The press can get it wrong but a franchising company shouldn't!

Posted Thu, 2006/11/02 - 20:52 by Jim Coen

Recently I posted at my blog here at Blue MauMau on 10-26-06, “Window franchise steps in to protect its brand”, the information was picked up from an article published in the Charlotte Observer. The article clearly stated on more than one occaision that Windows Depot was a franchise system.

Fransynergy pointed out and my subsequent research revealed that Windows Depot was a distribution system that had licensee agreements rather than franchise agreements. It’s not all that uncommon for the press to get wrong which company is a franchise, a chain or a licensee.

The franchise trade should get it right though, think again. A couple of days ago I received a solicitation to advertise during the holidays on the Franchise Solutions website. Franchise Solutions is one of the myriad of franchise “portals” (www.franchisesolutions.com) that sell advertising to franchisors. Part of the text of the email stated:

Just look at these examples of new business owners that submitted leads on the Franchise Solutions' Network over the July 4th weekend!

SOLD! Phil Grochmal, Business Alliance Franchisee: Submitted his lead on July 4, 2006 through our CareerBuilder Franchise Center.

I am familiar with Business Alliance since I am an affiliate. Business Alliance is not a franchise, never was never will be. The above example is only one of three examples they showed one was a franchise the other was presented as an affilation.

For Franchise Solutions to represent that Business Alliance sold a franchise in its advertising is just plain wrong. I sent an email to Franchise Solutions and have not heard back as of yet.

Remember they call themselves Franchise Solutions, is selling advertising more important than the public trust?

In the world of franchise advertising “caveat emptor” reads loud and clearm, watch out even if the word "franchise" is in the title of the "portal".

This is one of the reasons that Blue MauMau is as valuable as it is.

Mr. Blue MauMau respects the public trust through open dialog.

A forum with open dialog earns the public trust.

Franchise topic:
- buy

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About Jim Coen

Public Profile

With 30 years of franchise, marketing, and entrepreneurial experience, Jim Coen has developed key skills in communications, marketing, management, and franchisee/franchisor relations.

Coen took over as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Dunkin' Donuts Independent Franchise Owners (DDIFO,Inc.) on December 1, 2008. Prior to that he has been a director of and the Clerk for the DDIFO board since May, 2008. Recently Jim and DDIFO entered into an employment agreement that will run thru November 2012.

Coen served as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Coalition of Franchisee Associations, a group of franchisee associations leaders that includes: Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, Little Caesars, Meinieke, Super Cuts, Hardees, Subway, Buffalo Wild Wings, and JD Byrider.

For over 6 years Coen served on the Board of Directors for the New England Franchise Association, an association that is dedicated to sharing best practices to franchise professionals in New England.

For over 20 years Jim worked with Super Coups. Super Coups is a MA based direct mail franchise business to business opportunity.

Jim successfully marketed franchises for Super Coups as well as Uniglobe Travel Northeast a travel franchise, Merry Maids a maid cleaning franchise, & Emack & Bolio an Ice Cream franchise, where he was also a franchisee.

In addition to his interests in franchising Mr. Coen serves as a member of the Board of Directors for The Bridge Center, a facility in Southeastern Massachusetts that supports families by providing children with special needs the opportunity to build social, emotional, and physical skills so they may participate fully in their communities.

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