Franchise Relationships: A Micro-Image of Life

The number one topic at this site, as well as all other franchise portals dealing with anything outside of ‘recruitment’, is that of “franchise relationships”. And that quite appropriate, because when you simmer franchising to its essence, ‘relationships’ is the final reduction.

Tainted hearts, conniving minds, broken spirits, and depleted bank accounts can contribute to, and result from, any number of activities of which franchising is just one.  Think about it. Most people dislike their jobs; more than 75% I read. I've also read that marriages fail at a rate of more than 50%, second marriages fail at a higher rate. At least seven of ten new businesses fail, and more than three quarters of new products never receive market acceptance.

Is it any wonder that franchising suffers just the same relationship ailments of poor human judgement?

Nope.

Franchising is no different than any other human endeavor as it regards thoughtful planning, discernment (on each side), careful analysis (again on each side), and a contract (moral and/or legal). Franchise decisions, like others, require business/relationship acumen, but they also involve assessments that we may not be willing to address. In franchising, as with in life in general, there exists good and evil.

Of course, like all of you, I’m in favor of analyzing important decisions. But the facts of life, indeed the drives of hormonal life, dictate that we humans generally are not going to let the brain drive a decision when the mood is right. How do you think bad things happen?

Sex sells. Food sells. A lot of things sell. How do you think that lousy deals sell? 

The scoundrels of franchising will never go away because they will always have their prey.

No AAFD, no FTC; indeed there is nothing short of informed ‘analysis’ that will ever save the sheep from the wolf.

Franchising is just another expression of worldly relationships. Until investors get their heads out of the sand, they will continue to make bad decisions, be fleeced, and then blog with complaints. Divorcees will tell of the same tales as told by ex-franchisees, and so on.

Good decision making is just not a built-in human attribute.