Forbes Article Cover with Doug Flaig: How Data-driven strategy powers franchise growth at every level

In an era where information is abundant but time is limited, making smart, swift decisions is more important than ever—especially in franchising. At Stratus Building Solutions, we’ve learned that trusting your gut can only take you so far. The real edge? Using data to drive every decision.
 

In a recent Forbes Finance Council feature, David — our CFO and data advocate — shared how blending intuition with actionable insights is helping us scale with purpose. “Data allows us to understand our business in real time and identify what’s working, what isn’t, and what’s next,” he explains. “It’s how we spot opportunities before they become obvious.”
 

For franchise systems, this means moving away from reactive decision-making and toward predictive, strategic action. Whether it’s analyzing performance by territory, evaluating onboarding processes, or refining marketing efforts, data helps you operate smarter—not just harder.
 

Here are just a few ways Stratus leverages data:

Performance Trends: Spotting revenue dips or surges by region helps support franchisees faster and more effectively.

Training Optimization: Monitoring success after training lets us improve how we support new owners.

Feedback Loops: Customer satisfaction data helps identify areas for improvement—before it becomes an issue.
 

It’s not about replacing human judgment—it’s about enhancing it with clarity and confidence. “The franchise industry is built on systems,” David says. “Why wouldn’t we build those systems to be smarter with data?”


As we continue growing, one thing is clear: data isn’t just a tool—it’s a teammate. It helps us remain agile, proactive, and supportive across our network. The result? Franchisees that grow stronger, faster, and with more focus.
 

Read the full article in Forbes.