Time & Effort
WINGMAN APPROACH
- Franchisor effort reduced to 6 hours, focused only on strategic decision making.
- Dedicated Wingman team handles supplier research, vetting, and compatibility testing.
- Streamlined process saves time and allows internal staff to focus on core responsibilities.
In-House Approach:
- Requires 200+ staff hours from senior-level team members juggling key initiatives.
- Time-consuming manual research and limited evaluation of suppliers.
- Teams often feel overwhelmed and pressured to move quickly, leading to shortcuts.
Supplier Pool
WINGMAN APPROACH
- Access to an extensive, fully vetted supplier database across multiple categories.
- Includes established industry leaders and emerging suppliers outside the usual set.
- Data-driven analysis ensures suppliers match franchisor needs and goals.
In-House Approach:
- Narrow network of suppliers limited to familiar names or basic online research.
- Misses out on innovative, high-growth suppliers with new technologies or approaches.
Evaluation Quality
WINGMAN APPROACH
- AI-enhanced supplier evaluations with real-time performance data and compatibility scoring.
- Benchmarks suppliers on KPIs, historical success rates, and market share.
- Comprehensive evaluations include site visits, interviews, and proprietary personality testing.
In-House Approach:
- Relies on traditional RFP processes with superficial scoring systems.
- Often lacks real-time data, market insights, or supplier performance benchmarks.
- Decisions based on subjective impressions or supplier marketing materials.
COMPATIBILITY TESTING
WINGMAN APPROACH
- Proprietary personality testing and compatibility assessments ensure cultural and operational alignment.
- Matches teams based on working styles, communication preferences, and collaboration potential.
- Reduces friction and improves the likelihood of a long-term successful partnership.
In-House Approach:
- Compatibility rarely evaluated beyond surface-level impressions during interviews.
- High risk of misalignment in communication styles, decision-making processes, and team dynamics.
Relationship Management
WINGMAN APPROACH
- Provides ongoing advisory services, including relationship coaching and regular check-ins.
- Tracks supplier performance with detailed analytics and suggests optimizations as needed.
- Acts as an impartial mediator to resolve issues confidentially and collaboratively.
In-House Approach:
- Relationships often deteriorate due to unmet expectations, poor communication, or misaligned goals.
- No neutral party to address issues or mediate conflicts.
Cost Efficiency
WINGMAN APPROACH
- Cost-effective solution with clear ROI through time savings and better supplier matches.
- Avoids expensive churn by ensuring suppliers meet KPIs and align with long-term goals.
In-House Approach:
- High internal labor costs due to the significant time investment from senior staff.
- Increased risk of supplier churn, requiring additional time and money to restart the process.
