Wendy's Franchisees Unite: Let's Put the 'We' Back in Wendy's

MODESTO, California (Blue MauMau) - The mission of the Old Fashioned Franchise Association is clear: To give Wendy's franchisees an independent, credible voice in the Wendy's System for the purpose of preserving the values Dave Thomas instilled in us, and to enhance our members' investment and profitability." According to President Joe Johal (pictured), in addition to lobbying on issues concerning franchisees, the association will conduct regular presentations to franchisees on best practices and promote the free flow of information among members.

In a press release today, the U.S. franchisee association announced that the WendPartners group, which includes a total of 314 restaurants, accepted the invitation to join OFFA. Lewis Topper and Jeff Coghlan, principals of the group, are members of the Wendy's Hall of Fame, and Lewis will join Wendy Thomas Morse, whom the chain was named after, and other long-time franchisees on the board of directors. "The board members will work to re-instill the values and principles of our Founder, Dave Thomas, in the Wendy's System," Johal said.

With the addition on WendPartners the association now has over 1300 members.

Association Has "Vision to Help Wendy's Brand, Not Tear It Down"

In the first Old Fashioned Franchise Association Newsletter published December 3, President Johal announced it has been an incredible year for members. "We have made progress on many of the factors key to franchisee equity in the Wendy's system, including supply chain management, margin enhancements and FAC (Franchisee Advisory Council) and WNAP (Wendy's National Advertisement Program) structure. We feel like a team for the first time in years," according to Johal.

The Association held a special meeting on November 6 in Dublin, Ohio, home of Wendy's headquarters, which was the fourth meeting to take place in 2007. Almost 700 stores were represented. Michael Garner, Dady & Garner, who is representing the OFFA, spoke at the meeting, as did Susan Kezios, president of the American Franchisee Association. Kezios facilitated the initial strategic planning session of Wendy's new franchisee association, and she will continue to act as an advisor.

In his speech, Garner told attendees, "Lawyers can't create vision and no lawsuit can teach leadership or reform management. Franchisee associations, however, can nurture and restore the vision that the system was founded on." He told the group that it is the franchisees who have a stronger vested interest and want to make sure the business is there for their children or grandchildren. "They are not just looking at the next quarter's results or the end of the next fiscal year." He said if a franchisor is performing poorly, the franchisees will also be suffering . . . but he continued, "the franchisor's management team, meanwhile, may get rewarded with millions of dollars."

Kezios told of her background in forming the non-profit American Franchisee Association, telling the audience how she had testified before Congressional Committees on behalf of franchisees. She stated that she is constantly advising existing franchisee associations on how to improve the relationship with their franchisor.

But the main message of the newsletter was also clear. "Wendy's is about the passion we all have for this system and the family of Wendy's franchisees. We miss the culture that Dave instilled in the organization and we miss the profitability. While we continue to count our blessings at this time of year, we also need to overcome our weaknesses. "

The Old Fashioned Franchise Association states it now has a membership that is invigorated to continue its forward motion in 2008. But it urges all franchisees to sign on as members.

In the words of Susan Kezios, "No one franchisee is as strong as all franchisees."

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