That’s the magic of combining Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in franchise training, according to Antonio Hondo.
Gone are the days of inconsistent training—a world where human trainers might have off days, conflicting styles, or simply a bad mood. Now, your training program is as reliable as your Netflix recommendations on a lazy Sunday, consistently delivering top-tier performance every time.
So, in this context, what are the definitions for that dynamic duo, VR & AI?
- VR: Think of it as the ultimate simulation game that puts your team right in the middle of a high-stakes scenario—be it a rush-hour drive-thru frenzy or a bustling retail floor—without any real-world consequences
- AI: The personal trainer that never sleeps, offering instant, unbiased feedback and tailoring challenges to each employee’s learning pace. It’s like having Siri or Alexa, but instead of setting reminders, they transform your staff into superstars
In short, traditional training is like watching a recorded sitcom on repeat—predictable and a bit outdated. VR with AI, however, is an interactive blockbuster that adapts to you in real-time, ensuring you’re always in the director’s seat.
Some facts and figures
- 4x Faster Learning: PwC reports employees trained with VR learn up to 4x faster than those taught in traditional classrooms
- 70% Better Retention: VR training can boost retention rates by up to 70%
- 30% Reduction in Training Time (Starbucks): Starbucks used VR to reduce barista training time by ~30% across 30,000+ global stores
- 50% Fewer Training Errors: VR pilots in fast food have seen order mix-ups drop by nearly 50%
- 40% Cost Savings: Replacing repeat in-person sessions with VR can cut training costs by up to 40%
- 35% Better Responsiveness: Retail staff showed up to 35% improvement in responsiveness post-VR training
Beyond the obvious of reducing inefficiencies, it matters that every employee, no matter the city or time zone, gets A-list training. And given you’ve personally worked hard to build your brand VR will help you protect it by delivering training that sticks to the script.
Or, to put it another way; traditional training is like using a paper map in a smartphone world. VR/AI training is your built-in GPS—accurate, fast, and always rerouting to improvement.
The whys and wherefores beyond the training room
- Data-Driven Decisions: AI provides performance insights to fine-tune training
- Future-Proofing: As your franchise grows, your training scales seamlessly
- Employee Empowerment: Every staff member gets a virtual mentor in their corner, ready to train, refresh, or guide—anytime, anywhere
Making it happen
If your franchise isn’t using AI and VR yet, you’re not just behind—you’re missing out. Here’s how to catch up:
- Evaluate your current training. Where are the inconsistencies?
- Research VR/AI training partners
- Test a module. Start small and scale fast
- Implement company-wide and watch the difference
The show must inevitably go on. Indeed, adopting VR and AI in franchise training is no longer futuristic fantasy—it’s the standard that top franchises are already running with. Moreover, it’s efficient; it’s scalable and it’s brand-aligned.
So the question is: Do you want your team to keep playing catch-up, or are you ready to train like tomorrow’s already here? That’s really down to you.
