Five years after the pandemic transformed how we work and learn, businesses are still trying to strike the right balance between online and face-to-face interaction. Although online meetings and virtual training have become second nature, two fifths (41%) of businesses have increased their expectations for in-person working over the past year1. So, there’s growing recognition – across industries – that nothing replaces time spent in person.

It’s the same in franchising. For franchisees, the mix of online efficiency and in-person connection can make all the difference. And if a franchisor isn’t offering any in-person training or support in today’s landscape, that should raise serious questions.

This is exactly why tutoring franchise Tutor Doctor reintroduced in-person training in 2025 – and, as the brand’s global president Frank Milner explains, the impact has been remarkable.

Online connections: efficient, but not the full story

One of the great legacies of the pandemic has been how natural it now feels to jump online for updates and meetings. Platforms make it easy to connect quickly, share resources on demand and keep everyone in the loop – no matter where they’re based. For example, at Tutor Doctor, we host monthly calls with our UK network online and consistently see fantastic attendance, with almost all of our UK franchisees joining in.

It's a brilliant way to save time, cut travel costs – especially valuable for international franchise operations – and to ensure franchisees never feel out of touch.

But while online meetings tick all the boxes for speed and efficiency, they can’t quite replicate the human connection. There’s certainly no substitute for the trust, confidence and sense of community that comes from spending real time together, face-to-face.

The power of being in the room

As we’ve established, online connections are helpful, and keep everything moving, but it’s the in-person moments that really deepen relationships. When franchisors and franchisees come together face-to-face, the conversations are richer, feedback is immediate, and ideas bear fruit more naturally. There’s also something special about the peer-to-peer learning that happens when franchisees share experiences in real time.

Being physically present really does build a genuine sense of community and belonging – the kind that can’t be replicated on a screen. At Tutor Doctor, we see this in action with our Going for Growth group of franchisees: a peer performance group formed of the UK’s leading franchisees, where

meetings in person have fostered stronger bonds, shared ambitions and the kind of support that drives long-term engagement and success.

Training that delivers

When it comes to learning the ropes, nothing beats being there in person. Practical skills and role-modelling simply work best in the field, not on a screen. That’s why our decision to reintroduce in-person training has been such a game-changer – the results have been, quite literally, off the charts.

Franchisees report feeling confident much faster, delivering stronger performance from the outset and experiencing higher levels of satisfaction. For new recruits, the value of real-world practice alongside experienced team members can’t be overstated.

Our immersive five-day, in-person training in Canada gives every new franchisee the chance to learn, try and refine their approach in a supportive environment – and the feedback so far has been fantastic.

What it says about a franchisor

A franchisor that relies solely on digital training risks sending the wrong message – that they’re cutting corners or avoiding meaningful investment in a critical stage of a franchisee’s journey with the brand. Franchisees are quick to recognise the differences between efficiency and genuine commitment.

That’s why a blended approach matters so much. It demonstrates that the franchisor values more than just convenience; they’re invested in their franchisees’ long-term success. By striking the right balance between online efficiency and in-person connection, franchisors show they view the relationship as a true partnership – one that’s built to last.

It also reflects broader workplace trends, where people increasingly expect at least some face-to-face interaction. In franchising, that balance is a clear marker of a franchisor’s integrity and vision for sustainable growth.

Finding the right balance

For modern franchising, balance is essential. Online platforms bring efficiency and convenience, but it’s the in-person touch that builds lasting confidence, stronger relationships and real community.

Franchisees should look for brands that invest in both, because that blend is what drives sustainable success. Tutor Doctor’s experience proves the point: when the balance is right, franchisees thrive – and their businesses grow stronger as a result.