Franchisees Turn To Faith-Filled Businesses
Franchising firms with religious underpinnings offer owner-operators with like-minded beliefs not only businesses but also the ability to work with a familiar set of core spiritual values, according to a Reuters article. These are chains with familiar names like Curves International, Chick-fil-A, Office Pride, and Christian Brothers.
Lie, 37, made the shift to business following a 12-year career in education. After deciding to be his own boss, he picked an Office Pride franchise because the prospects rang true for him - low cost of entry, a seemingly recession-proof sector and a corporate culture where operators openly share their Christian beliefs with each other.
"They take their faith very seriously," says Lie, whose business is profitable. "The personal philosophy I have - it mirrors the philosophy of the company."
... Founder Todd Hopkins estimates that some two-thirds of Office Pride's more than 100 total franchisees are practicing Christians. That makes the Golden Rule and other core biblical tenets easier to communicate, understand and incorporate into business practice, he says.
"They're all committed to honesty, integrity and hard work," says Hopkins. "Those are the three things you have to bring to the table."
Despite the openness about its religious mission, Office Pride -- like most faith-based franchises -- does not proselytize to customers. Much of the fellowship takes place behind the scenes, woven into the attitudes displayed by management and cemented during company events, where prayer breakfasts and workshops give franchisees a chance to network around shared beliefs. - Reuters
There's even a chain where only Born Again Christians need apply.
"Houston-based auto repair chain Christian Brothers, which carefully screens would-be operators and only includes born-again Christians, has seen a recent uptick in interest, says founder and CEO Mark Carr."
The auto repair chain's CEO warmly states, "Love your neighbor as yourself; there's no one race, creed or color in the world that doesn't get that."
That may be true. But apparently there is only one creed in the world that gets to own a Christian Brothers auto repair franchise.
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