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WSJ: Blogs Provide Insights for Franchisees and Wannabees

Posted Tue, 2009/03/24 - 06:39 by Mr. Blue MauMau

Reporter Richard Gibson of the Wall Street Journal writes that franchisees and wannabees can find a bevy of information from franchise blogs. The Journal describes our site:

Blue MauMau (www.bluemaumau.com). With its breaking news, original interviews with franchisers, opinion forums and a legal-events reporter who writes about cases of interest to the franchising community, Blue MauMau is a must for keeping current on what's happening in the world of franchising. Named for a Polynesian fish that protects itself from predators by swimming in large schools -- creator Dan Sniegowski thought that a metaphor for franchisees -- the site is one of a few with regular independent contributors.

To help cover costs, Mr. Sniegowski accepts advertisements, although he insists they don't influence his content. "If I ever cross [readers], at a click of a button they would go elsewhere and wouldn't come back," he says.

Mr. Gibson called with his own list and asked what were other major franchise blogs. I'm pleased to see that many of those sites are listed. The franchise blogosphere has significantly grown these past three years.

The subtitle "Sites Offer News, Comments, Updates ... Complaints Are Welcome Too" sends a message of openness, tolerance and news transparency to the franchise industry. Those qualities apply both ways. If franchisors, franchisees or individuals think that our news doesn't report their position accurately, they have an open invitation to contribute a rebutal or ask for an interview.

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Read the full story and comment at the Wall Street Journal 

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The Franchise Blogosphere by Mr. Blue MauMau
Mr. Blue MauMau's picture
Submitted by Mr. Blue MauMau on Sat, 2009/03/28 - 04:18.

Here are a few others to the Wall Street Journal's list of franchise blogs.

Franchise operator Bob Frankman tells the day's franchise news "like I see it" and that straight-forwardness is sprinkled with humor. He usually covers the restaurant and QSR industry.

FranchisePick: A blog run by franchise marketer Sean Kelly picks and opines on the day's news as it affects franchisees, with often a twist of humor. Kelly from time to time also interviews leaders of emerging franchise systems.

Janet Sparks investigates and reports on the legal cases and issues concerning franchisees. Award-winning reporter Ms. Sparks brings an unprecedented depth and research to her hard-hitting news stories as they often first appear on Blue MauMau.

Jim Coen, franchise consultant, president of independent franchisee association DDIFO and leader of the New England Franchise Association has his corporate blog, franchiseperfection and his Blue MauMau blog. Mr. Coen is a charter blogger of Blue MauMau.

Franchise broker Joel Libava, aka the Franchise King, is a prolific franchise blogger on aspects of buying a franchise in Cleveland, Ohio as well as the rest of the country.

On his Blue MauMau blog, Mr. Les Stewart covers such eclectic topics as thought-control, the neuroeconomics of running a franchise, and more. Nowadays Les Stewart is writing on his WordPress blog, Franchise Fool, telling what ways franchise buyers can be doomed from the get-go.

Canadian franchise attorney Michael Webster is a prolific blogger. He is an expert on scams of all kinds as they impact business opportunities, franchises, multi-level marketing, etc. His blog is The BizOp News and is widely read. (He also has a blog on Blue MauMau.)

Long-time franchise insider and consultant, Nick Bibby blogs his insights on the franchise world. He has his company site, BibbyGroup, that offers articles and a program to educate small business and franchise investors to navigate the right entrepreneurial path for them.

Oscar P. Hoot writes a franchise gossip column. Oscar has uncanny hearing when it comes to things in Rumorville.

Paul Steinberg, attorney, former Subway franchisee and author has a witty and insightful blog on legal issues that impact a franchise owner.

Ray Borradale bravely blogs on the franchise scene in Australia.

Rhonda Sanderson, president of PR firm Sanderson and Associates, has a blog called Daily Franchise News that covers franchisor press releases, interesting news and fun franchisor get-togethers like the time Rhonda and IFA franchisor members went white-watering down the Colorado River.

Richard Solomon's blog about legal and pre-investment investigation is an excellent read, packed with saucy humor and years of insights into both franchisor and franchisee issues. One thing you have to say about Richard is that he calls it as he sees it. That's refreshing for this industry. Information and tutorials can be found at his practice's website, FranchiseRemedies.com.

Then there's hoteling expert Stan Turkel's blog of profound insights for hotel franchisees.

Hmmm, I realize this list is getting too long. So let me finish by saying that there are frequent bloggers like business consultant Darnelle White, fitness franchise insider Do Diligence, rich man FuwaFuwaUsagi, Lionel Hutz, Pualani, researchers, and many others.

Franchise Survey Blogs by michael webster
michael webster's picture
Submitted by michael webster on Sun, 2009/03/29 - 22:54.

I think I would also give a nod to both Jeff Johnson and Eric Stites for their franchisee satisfaction surveys.

I have doubts about the scope of these surveys, but nonetheless I would include them in your list.

Franchise Survey  - Jeff Johnson 

Franchise Business Review  - Eric Stites 

Michael Webster, a franchisee attorney in Toronto, Ontario, publishes a website on business opportunities and franchises called "The BizOp News"


Michael Webster, a franchisee attorney in Toronto, Ontario, publishes a website on business opportunities and franchises called "The BizOp News"


Thanx, BMM! by franpro
franpro's picture
Submitted by franpro on Sat, 2009/03/28 - 15:09.
Mr. BlueMauMau, Thank you so much for the mention. My blog really appreciates it! The Franchise King
Joel Libava, President

Franchise Selection Specialists Inc.

Cleveland, Ohio

Franpro is:

Joel Libava, President
Franchise Selection Specialists Inc.

Cleveland, Ohio

fuwa by Guest
Submitted by Guest on Sat, 2009/03/28 - 15:06.
fyi Fuwa is a very good, very expensive consultant. I tried to hire him - ouch! Later, Leonard
One test of whether your stuff is valuable is what you are by RichardSolomon
RichardSolomon's picture
Submitted by RichardSolomon on Thu, 2009/04/02 - 08:53.
willing to spend to improve/save it. Those whose primary concern is cost rather than value say more about themselves when they whine about resources being costly. Of course, in this instance, one might inquire whether anyone here has ever actually met Fuwa-san. Do we know his real name? Do we have access to a web site where his "stuff" could be vetted? His comments in here are sage, but ultra conservative. He has at one time or another told us that he lives in a ratty hotel room and eats potted meat out of a can he heats on a sterno device. I like him and respect what he writes - though the direction of my thinking is often at odds with his. This leads me to suspect that he might be a deep cover espionage agent. If so, we might try to guess what government he represents based upon what he has told us. If what he has said is partly correct (face it - a spy wouldn't tell you the truth, right?), one might posit that he is definitely not Russian. While his stated modus vivendi is right out of Dostoyevsky, he is probably smarter than Rodion Raskolnikov. He is too frugal to be a Karamozov. He is not Japanese or he wouldn't have selected a Japanese screen name. He certainly isn't Italian, as Italians have no spies. They are incapable of anything clandestine. Once they start to speak and their hands get moving, you know who you are dealing with. He could be a Scot, but all the Scottish spies are in London, and he claims to be in Illinois. I have concluded that he is a representative of the Mossad. Now why would the Mossad be interested in franchising? It's obvious. Franchise systems are great for laundering money and diverting otherwise ill gotten revenues to kosher cash. The Mossad is noted for operating in the drug trade to raise cash for off the books operations - just like the similar organizations of every other nation, including the CIA (no, not the Culinary Institute of America). The final straw was the article yesterday about using FDDs to hide secret communications. That was real flash of genius level insight. Using franchise jibberish as a kind of one time pad code - hiding in plain sight - is so Madoff. That would also explain why he was not available to Leonard and quoted a very high price. He has no desire for clients or need for clients. So I heartily congratulate my friend Fuwa-san for his heretofore grand success in concealing his identity.

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Richard Solomon, FranchiseRemedies.com,  has over 45 years experience with franchise litigation and crisis management. He is a graduate of The Citadel and The University of Michigan Law School


Richard Solomon, FranchiseRemedies.com,  has over 45 years experience with franchise litigation and crisis management. He is a graduate of The Citadel and The University of Michigan Law School