As a franchisor, your job is to set up your franchisees for success. You give them the right tools, systems, and support to make running their business easier. But when it comes to payroll, things can get messy fast.
The Whirks Referral Partnership allows franchisors to set Whirks up as their preferred payroll provider, giving their franchisees access to a reliable payroll system, industry expertise, and potential cost savings. At the same time, franchisors benefit from a revenue share program that creates an additional income stream.
If you’re a franchisor looking to simplify payroll across your locations and add value to your franchisees, here’s what you need to know.
What Is the Whirks Referral Partnership?
A Referral Partnership with Whirks allows franchisors to offer a preferred payroll vendor to their franchisees without managing payroll operations themselves.
This creates a consistent payroll process across all locations while franchisors get standardized reporting and a financial incentive through revenue sharing.
How It Works
- Franchisors Partner with Whirks – The franchisor establishes Whirks as a preferred payroll provider for their franchise network.
- Franchisees Sign Up – Franchisees start using Whirks’ payroll, HR, and insurance services, gaining access to a simplified and efficient payroll system as well as additional support for HR and insurance.
- Franchisors Earn Revenue – As franchisees process payroll with Whirks, franchisors receive a percentage of the revenue generated from all services for the lifetime of the franchisee.
- Ongoing Support & Reporting – Whirks provides consistent payroll reports and insights, making it easier to track franchise-wide payroll costs and trends.
Once the partnership is in place, franchisees can sign up with Whirks and immediately benefit from a streamlined, franchise-friendly payroll system.
Why Franchisors Choose a Referral Partnership
1. A Revenue Stream Without the Extra Work
One of the biggest perks of this partnership? You can earn extra income without adding extra responsibility.
- The revenue share starts at 5% of payroll revenue from each franchisee
- It can go up to 12%, depending on franchise size and engagement
- You keep earning for as long as the franchisee stays with Whirks
For those who prefer to pass cost savings to franchisees, the franchisee discount model allows every location to benefit from lower payroll costs.
We also give you the opportunity to earn free payroll for corporate locations once enough franchisees are on board.
2. A Standardized Payroll Process Across All Locations
When franchisees use different payroll providers, things get messy. Reports don’t match. Compliance varies by state. Some franchisees receive better support than others.
With Whirks, every franchisee follows the same payroll process, which means:
- Payroll reports are formatted the same way across all locations.
- Compliance is managed consistently, reducing legal risks.
- New franchisees onboard faster with a seamless payroll setup.
- Payroll service costs remain consistent across the franchise
3. A Payroll Partner That Knows Franchises
Franchisees aren’t payroll experts—they’re focused on running their businesses and delivering great customer service. That’s why they need a payroll provider that already understands their world.
Whirks has experience working with hundreds of franchise locations, so we know:
- The payroll challenges franchisees face
- The common compliance issues that come up (federal and multi-state compliance)
- How to create a playbook that works for everyone
For franchisors who need more services as their organizations grow, Whirks provides workers' compensation insurance, health insurance, outsourced human resource services, time & attendance, ACA tracking, expense tracking, and much more.
4. A Tech Platform That Simplifies Payroll
Whirks provides an easy-to-use payroll platform that franchisees can rely on. They get:
- Automated payroll processing to eliminate manual work
- Real-time labor cost tracking
- Built-in compliance monitoring
For franchisors, this means visibility into payroll across locations without having to manage the details yourself.
How Franchisees Benefit
The Whirks Referral Partnership doesn’t just help franchisors—it also makes life easier for franchisees.
- A payroll process they don’t have to figure out on their own
- A preferred vendor with franchise-specific payroll expertise
- A dedicated team of payroll professionals for support
- Ongoing education on federal and state employment and tax law changes
- Quarterly check-ins for additional guidance
- Sales team commitment to attending annual conferences and trainings as needed to support franchisees
- The opportunity to earn free payroll for corporate locations once enough franchisees are on board
Who Is a Good Fit for This Partnership?
This partnership is ideal for franchisors who want to give their franchisees a reliable payroll solution while keeping their operations simple.
Industries that benefit the most include:
- Restaurants and bakeries
- Gyms and fitness centers
- Medical spas and wellness clinics
- Retail and personal service businesses
- Blue-collar franchises, including pest control services, HVAC, and plumbing contractors
If your franchise system has multiple locations and you want a payroll process that works the same across the board, this partnership is a great fit.
What to Consider Before Partnering with Whirks
Before getting started, franchisors should consider:
- Customer Support Availability: Whirks provides live support Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM CT. If 24/7 payroll support is required, franchisors may need additional resources.
- Opportunities for Additional Services: Franchisors and franchisees also have access to additional service lines, including accounting, insurance, and HR support. If your franchise system could benefit from a more comprehensive back-office solution, Whirks can provide add-on services that go beyond payroll.
- The Value of a Preferred Accounting Vendor: Franchisees can also take advantage of outsourced bookkeeping, accounting, and tax services through our sister company, Patrick Accounting. This gives franchisors consistent financial reporting, aggregated profit and loss data, and predictable payroll and accounting costs for franchisees, creating better insight and control over financial performance.
A Low-Risk, High-Value Payroll Solution
The Whirks Referral Partnership gives franchisors a structured, scalable payroll solution that benefits both franchisors and franchisees.
Whether your goal is to earn passive income or help your franchisees save on payroll, this program creates consistency, compliance, and efficiency without adding extra work to your plate.
If you're ready to provide your franchisees with a payroll partner that makes their lives easier, let’s talk.
Topics:
