Franchise slavery?
Today’s franchises are much alike to set a code of conduct. Whereas ages ago there were knights’ code, chevaliers’ code, mason code or just gentlemen code it has transformed for today.
It’s the franchisor who dictates the franchisee all the way he should perform the business.
Is it good or bad? Does he have the rights to do so or is it humans’ rights violation.
I think neither. Just the same as knights from Middle Ages you have the right to choose the franchise you like most. You could start your business with your confederates – the guy thinking just the same way you do. And nobody forces you to do the things you don’t like. You just have to choose properly…
By the way I wanted to write a message concerning smoking. I’ve found the information that last month Marriott International Inc., the large U.S. franchise hotel chain, is banning smoking in all its U.S. and Canadian facilities. The new policy includes all guest rooms, restaurants, lounges, meeting rooms, public space and employee work areas. Currently more than 90 percent of Marriott guest rooms are non-smoking. The information seemed interesting to me and I decided to make a little research of franchises that are prohibiting smoking.
I’ve found a lot of companies (mostly hotels and restaurants) that are struggling against smoking.
McDonalds has adopted a non-smoking policy for all modern restaurants in 1993. This existing non-smoking policy was adopted by most of its franchises.
The Spudulike Group has had a no smoking policy in all its managed stand alone restaurant units. This policy is directly linked to the fresh and healthy nature of the core baked potato products.
The Hard Rock Café in the US has a no smoking policy as it’s the law. Whatever the law is for that particular country Hard Rock goes with that.
The Wagamama chain is smoke free throughout its 21 UK restaurants.
Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut, has announced that all of their restaurants will be smoke-free by the 17th of August. The company operates 1,200 KFC and 1,675 Pizza Hut restaurants across the country. They are also encouraging their franchise owners to adopt the same policy for the nearly 4,200 franchised restaurants.
Hmm… I wonder if they are doing so just because they really think that way… Or they are moved to that by franchisors.
Anyway as I’m no-smoking-supporter I like they way the franchise system changes the world.