“Before, it took weeks and way too many phone calls just to get a line up and running. Now it takes five minutes. I don’t even have to think about it.”
— Shiela, Franchise Manager
Business Introduction
Whether it’s Dunkin’, Peet’s, or Dutch Bros, opening a new coffee shop comes with a long checklist. There’s staffing to sort out, equipment to install, inspections to pass, and a deadline to hit.
But if you ask Shiela, the biggest headache wasn’t any of that. It was the phones.
He manages dozens of locations for a well-known coffee franchise. And with every new store, the same problem kept popping up. They needed a working phone line for team communication, deliveries, and emergencies. But getting one set up? Always more complicated and expensive than it should’ve been.
The Challenge
Before switching to Community Phone, Shiela and his franchise team faced a complicated and expensive process every time a new store opened:
- Wiring and installation for traditional phone lines often cost up to $60,000 across multiple new locations.
- Internet-based phone systems came with hidden “implementation fees” of hundreds of dollars per store.
- Tech coordination and delays regularly pushed back timelines, creating stress during store openings.
- Vendor management became a full-time job: each store needed a unique contract, separate billing, and its own tech support line.
“Phones should’ve been the simplest part of opening a new store, but they were always the biggest hassle. Delays, surprise fees, you name it.”
— Shiela
The Solution
Community Phone gave Shiela exactly what his team needed: a simple, reliable way to get phone service up and running at every new location—without the usual delays, wiring costs, or vendor headaches.
Key Solution Components:
- Plug-and-play setup: The franchise’s locations now use Community Phone bases, which arrive pre-configured. Store managers simply unbox, plug in, and get a local number within minutes.
- No wiring, no technicians: Community Phone works independently of traditional landlines or internet-based VoIP systems. No permits, no trenching, and no technician scheduling needed.
- Centralized account management: All locations are managed in one dashboard, with consistent billing and support across the entire operation.
- Scalable infrastructure: As the franchise opens more stores, Community Phone’s system scales with zero added complexity.
“Now I plug in the box, and that’s it. Couldn’t be easier.”
— Shiela
Implementation Process:
- Day 1: Initial call and needs assessment
- Day 2: Community Phone team ships out pre-configured bases
- Day 3: Stores receive and plug in the devices—phone service is live (just like that)
- Ongoing: Any new location just requires a quick shipment and plug-in to go live
The Results
For Shiela, switching to Community Phone was a game changer.
What used to be a major headache—setting up phones for each new store—is now one of the easiest parts of opening day. No more wiring costs, no waiting on techs, no last-minute vendor calls. Just plug it in and go.
Here’s what that looks like in numbers:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Estimated Wiring Costs Avoided | $60,000 |
| Internet Phone Setup Fees Avoided | $100+ per store |
| Community Phone Plan | $39–$199/month per location |
| Implementation Costs | $0 |
| Time Savings Per Store | 10-14 days |
Non-Financial Benefits:
- Faster store launches with fewer moving parts
- Consistent call quality and support nationwide
- No reliance on unstable internet or cable infrastructure
- Professional business presence from day one, with local numbers and smart routing options
For Shiela, switching to Community Phone didn’t just solve a problem—it completely flipped the script on what used to be the most stressful part of opening a new store.
What once took weeks of coordination and thousands of dollars now takes five minutes and zero hassle. And across dozens of locations, that’s added up to serious savings—in both time and money.
A Day in the Life After Community Phone
8:00 AM—A new store manager receives a Community Phone base. No appointments to schedule, they just plug it in.
8:05 AM—The device is live. The store’s local number rings, and calls forward as needed to management or HQ.
12:30 PM—HQ monitors all store phone lines from the dashboard, ensuring uptime and resolving any issues centrally.
2:00 PM—Another location comes online with zero support tickets or technician delays.
6:00 PM—Shiela wraps the day knowing his stores are ready, without ever picking up the phone to talk to a telecom provider.
Simplify your expansion, one plug-and-play phone line at a time
Opening a new location? Don’t waste time and money on outdated telecom systems. With Community Phone, you can go live in minutes, not weeks, and manage every store from one simple dashboard.
No more paying thousands just to hear a dial tone. Plans start at just $39/month.
