors’ needs. This SMS service enables franchisors to develop brand-compliant messages and campaign templates to ensure consistency across all franchisees. 

Moreover, franchisors can effortlessly publish and edit these templates for franchisees, providing them with valuable marketing resources to drive business growth. 

Sign up for a free trial or schedule a demo consultation today!

FAQs About Text Messaging Services 

What’s the difference between SMS and text messages?

SMS stands for Short Message Service. It’s the technical term for standard text messages sent over cellular networks. When most people say “text message,” they’re referring to SMS.

These messages don’t support images or video. If your message includes media, it becomes an MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service).

In business texting, SMS is commonly used for alerts, confirmations, appointment reminders, and brief updates. It’s fast, reliable, and compatible with every mobile phone, which makes it a trusted option for franchise communication.

Which SMS gateway is best?

The best SMS gateway for your franchise depends on what you need it to do. If you’re looking for centralized control, automation, compliance tools, and features built specifically for multi-location systems, Textellent is a strong choice.

This SMS marketing service provides everything from SMS API integration to template libraries, AI-powered opt-out detection, scheduling, and full-performance dashboards.

What is a text messaging service only?

A text messaging service-only platform is built solely to send and receive text messages and MMS messaging without other communication channels like email or chat.

These services focus on mobile messaging, giving you tools to handle two-way conversations, schedule campaigns, automate responses, and manage contact lists.

What is the best app to send text messages?

The best app for sending text messages across a franchise network is one that combines simplicity with control. You should be able to launch text marketing campaigns, respond to leads, schedule follow-ups, and check performance metrics from one place.

Textellent stands out here, too, with support for iOS and Android apps, role-based permissions, pre-approved content, and mobile tools for franchisees and field reps.