Franchise HQ in FieldCamp: run every branch from one place

Learn how Franchise HQ works in FieldCamp: one HQ console over branch workspaces that keep separate books, with shared standards and network reporting.

Franchise HQ lets you run several locations from one FieldCamp account. Each branch works in its own workspace with its own clients, jobs, invoices and payments. Headquarters (HQ) gets a separate console to manage the network: the branch tree, the people who can reach each branch, shared standards, departments and rolled-up reporting.

It's built for franchisors, but it suits any business with more than one location, such as a company with offices in several cities that wants each office to keep its own books.

Watch: Franchise HQ in FieldCamp

A one-minute look at Franchise HQ: one console for every branch, separate books per location, and standards set once.

How a franchise is organized

HQ and branches

When you set up Franchise HQ, the workspace you're working in becomes your HQ branch. It keeps all its existing records. You then add more branches under Branches & people > Structure.

A branch has one of four types:

Type	What it is
Location	A real branch with its own workspace, clients, jobs and invoices. The HQ branch is always a Location.
Division	A real branch with its own workspace, the same as a Location.
Region	A folder that groups branches. It holds no data.
Area	A folder that groups branches. It holds no data.

In FieldCamp's words: "Location & Division are real branches with their own clients, jobs & invoices (they get a workspace). Region & Area are just folders to group branches — they hold no data." See build your branch structure.

Workspaces and the HQ console

You work in two places:

Branch workspaces are ordinary FieldCamp workspaces. You move between them with the workspace switcher at the top of the sidebar. See switch between branch workspaces.
The franchise console is where HQ manages the network. Its home page is titled Franchise HQ. Open it from Franchise HQ in the sidebar or from the franchise row in the workspace switcher. Back to app at the top of the console returns you to the app.

Franchise members and branch teams

There are two kinds of people:

Franchise members are people you invite to the franchise. Each member has a franchise role and an access setting. The role decides what they can do in the console and inside branch workspaces. The access setting decides which branches they can reach, from Whole franchise down to specific branches.
Branch team members are the ordinary team of a branch workspace, such as its technicians and dispatchers. You manage them in that branch, the same way as in any FieldCamp workspace. See adding and managing team members.

Brand standards

A standard is something HQ sets once for every branch, such as company branding, job types or the price book. For each record you choose a rule: Same everywhere (branches can't change), Branches can edit or Don't send. You publish the standard, then push it to branches.

Network departments

Departments are lines of business, such as HVAC Service or Plumbing. HQ defines a department once for the whole network, and branches activate it separately. Each branch then sets it up like any department. See departments in FieldCamp for how a department works inside a workspace.

What's in the franchise console

The console's left menu groups its areas under Overview, Network, Standards and System.

Area	What you do there
Network performance	Compare revenue, collections, jobs, visits and other numbers across branches. Tabs: Dashboard, Analytics and Boards.
Branches & people	Build the branch tree, invite members, manage roles and share technicians between branches. Tabs: Structure, Members, Invitations, Shared technicians and Roles.
Departments	Define departments for the whole network and choose which branches get them.
Brand standards	Set up standards, publish them, push them to branches and review branch changes and requests.
Modules	Turn Network performance, Branches & people and Brand standards on or off for the franchise, and set the purchase order price variance tolerance.
Audit log	See who changed what: members, roles, invitations, branch switches and network settings. Export it as CSV.

Who can use Franchise HQ

Installing and activating the add-on: the account owner or an admin. Activation needs a one-time code from the FieldCamp team.
Setting up the first franchise: the account owner.
Using the console: franchise members. FieldCamp has four built-in roles: Owner, Admin, Member and Viewer. You can also create your own. See franchise roles and permissions.

A console area shows in the menu only when it's turned on under Modules and your role allows it. Inside a branch workspace, your normal roles and permissions model applies, using the branch access that comes with your franchise role.