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And the disclosures from people were not true. Or what if the lawyer you went to didn't guide you well or disclose the important facts of the UFOC. My husband and I visited several of the businesses we were interested in. What if the company disclosed an icon in the business was there and in truth wasn't? What if the company is so new everyone is still in the honeymoon stage. Which many were. So many of the people we had called disclosed to us everything was going great for them. I know of one club a lady did do killer due diligence. Like me asked many guestions only to be lied to. What if the company stops answering your phone calls only to talk to my husband who related everything looks good. What if the company doesn't bring up due diligence and many of the people didn't even have a clue what it is? Are we all lazy is all the lies they told us our fault? Now after we closed I have been doing killer due diligence. After a year there is more information out there. If we had all the information today we would have never signed. After all of this I did do due diligence about the mangerial contract they offered us to find out many who did were screwed even more. I do not want to have anything to do with this company now. They have hurt too many people. Instead of looking or even considering them taking over our club I decided I couldn't trust them. I have never been lazy ever. I believe our mistake was we put our trust into people who are crooks. A good business or business person discloses material facts that would ultimately effect your decision to sign or not to sign. Sure there were things we could of done better but misrepresentation are lies period. Anything that induces you into signing a contract that isn't true is against the law and normally voids the contract in most business transactions. Let me remind you many who decided to do this were professionals and successful in raising their families and had money to spend on a new business. Which they lied in the first place about it being your own business. Did it ever occur to you many of the phone numbers on our UFOC they gave us the club's phone numbers and it was impossible to reach them since they went out of business. I even asked direct guestions to the sales rep like: What kind of people are at the top? The sales rep said he was a Christian like I am. I asked him is Brooksy the CEO a Christian man? He said yes. He lied. That was important to me to see if the people at the top had values like me. I am a business women and I stick to the golden rule. I have also learned to ask direct guestions. Calling people doesn't work because they may be starting out also. From our marketing material to our equipment it was all lies. I will not take responsibily for their misrepresentations, fraud and non-disclosures. What I have learned here is due diligence involves time to see if they are liers. By the way the lady that I know did killer due diligence signed the franchise agreement. Lazy is not the issue here. We do not think like the zor who is bad. We trust because we can be trusted. Do we trust now? No. To carry due diligence further it takes time and money. We should of never opened after the build out. It ate most of our working capital. We felt trapped. Like so many did. Lazy is not the issue here!!
On Taking Responsibilty
For years, I’ve promoted due diligence/feasibility as means tests for prospective franchisees/franchisors. But now I understand why this ‘pre-work’ is not so popular. It requires an effort.
We’ve grown lazy. We’ve tossed out common sense, individual responsibility, and worst of all, acknowledgement of an eventual appearance before God.
Fade back a lifetime: I was roughed up every day on the way home from fourth grade by two older kids and I hated them. I admit it; I wished there was another way home but there wasn’t. I was stuck. When I took seriously what my father taught me I walked home without being bothered again. Unfortunately, on the whole, kids are no longer taught to handle their problems. They’re taught to complain, go to counseling, and/or get on medication. I’m so sick of chicken, PC wimps, and I don’t mean the kids; I mean the wimps that are teaching and parenting the kids.
Franchising is no different as it regards the past or the present world that I’ve witnessed.
A bully franchisor will beat on franchisees until their mouth is smashed. Scared franchisees will take a beating until they get their fight up. Bullies quit when the bullied don’t.
Yes, of course there are hired guns to help in certain circumstances, and they do their part, but none of us are totally helpless on our own. This is fundamental stuff that we all should have learned as kids. This is fundamental stuff that adults who know anything about personal responsibility should understand before taking a franchise walk.
pardon me...
Pardon me, but perhaps you can assist me. I have read your post and it begs a question, one I deeply wish to gain an answer to. However before let me make a disclaimer. Nothing I am saying is meant as an attack, an insult, or anything of the sort. I am simply ignorant of the subject matter. That being stated, here is the question:
Why did you believe that you would be successful in running a business or had the proper temperament and disposition for business?
I am very curious as to your reply, and once again, no attacks here, I just want to understand your thought process. Perhaps with that disclosure others may benefit form your unfortunate experience.
FuwaFuwaUsagi
Franchise Due Diligence
I am going to go through this in some detail.
1. And the disclosures from people were not true.
Of course they might not be true.
2. Or what if the lawyer you went to didn't guide you well or disclose the important facts of the UFOC.
Use a qualified lawyer.
3. My husband and I visited several of the businesses we were interested in. What if the company disclosed an icon in the business was there and in truth wasn't? What if the company is so new everyone is still in the honeymoon stage. Which many were.
Here is my question: if I told you that everyone was a honeymoon franchisee, would you have listened? The answer is: no.
4. So many of the people we had called disclosed to us everything was going great for them. I know of one club a lady did do killer due diligence. Like me asked many guestions only to be lied to. What if the company stops answering your phone calls only to talk to my husband who related everything looks good?
That is why you hire and accept the recommendations of someone who has proven skill in turning people away from crappy deals.
5. Are we all lazy is all the lies they told us our fault? Now after we closed I have been doing killer due diligence. After a year there is more information out there. If we had all the information today we would have never signed.
This is nonsense. All of the information that you needed to avoid this piece of crap was before: you ignored it's relevance because this piece of crap meet all of your criteria.
6. After all of this I did do due diligence about the mangerial contract they offered us to find out many who did were screwed even more. I do not want to have anything to do with this company now. They have hurt too many people. Instead of looking or even considering them taking over our club I decided I couldn't trust them. I have never been lazy ever. I believe our mistake was we put our trust into people who are crooks.
Trust is not the issue - verification is. You failed to verify - you lost all your money. The business world is full of venal scum who masquerade as reasonable business people.
You did not buy the appropriate level of business insurance and your dream burnt down.
Oh well. Move on.
7. A good business or business person discloses material facts that would ultimately effect your decision to sign or not to sign. Sure there were things we could of done better but misrepresentation are lies period. Anything that induces you into signing a contract that isn't true is against the law and normally voids the contract in most business transactions. Let me remind you many who decided to do this were professionals and successful in raising their families and had money to spend on a new business.
Purchase the services of people who have proven abilities to spot lies. And then listen to their advice.
8. Did it ever occur to you many of the phone numbers on our UFOC they gave us the club's phone numbers and it was impossible to reach them since they went out of business. I even asked direct guestions to the sales rep like: What kind of people are at the top? The sales rep said he was a Christian like I am. I asked him is Brooksy the CEO a Christian man? He said yes. He lied. That was important to me to see if the people at the top had values like me.
Uh, get a gripe. What is chuckle bunny going to say: no, I am not a Christian, I am an Islamic terrorist who is going to rip you a new one?
9. I will not take responsibily for their misrepresentations, fraud and non-disclosures. What I have learned here is due diligence involves time to see if they are liers. By the way the lady that I know did killer due diligence signed the franchise agreement. Lazy is not the issue here.
The simplest form of due diligence -something that I have preached over at franchise-chat.com- is to work for the company for 6 months.
See how it goes.
Learn.
Learn, and by the way did I say "learn"?
10. We do not think like the zor who is bad. We trust because we can be trusted. Do we trust now? No.
This is just the opposite side of the same mistake you made earlier. Verification or evidence is what counts, trusting or not trusting is irrelevant.
11. To carry due diligence further it takes time and money. We should of never opened after the build out. It ate most of our working capital. We felt trapped. Like so many did. Lazy is not the issue here!!
Time and money, eh. With everything at stake, did you need heed the words of Cromwell "I beseech you Lords, think of what if your are wrong." Or words to that effect, just before the English Civil war.
I have been harsh here, and it is not out of disrespect to you as a person.
I have been harsh in the hopes that it will serve as a beacon to others.
Michael Webster PhD LLB
Franchise News
You are right
You have to understand that the average person does not have your intellect. You went to law school and I didn't. I have learned alot from you Michael. I can't express the gratitude of what you have taught me. All I have learned here is in a matter of 3 weeks or so. How many years of college did you go through? I have learned you go into business with the attitude to prepare for the worst and work hard. Which I believe I did work hard. I regret we didn't get out sooner. My writing on this sight is because I still want to warn people and send them to people like you who are professionals that will protect them from themselves. Do people need representation in buying a franchise? Absolutely!
I am a people person and
I love to excercise. I have managed to raise 5 children on my own successfully. I always believed running a household was like running a business. I have been in sales most of my life. Customer service is my forte. I know how to develop a sense of community and I know I accomplished it in my club. I just got off the phone with many of my members to see how they were doing. They all miss our club. We all had fun. I still believe if we were not associated with 123 fit we could of made it. From the beginning we got robbed on the build out. Which was our demise. I am a business women and have worked hard all my life. I have to admit this bad experience has made me even more cautious. Which is good. I haven't given up. I will make lemonade out of lemons. I have a plan of action which I am not able to disclose at this time. I believe if I did it my way it would of worked out. The zor gouged us from the beginning in which I immediately stopped trusting the company. As far as running a business yes I still believe I can do it. With the help of other business women I have been talking I have a plan. Which down the road when it happens I will share with you. I have been here to learn from very smart professionals. Thank you.
The Road to DD Damascus...
...must have been quite something for you Michael.
You know full well that perfect DD does not predict, avoid or protect against a franchisor who decided to increase their post-contract opportunism by:
- selling out to a real bloodsucker...
- appointing his moron son as president...
- awarding his loyal regional rep your high-performing store...
- needing to goose the stock price...
- or [101 other overreaching behaviors]
DD is important yes.
But it is simply a placebo to paper over and the more accurate observation: There is no way to control post-sale investment risk because you have almost NO control over what CHANGES.
Do unbelievably rational due diligence so you can choose your favourite trademark slot machine.
Les Stewart MBA
Understanding Franchising
Once again, "Christian" values
Guest wrote:The sales rep said he was a Christian like I am. I asked him is Brooksy the CEO a Christian man? He said yes. He lied. That was important to me to see if the people at the top had values like me.
Just this morning, there was a TV segment on the Frank case . In recent years, we have heard that Ken Lay was a good Christian (son of a preacher and trustee of his church), Bernie Ebbers of WorldCom fame was a deacon in his church before he got sentenced to 25 years in prison, and Richard Scrushy not only got religion fast, but made a demonstration of attending a church whose racial demographics matched the jury pool which ultimately acquitted him.
And of course, there is franchising's own Christian-In-Chief, Jim Amos.
I'm involved in a franchise litigation right now where the parties who committed awful acts got a glowing letter from Rev. Calvin Butts (of the influential Abysinnian Baptist Church) a few days after they gave a "tithe" out of the business checking account.
Christ hung out with hookers and lepers, and said that his Kingdom was not of this world. With all respect for Guest's faith, I would suggest that when any religious figure is trotted out to demonstrate one's piety in a business venture: hold on to your wallet.
Webster apparently feels that Oliver Cromwell is too risque and cleaned up the quote, so I shall give you the actual quote:
"I beseech thee, from the bowels of Christ, consider that you may be mistaken."
Cromwell, about as God-fearing a man that ever lived, went on to massacre more than a few Christians who made the mistake of being Roman Catholic, but that's a topic you can discuss with an Irish historian.
Thank you, Michael.
You have once again put flame to candle.
The serious nature of the world, indeed the franchise world, requires attentiveness to adult responsibilities. There is no free ride that I know of.
Nick Bibby is a franchise consultant and principal of the Bibby Group.
Cromwell was simply getting even
for the Spanish Inquisition.
If you are a student of the Inquisition, you can appreciate franchise agreements. Apostacy if a burning offense (in every religion, not just Cathilicism). Incipient apostacy, if not corrected ,blooms into the unspeakable. That's what every franchise agreement that is competently drafted says. The difference is that the enforcers don't wear those funny clothes anymore.--
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
Apostasy citation
Solomon is correct and there is a lot of anecdotal evidence, but the only reported case I am aware of is Garry Rogers Motors v. Subaru , [(1999) FCA 903] an Australian case where the apostate franchisee repented but the court held that the "loss of confidence would not necessarily be overcome by a change in attitude."
Even the Inquisition let you live if you repented-- but franchising is a tough world.
If anyone knows of similar 'apostasy' cases or news articles, please post.
Paul Steinberg
Franchisee Attorney, New York City, Ph: 212-529-5400
It is about risk
If we totally understood the risk we wouldn't have moved forward. Especially at our age. Baby boomers listen please listen. I believe the baby boomers will be and are the main target. Anybody who has worked hard and are wise with their money will have something. They won't go after someone who doesn't have money would they? Would I buy another franchise. No!!!! If ever I had the opportunity maybe a zor. Not a bad one. I would work with the zee to be successful. And I'd mean it. I want to prove that nice guys can get ahead. I haven't done too shabby until now. I may not have a 50 million dollar mansion but that isn't my priority. Everyone is different. That is why I don't understand someone who has billions messing over people. Just for grins I tried to spend 109 million on paper. It was hard work. And that includes paying for zees to march in Washington D.C. and setting up a committee to have people tell their stories and throw out one-sided UFOC's. Like 20 year zee says ethics is replaced with GREED! So sad but true. Would being a zor be a risk. Yes. But people who feel they are being treated right and they feel your on their side tend to work harder. The money would come slower. Slower and steady eventually will build a successful company. Ripping off the hand that feeds you, (the zees) will only give you fast money. You need to build a strong foundation before selling your system. People are more apt to buy your zee if they see happy, successful zees. Than seeing 1000's of lawsuits on the internet and so many unhappy zees. This is just common sense and it doesn't take a college grad to know this. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar!!! The problem with the bad zors when they sell you on their franchise you really blieve their giving you honey and when you taste it, it's vinegar.
DD and Fitness Business
At the risk of being whacked by Fuwa, I suggest that any fitness business has to solve the commitment problem: how do you get individuals to commit to exercising on a regular basis?
Michael Webster PhD LLB
Franchise News
Post Sale Opportunism
Les; Your observations are entirely accurate. Post sale, you must rely upon the strength of the IndFA and the relevant law of good faith.
Many times these are very thin reeds.
But you are correct in outlining the possible dangers in the post sale relationship.
Where you and I differ is in the range of these dangers. I don't believe that every franchisor maximizes the potential financial rape after the sale.
I think that some franchisors are interested in collaboration with their franchisees - but I could be wrong.
Michael Webster PhD LLB
Franchise News
I agree with you
I was giving a short version of the story. The sales rep and I talked many times about his life. It was after many conversations the subject of what we believe came up. It was casual and not as blunt as the story above. As a business women I never believe in hard selling. Or even using sales techniques to sway people to buy a house or a gym membership. I try in a quiet way to introduce myself and get to know them. Since I am a people person I am interested in them and I ask guestions about their families, work etc. As far as the sales rep for the company I try to develop a friendship first so he will be more open with me. Yes I am a Christian but in business I never use that to try to get someone to allow me to sell their house or buy a gym membership. In my own life I know when someone tells me they are a Christian doesn't make them the greatest person in the world. I simply was trying to see what kind of people at the top were like. And your right there was no way I could known unless I got to know them.We're all just people and Christians can be as bad as anyone else. Yet it was important to me to try to see what kind a people were at the top.
123 Fit...that's Schaden (Quiznos) other company!!
Hi Do Diligence,
I'm assuming you new that this concept (123 Fit) was/is owned by the Schaden family, correct. And I'm assuming you knew of their "other" business (Quiznos....or as others refer to it here as Quiznoose). I feel bad for you. I own a Quiznos and it was the most god awful decision I ever made in my life. One lie after the other. I have posted on here a few times the facts of rising food costs, predatory business practices etc and I hope you will continue to post your experiences. As the saying goes.....the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!!
"Don't get into bed with the sandwich devil"
It is the only business
that allows businesses to lie. (Misrepresent, not disclose material facts and commit fraud and get away with it!) You would need a court stenographer to get all their lies recorded. When you ask to put their disclosures in writing they say it is against government regulations. To be safe do not sign. Again I say do not sign.
The Commitment Problem...
The "commitment problem" as you state is not actually the problem. It is the practices of most fitness businesses that is the problem. Honesty for one is a term that has been lacking in this business for a over 30 years. Customer service is the other. Many owners are committed to making the sale and when it is sold that owner does nothing to keep that sale (or relationship).
If you want to solve the commitment problem than you need to begin in your own backyard. When someone gives you their money that should be the beginning of a beautiful relationship but more often than not that owner forgets the customer's name after the check has been written. I'm not saying that you need to be every customers best friend but you do need to show that you care about them.
The fitness business has always been a sales oriented industry and is finally figuring out that it is better to re-sell an existing customer than to go find other ones. You still need to keep up your marketing efforts because of attrition but when you create a community where people can come for real advice, friendship and a sense of belonging then you have solved the commitment problem.
What do you mean by whacked by Fuwa?
Please explain.
I saw many successful stories in my club. Including my own. Women and men in a short time. I had contest that people thrived on. People can be very competitive. I lost the most weight to try to be an example. It was fun. Last summer I saw growth in my club. I live in Washington state and wonder if the weather has alot to do with people not showing up to the club. Your right Michael many people are not dedicated to exercise. Since my club closed I have been grieving the relationships of the people I had developed. The one's that are dedicated I still call. They can't believe I have stopped. But like in many things in life it runs in cycles. When I allow myself to stop greiving I know I'll continue my regular routine. I have to admit the fitness business is one of the worst investments. Because in all truth people would rather eat than exercise. Doesn't mean I miss the relationships and the fun I had. I loved it. Commitment is something you can't teach just like you can't teach someone to care. To care about yourself enough to exercise will always be the fitness business challenge.
The Commitment Problem...
The "commitment problem" as you state is not actually the problem. It is the practices of most fitness businesses that is the problem. Honesty for one is a term that has been lacking in this business for a over 30 years. Customer service is the other. Many owners are committed to making the sale and when it is sold that owner does nothing to keep that sale (or relationship).
If you want to solve the commitment problem than you need to begin in your own backyard. When someone gives you their money that should be the beginning of a beautiful relationship but more often than not that owner forgets the customer's name after the check has been written. I'm not saying that you need to be every customers best friend but you do need to show that you care about them.
The fitness business has always been a sales oriented industry and is finally figuring out that it is better to re-sell an existing customer than to go find other ones. You still need to keep up your marketing efforts because of attrition but when you create a community where people can come for real advice, friendship and a sense of belonging then you have solved the commitment problem.
Rocco Castellano is the co-founder of askROCCO Media, which provides boot camps, seminars, media content and online fitness services at askROCCO.com. He is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine and has written "askROCCO Uncensored v1," available at bookstores everywhere.
In-Term Opportunism
Michael,
I certainly agree that there are few levers available to the individual single-unit franchisee within the term of the agreement.
Of course, there might be an alternate explanation as to why some observers are so keen to call groups of people "stupid" or "lazy":
Maybe the only investors going into franchising are those that lack a specific ability to see and gauge a specific type of business vulnerability (franchisor opportunism).
They are, basically, unskilled at discerning predatory possibilities. But they have a 2nd handicap: They are unaware of their lack of skills. (unskilled and unaware)
These are not incompetent people, overall. Indeed they may be exceptional operating managers with a long track record of success within corporations or small business.
What they find in the franchising environment is a depth and breadth of business risk that is entirely foreign to their experience, training or education.
They don't miss the risks by 5 or 10%: They miss their projections by 70 to 80%.
Plumbing v. Electricity
- they expect to be running an plumbing type operation: (predictable, visible, reliable, incremental, tactile, proven)
- instead, they end up with is an electrical type of business (unpredictable, often fatal, prone to catching fire, and at the least, bloody shocking!)
Lots of people tinker with plumbing. Not many do-it-yourselfers are installing their own 200 amp service at their home.
Franchising is powerful because it acts as an electronic form of business. That "ability to do work" can be too much for those not prepared for its currency.
You get "turned onto" and then "plugged into" franchising and it changes your nervous system.
Ask anyone.
Les Stewart MBA
Understanding Franchising
People at the top
One of the difficulties in franchising is that the "people at the top" can change in an instant. Just look at the recent alarm over Jim Amos becoming involved in Tasti-d-Lite.
I don't know that there is an answer to this problem. After all, the nature of the franchise relationship is such that there must be a significant amount of discretion available to the franchisor. When the zor is led by an honorable management team, the discretionary authority is not an issue.
But when that changes...
DD and Fitness Business
You CANT! Even when they commit to a year long membership they still dont commit, they will default on their fees. The average person would rather EAT, DRINK, and COMPLAIN about being fat. And they will continue to look for that easy weight loss idea. Most of them will spend a fortune on gastric bypass, lipo suction or the latest fad diets but do not want to exercise because they dont want to spend $19, $29 or $39 a month to exercise. I guess the only way to get them to commit would be to offer gift cards/coupons to restaurants for every time they can show up and workout!
123 FIT
Typically franchises fail because: (1) the owner fails to do proper due diligence before purchasing the franchise, (2) doesn't adequately follow the operating procedures required by the franchisor, or (3) can't / won't allocate the funds necessary to be successful.
Unfortunately, many who fail have a tendency to blame anyone but themselves. Making a franchise successful is hard work and success isn't guaranteed. There are 3 people in my immediate family, including myself, who have different franchises that are successful. Did they have problems - yes. Were they able to overcome the problems by looking for ways to solve the problems rather then excuses why there were problems - yes.
My franchise happens to be a 123 FIT location and it is doing just fine, thank you. I have had no problem dealing with the corporate office, having messages returned timely, and getting answers to any questions I've posed. I consider myself of average intelligence but strong on persistence, perseverance, and a willingness to work long hours to accomplish my goals. In other words, I do not take "no" for an answer
For those of you wanting to unload a Quiznos or a 123 FIT franchise, leave your contact information on a subsequent message and I will be happy to discuss a proposal with you. There appear to be opportunities for both of us.
Don't forget the other 2 devils.
Fitness devil, and now SmashBurger. Burger devil.
Yes I knew
I cannot imagine how anyone could hurt people like the Schaden's. How can they sleep ay night? I am thankful I am not like them. There are two things I hate. People who lie to me. People who say their going to do something and don't do it. I believe they wanted us to fail because our club was two blocks from Mircrosoft. They have their own exclusive fitness center with all the whistles and bells. Sure our club got some of their employees but it wasn't enough to keep us going. I'm sorry you opened a Quiznoose. I know what you are going through. It pains me that the hard working people of our country is loosing so much. We paid our dues and to fall into this mess. I wish you well and I hope you manage to deal with the stress of having a business under very evil people. I have to fight not to get bitter. I don't want to live a miserable existance. Richard Solomon is right about us zees getting together and fighting. But first I have to get myself well before I can help anyone. Which I am trying. I have dreams of starting a committee in Washington D.C. so all the fallen zee's can tell our government their stories and get those one sided UFOC's thrown out. I still don't think the average citizen understands killer due diligence. Some don't even know there are franchise lawyers. All I can do is write and warn people about evil zors in hopes they will be saved from finanancial hell.
Michael writes:
Michael writes:
At the risk of being whacked by Fuwa
My reply:
Michael, there just is something very unsettling about two guys engaged in a discussion talking about wacking each other...
Levity aside, you are correct both correct and incorrect in regard to fitness centers. Several of the more successful models are based on the idea that the fall-off rate will be closer to 70%. You can spot these models because they tend to either charge large upfront and low monthly fees or low teaser rates that lock you into a contract. If you look at the space and the membership you can normally tell they expect a huge drop out rate because they simply do not have the equipment to service the client base. What I am getting at is some models that I do not care to associate myself with, "count" on the drop out rate and figure profits on it.
On the other hand, there are techniques to retention. It is not as hard as it seems you just have to understand psychology and the difference between how people act and decide on an individual level, how the react in a group setting, and how they respond in intimate group settings (that is raw meat dangling for a fancy-dancy PhD type like ya’ll in decision theory). In fact it is the same problem/solution facing the "Dinner by Design" "me too" concepts. You have to design a retention system, you have to learn how to target market and how to screen a potential client. In other words you need to find people predisposed to your retention/reward/motivation system. In order to do that you have to assure yourself the pool you are drawing from has the requisite base, and you either have the financial assets to build your client base slowly, or you know how to reach the market.
Note, however, I remain committed to my belief that there is very little value innate franchise value in either of these concepts. In essence: roll your own.
FuwaFuwaUsagi
"Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers."
123 fit
Then why didnt you buy the 30 franchises that have closed. Let me see AZ, CA, WA, NV, CO, TX (I am sure Broosky Smith would have sold those to you cheap), oh yes, FL, MA, UT, NC, SC, MO, TN,.....Um so many that were available. Did I leave any out? Lets face it, I dont have enough room to list all the Quzinos you could pick up cheap!
I wonder if you will still be open next year. LOL
Off Topic
This comment has been moved here.
In business it is about building relationships.
I remember one of our members who is a lawyer who stormed in our club and strongly commented, "I am here to work out and that is all. I don't want to talk to anyone." (Speaking about me because I have been told I can talk to anyone. Plus people use to joke in my office that I could probably call the President of the United States and ask to speak to Laura.) I took it personally because my husband isn't a talker. I am. To make a long story short I just talked to other's around her. Soon she was laughing and joking and having a good time. It didn't take a long before we couldn't stop her from talking to me. Soon she told me all her problems and I know her whole life. We developed a good friendship in a short time. To develope any good business it is about relationships. If you show people you are interested in them and what they have to say they will love you. She even told me if I could tear down her walls I could tear down anyones walls. I am a southern California gal and people are more out going there. People here are more private and to themselves. I found it interesting our club attracted more out of state people. The people who joined who lived here all their lives they eventually did talk and laugh with all of us. I believe in making business fun and not work.
This is a ridiculous response
When the average person invests their life savings, time and energy they should be able to receive at least an average return on that investment, never mind ever getting rich. The average 123 Fit or Quiznos franchise owner has no chance of ever getting even a decent return on investment, even though they put up all of the money, followed the prescribed system to the letter, and worked their business as a hands on owner. If they were lucky they got out reasonably clean financially speaking, although very few did so. I can tell you from personal experience and a very in depth knowledge of both of these franchise systems, that the deck was always stacked against the owner. To say otherwise demonstrates either a lack of knowledge of the franchise companies in question or worse an intent to deceive on the part of the blogger. In the very best of scenarios these are cases where the best franchise owners are purchasing low paying jobs. Since the brands now have a poor reputation in the business community the brand equity they hoped to get upon resale is also non-existent. Would you invest $200,000 plus sign unlimited personal gaurantees for lease payments, future royalties etc.. if you knew these things going in?
