The Problem: Franchisees Needed Training That Worked for Them

Beyond Juicery & EateryBeyond Juicery & Eatery, one of two brands of Nostimo Brands, had a common franchise challenge: corporate training programs that didn't fit the reality of individual locations.

What was happening:

  • Franchise managers needed flexibility to start training wherever made sense for each individual
  • Varying experience levels meant some employees needed full training while others just needed refreshers
  • Part-time employees struggled to complete linear training paths

Jeff St. Andrew, Director of Training at Nostimo Brands, worked closely with franchise partners to understand their needs.

💡 "Everything we do is really heavily involving our franchisees. So a lot of feedback came back from our early test groups as far as the idea of automation versus flexibility."
Jeff St. Andrews

The solution needed to address what franchisees were actually telling them: part-time employees working limited hours (like Sunday 4-7pm shifts) couldn't complete traditional linear training paths, and there was no momentum when team members only worked single shifts per week.

The QR Code Training Ladder Solution

Beyond Juice created a one-page visual guide showing their complete barista training path. Each step includes a QR code that links to current training modules.

How it works:

  • Visual training map shows team members their full development path
  • QR codes keep printed materials current—scan to access updated content
  • Flexible starting points let managers begin training wherever makes sense
  • Multiple uses for new hires, rehires, and refresher training
"This allows them to start wherever that trainer manager feels more appropriate for that day, and they can always jump back and forth wherever they need."
Jeff St. Andrew, Director of Training

The Results: Flexibility Without Sacrificing Standards

Beyond Juicery approach solved their franchise training challenge by giving managers control while maintaining corporate training quality.

Key benefits:

  • Higher completion rates → Part-time employees can actually finish their training
  • Faster onboarding → Managers start training at appropriate skill levels
  • Reduced waste → No more throwing away outdated printed materials
  • Better retention → Team members see their complete development path
  • Scalable system → Works for 3 locations or 30 locations
  • Manager buy-in → Franchise managers control the process instead of fighting it

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"This allows them to start wherever that trainer manager feels more appropriate for that day, and they can always jump back and forth wherever they need. We are helping our managers understand reporting as well so that they can see the full reporting of their teams."
Jeff St. Andrew, Director of Training at Nostimo Brands

Implementation Principles That Work

✅ Design for Real Franchise Challenges

  • Acknowledge schedule constraints: Part-time team members working 10-12 hours per week need different training approaches than full-time staff
  • Trust your managers: Franchise managers know their team members better than corporate—give them tools, not rigid processes
  • Plan for turnover: Training systems need to work when management teams change

✅ Balance Automation with Control

  • Automate what makes sense: Food safety courses that build in difficulty
  • Keep flexibility where it matters: Higher-level skills like barista training that need manager judgment
  • Provide both options: Let managers choose between automated paths and manual assignment

✅ Make It Visual and Accessible

  • Show the complete journey: Team members perform better when they can see their full development path
  • Use technology strategically: QR codes bridge the gap between printed convenience and digital updates
  • Think like your teams: Visual formats work better in busy franchise environments

Why This Approach Succeeds

Beyond Juicery's training ladder proves that automation isn't always the answer. While automated training paths deliver the most consistent results—removing guesswork and ensuring execution—there are times when flexibility makes more sense.

When automation works best: Core safety training, compliance requirements, foundational skills that every team member needs identically.

When flexibility wins: Training multiple skills, accommodating varied schedules, or leveraging manager expertise about individual team members.

The key insight: It doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. Opus is built to be flexible to the needs of YOUR business, letting you choose automation where it makes sense and manager control where it adds value.

See It For Yourself

Here’s the one-page job aid that stores print and post in their stores. Note: we removed the QR codes.

Want More Franchise Training Solutions?

Meet Nostimo Brands

Nostimo Brands operates two distinct restaurant concepts across 80 locations: Beyond Juice Green Eatery (fresh juices, salads, and wellness-focused menu items) and Detroit Wing Company (classic comfort food and chicken wings). With locations ranging from university campuses to suburban markets, Nostimo Brands has built flexible training systems that support both franchise growth and diverse seasonal staffing needs across their portfolio.

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