Monthly Archives: March 2010

Is there honour among franchisors? Franchisees?

Honor? Honour? Whenever I hear a franchisor tell a franchisee he’s disappointed in him and he should act on his honour, I smile. Sure I’m the one that self-identified as a boy scout here but that was after Rich Mimick … Continue reading

Posted in Language, WikidFranchise.org | Tagged | Leave a comment

Managing corporate brands by internet file sharing

A nice, light snack? Simon Houpt and The Globe and Mail: Kit Kat spat goes viral despite NestlĂ©’s efforts. A global game of Whack-a-Mole broke out Wednesday on the Internet when YouTube removed a gruesome anti-NestlĂ© commercial by Greenpeace after … Continue reading

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Executives are judged on the integrity of their field heavies

Senior executives of franchises have a big problem: They have to rely on their subordinates to “manage” their franchisees. These middle- and lower-level supervisors can quickly degenerate, self-select or be developed into a cynical prison guard mentality (see Stanford prison … Continue reading

Posted in Attorneyless Franchisee Networks, AFN, Opportunism | Tagged | Leave a comment

Does the Wishart Act belong only to the franchise bar?

I went to a terrific franchise law meeting in Toronto. Met some really smart and charming young lawyers. Sure there are some dinosaurs around but they just reveal themselves for what they are. No need to shout or leap about. … Continue reading

Posted in Lawyers as businesspeople, McLaw: Make-believe fairness | Leave a comment

Are franchisors frequently contemptuous of fundamental human rights?

Does bullying happen in franchising? Yes. Does the law recognize it as being illegal? Yes. Is the Right to Associate a basic human right as far as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Section 2) is concerned. Yes. How … Continue reading

Posted in Independent Franchisee Association, IndFA | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Simpsons, The Mafia and franchising

A smooth talker sells Marge on “mobile pretzel retailing.” But when sales go soft, Homer asks for help — from organized crime boss Fat Tony. Marge: Homer! Did you tell the mafia they could eliminate my competitors with savage beatings … Continue reading

Posted in Organized crime | Tagged , | 3 Comments

My honor is dearer to me than my life

Plot Summary Alonso Quixano, a retired country gentleman in his fifties, lives in an unnamed section of La Mancha with his niece and a housekeeper. He has become obsessed with books of chivalry, and believes their every word to be … Continue reading

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Too bad about the Toronto Star

The Star used to write excellent franchise investor stories. Dozens of them I’ve captured on WikidFranchise.org. They were instrumental in getting the Wishart Act in force. The business section followed something called The Atkinson Principles. But everything changes, I guess, … Continue reading

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Meet the new boss, Same as the old boss

It’s okay to get fooled. Once. It wasn’t just your franchisor. It’s all of them. Zig Ziglar said that each person knows 250 people. You didn’t know then. You know now. Don’t hide your light.

Posted in ex-Ee Muse Store | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Franchise “charity” often means hustling the public or franchisees

Terry Fox has become a genuine Canadian hero and justifiably so. His sacrifice has been an inspiration to generations of Canadians. I was an assistant manager working at the Arthur St. McDonald’s in Thunder Bay when his Marathon of Hope … Continue reading

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