Diversified Health & Fitness Responds
April 22, 2009 by Sean Kelly
Filed under 1-2-3 FIT, DIVERSIFIED HF
In yesterday’s post on the acquisition of the 1-2-3 FIT franchise chain (1-2-3 FIT Sold to Diversified Health), I pointed out that Fort Lauderdale-based Diversified Health & Fitness has been aggressively buying up the assets of dead, dying and severely wounded franchised fitness chains.
Two years of writing about and commiserating with the franchisees of these chains has left me both hopeful that Diversified HF is genuinely dedicated to helping these franchisees, and fearful that they’re not.
I concluded with an invitation to Diversified Health & Fitness to respond to my rather cynical musings, which they quickly did with the following statement.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your blog post. With your permission, we would like to have a sign made quoting the first line of your post* to hang above our door. Very amusing.
To be perfectly candid, yes, we have been very active in acquiring the franchise contracts of struggling franchisors. In today’s market, franchise sales have become a difficult prospect in all franchise industries, leaving many franchisors in the unenviable position of being forced to cut back on support to cover their own overhead. This leaves many otherwise innocent franchisees in the lurch with little or no support from the system into which they made a significant investment. These people deserve better.
This is where we step in. We, like the franchisees before us, make a significant investment of our own and acquire the assets and the franchise contracts of the struggling system. We use the know-how of our teams of marketing, operations, real estate, and financial experts to do everything in our power to work with the acquired franchisees to strengthen their business operations. Our motto is “your success is our success,” meaning that the better our franchisees perform, the better we will perform as a company.
Our philosophy is that, in order to be a good franchisor, we need to be a good parent. In being a good parent, we strive to provide our franchisees with the tools it takes to be successful business people. While it is unfortunate that some of our acquired franchises are in the process of winding down when we take over, we still do everything we can to resuscitate them. Though it may not be reflected on your site and others like it, we have reams of letters and e-mails from our franchisees praising our efforts.
I can assure you that there is no “role playing” when it comes to our acquisitions. All of our transactions have been at arms length and have been very thoughtfully, if not contentiously, negotiated. I believe anyone who has had the pleasure of dealing with our acquisition team can attest to that.
Lastly, we certainly do not see ourselves as donning a billowing cloak and scythe with DHF stenciled across our back. Rather, we prefer to see ourselves as the “savior,” to use your words, breathing life back into systems that have seen hard times. If we can be successful at this, we see a great opportunity when the economy rebounds as the parents of twelve fitness chains soundly planted in freshly potted soil.
I hope this gives you and your readers some insight into our business. Thank you again for this opportunity.
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* Old Fitness Franchises Never Die, They Just Get Acquired by Diversified Health & Fitness.
Graphic: Diversified Health & Fitness
Why Franchise Times is Essential Reading
March 26, 2009 by Sean Kelly
Filed under > FRANCHISE DUE DILIGENCE, x Franchise 101, x Franchise Marketing, x General, x Insider Tips, x Marketing
I’m a fan of the Franchise Times magazine and the people who publish it. I consider it essential reading for franchisors, franchisees and, perhaps especially, prospective franchisees. Franchise Times is an inside-the-industry publication and, as such, gives a much truer picture of what’s really happening in franchising. You won’t find Franchise Times on the newsstand, but it’s readily available by subscription or by accessing the Franchise Times website.
Newsstand Entrepreneurial Press: Hype, Fluff… or Fraud?
Tuesd
ay I was quoted in the Wall Street Journal about my motivation for creating the controversial UnhappyFranchisee.com blog:
Mr. Kelly says he was put off by the promotional hype he had read in the franchise trade press about numerous concepts. “Almost nobody was writing anything bad,” he says, “and I wanted to give those with negative experiences a voice.”
Actually, “franchise trade press” was a poor choice of words.
Some interpreted that as a slam on FT, which it wasn’t. I was actually referring to the newsstand entrepreneurial and small business opportunities magazines that target prospective first-time business owners. These magazines portray a small business fantasyland where lovely, energetic entrepreneurs all enjoy personal fulfillment and reap huge financial rewards as owners of their very own pooper scooper, chewing gum removal, home mailbox decorating and mobile pet repair franchises.
As a marketing guy, I don’t mind a bit of fluff or some well-crafted spin now and then. And I’m certainly sensitive to the need to create an editorial environment that’s conducive to the needs of ones advertisers. But these newsstand entrepreneurial publications & their much-touted Hottest Franchise! rankings push - if not cross - the line between spin and fraud.
These magazines portray a small business fantasyland where lovely, energetic entrepreneurs all enjoy personal fulfillment and reap huge financial rewards as owners of their very own pooper scooper, chewing gum removal, home mailbox decorating and mobile pet repair franchises.
The Dangers of Newsstand Hype
For example, a couple of years ago these publications hyped the ebay drop-off store concept as the hot new franchise opportunity. Entrepreneur magazine named the largest, iSold It, as the #1 new franchise opportunity of 2007. At the same time, iSold It franchise owners sent us proof that more than 60 franchisees had already failed, that many had defaulted on their $200,000 loans and were losing their homes, and the franchisor itself was teetering on the verge of bankruptcy. Yet the printing presses were still pumping out the exciting success story for people ready to dream the impossible dream. (Read: Is iSoldit a Great Franchise Opportunity?)
iSold ceased franchising shortly after we (or rather their franchisees) broke the story. Most of the stores have closed. The owner is reportedly enjoying his $2M house. The only press the ex-franchisees are getting is their nameless inclusion in the loan default and home foreclosure statistics on CNN. (Read: iSold It Dropped from Entrepreneur 500, Loses Top New Franchise Crown)
Entrepreneur magazine is a useful publication with a lot of good content and a large franchise directory. However, they sometimes hype both unproven, questionable, and often doomed “hot new concepts” and praise huge, heavily litigated and contentious franchise giants with nary a mention of the controversies and downsides of these undoubtedly large advertisers.
Why Franchise Times Couldn’t Get Away with That Nonsense.
Franchise Times serves the same basic advertiser base, but they couldn’t get away with such nonsense for a couple of reasons. The first is that they are based in Minnesota. Anyone who has watched Fargo knows that Minnesotans (think Marge Gunderson) are not wired for deception and, if they try, they are not good at it (think Jerry Lundegaard). In fact, part of new employee orientation at Franchise Times involves repeatedly watching Fargo, outdoor fishing and snowmobiling DVDs, and memorizing the best News From Lake Woebegone segments.
Anyone who has watched Fargo knows that Minnesotans (think Marge Gunderson) are not wired for deception and, if they try, they are not good at it (think Jerry Lundegaard).
The second reason is that Franchise Times is read by real life franchise professionals, franchisors, franchisees and service providers. While Franchise Times maintains a pleasant and upbeat tone, and is not above fluff (or, in some cases, fluffy) stories about their own pets, they also cover controversies, disputes, litigation and other challenges in franchising.
Their cover story on Quiznos a couple of years back was one of the first and most comprehensive accounts of that embattled company. They have kept tabs on the story, and updated the woes of Quiznos franchisees as recently as the current issue (Quiznos update, Quiznos weighs in). They are still the only major publication that has touched the Cuppy’s Coffee debacle (Franchise Times Recounts Cuppy’s Coffee’s “Blog Attacks,” Scoble Incident, Attacks from the blogosphere).
These are pretty bold editorial moves for a publication supported by franchisor advertising dollars. Franchise Times should be applauded [insert applause here] for being willing to cover controversial and relevant topics. Readers should encourage them to do more of it in the future.
Two Recommended Industry Events
Franchise Times also hosts two major industry events.
The Franchise Finance & Development Conference
May 4-6, 2009—The Palms, Las Vegas, NV
“The Conference is a proven educational and networking forum designed specifically for owners and executives of franchise companies who want to expand the rate of growth in their franchise systems.”
The Restaurant Finance & Development Conference
November 9-11, 2009—Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
“The Restaurant Finance & Development Conference is the largest industry event that is exclusively focused on the finance side of the restaurant business. Designed for multi-unit restaurant operators and senior executives…”
WHAT DO YOU THINK? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW.
Images: Franchise Times
Full professional disclosure: I sometimes write for Franchise Times, they sometimes write about me, I am a regular listener of A Prairie Home Companion and am part-owner of a mobile pet repair franchise.
Follow FranchisePick on TWITTER
March 18, 2009 by Sean Kelly
Filed under x General, x Insider Tips, x b5media
Do you Twitter?
If so, follow FranchisePick at @FranchisePick
Follow TopNewFranchises.com at @TopNewFranchise
Don’t Twitter yet? Dive in, it’s easy.
Sign up at Twitter.com and “follow” us… we’ll follow you back.
Twitter Graphic: VincentAbry
DO YOU TWITTER? WANT MORE FOLLOWERS? ADD YOUR TWITTER ID BELOW?
Jack in the Box Icon Hit by Bus in Viral Series
February 6, 2009 by Sean Kelly
Filed under JACK IN THE BOX, x Franchise Marketing, x Marketing
Fast food icon and head of the burger franchise mogul Jack Box has been tragically struck by a bus in the company’s current darkly comic viral video series.
The breaking news and ongoing coverage of the traumatic event is being playfully deployed through online social media outlets including YouTube, flickr, Twitter, blogs and elsewhere.
Here are the first three faux-amateur videos in the series are featured on franchise marketing blog FranchisorMarketing.com:
Jack in the Box Icon Hit by Bus: Official Statement
Jack in the Box Icon Hit by Bus: Phil Speaks Out
Jack in the Box Icon Suffers Massive Head Trauma
Feel free to leave well wishes, comments and/or criticisms for Jack in the Box and Jack Box below.
Sean Kelly is a 20 year veteran of the franchise industry, and founder of the award-winning marketing firm IdeaFarm. In 2006, he founded the FranBest franchise network, which features the top new franchises, franchise public relations and franchisee relations issues. Contact him at info[at]ideafarm.net.
Photo credit: cheetahchristina License: Creative Commons
FAIRWAY DIVORCE FRANCHISE: January is Divorce Month!
January 15, 2009 by Sean Kelly
Filed under FAIRWAY DIVORCE SOLUTIONS
According to a story on Top New Franchises, Fairway Divorce Solutions has opened a new franchise… Just in time for the bust
January divorce season!
Established in 2006, Fairway Divorce Solutions offers a first-of-its-kind alternative to the traditional system of divorce by offering “a new divorce paradigm that saves money, time, stress and protects the children. Charging a flat fee, Fairway Divorce Solutions uses a common sense step-by-step proven approach called The Fairway Process™.”
The Canadian company is growing aggressively with franchises in Victoria, BC; Edmonton, AB; two in Calgary, AB; and one in Saskatoon, SK. Expansion plans into Eastern Canada and the United States will begin in 2009.
Read more here: New Divorce Franchise Opportunity
WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
Graphic credit: FranBest
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Visit FRANBEST’s: Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and business opportunities.
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(Top New Franchises) Top New Franchises is the interactive scouting report for finding and promoting the best new and emerging franchise opportunities. If you have information about this franchise opportunity, or if you’d like to nominate or promote another new franchise opportunity, email us at info[at]ideafarm.net.
FRANWORST FRIDAY: Richard Quick, Esq. Launches Cold Stone Pizza
January 9, 2009 by Sean Kelly
Filed under :-) Humor, FRANWORST FRIDAY, PIZZA TIME
(Humor) Our story of the Pizza Time franchisee who cut off the heat on his employees outraged some, but inspired at least one. Beloved billionaire Richard Quick, Esq. has create an exciting new abuse-inspired franchise: Cold Stone Pizza.
Check out the Cold Stone Pizza announcement on Quick’s FranWorst.com site. Here’s a taste:
“American consumers love pizza. They love a bargain. And they love to see people worse off than themselves.
“Now, QuickCo Franchising has combined America’s passion for pizza, low prices and the misfortune of others into one exciting concept: Cold Stone Pizza!
“If you’re looking for a lucrative way to combine your love of money with your disregard for your fellow man, the Cold Stone Pizza franchise is the opportunity you’ve been looking for!
A flash of inspiration from Earth’s #1 millionaire-maker
What inspired this genius idea? America’s beloved millionaire Richard Quick, Esq. says “I was reading the moronic website Franchise Pick. There was a big uproar about some franchisee who makes his pizza shop employees work in sub-freezing temperatures without heat. I thought: What’s the big deal? None of these altruists were offering to pay an extra buck a pizza to heat the pizza peons. I thought: If these phonies thought they’d save 50 cents, they’d make’m work without lights, too.”
“Then the light bulb clicked on. Eureka! Another Multimillion dollar idea! ”
We abuse our employees & pass the savings on to you!
Doesn’t the public care about employee welfare? Explains Quick: “Sure they do. Until they see our 2 Large Pizzas For $4.99 Special. That’s delivered price, with choice of two toppings. The Chinese can’t offer pizzas at those prices.”
A Proven Concept Tested & Refined for Days![]()
Millionaire Quick, Esq. immediately assembled his top development team to create a lowest-cost, lowest-overhead pizza delivery franchise. They eliminated the unnecessary frills of their bloated competitors, including heat, employee bonuses, incentives and fair pay, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, toilet paper, latex gloves, hand sanitizer, and the use of motorized vehicles. Profit sharing was replaced by expense sharing, with food and supply purchases charged to employee’s personal credit cards.
The Cold Stone Pizza HR team developed innovative ways to recruit low-cost, abuse-tolerant employees, including DUI recipients, Megan’s Law honorees, illegal aliens, and former franchise brokers. Read more about the COLD STONE PIZZA FRANCHISE.
Do you have what it takes to succeed with the Cold Stone Pizza franchise?
[Disclaimer: The Cold Stone Pizza franchise is in no way affiliated with Cold Stone Creamery, wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin, or specialty retailer Cold Stones, Rocks & Stuff]
WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
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Visit FRANBEST’s: Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and business opportunities.
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Franchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not.
MONSTER MINI GOLF: Trademark Infringement Suit Has Happy Ending
January 8, 2009 by Sean Kelly
Filed under MONSTER MINI GOLF
(FranchisePick.com) A while back I asked for nominations for companies to be considered as Top New Franchises. Several
franchisees of Monster Mini Golf wrote to praise their franchisor (Read: Franchisees Are So Happy, It’s Scary). I also heard from a number of customers who raved about the indoor miniature golf concept. I called the founder, Christina Vitagliano of Providence, Rhode Island, and found her to be a caring, enthusiastic person interested in seeing her franchisees succeed.
Unfortunately, the little firm got nailed with a trademark infringement suit by the Monster Cable company while trying to attain a Federal Trademark Registration. The Consumerist reported earlier this year that how lawsuit-happy Monster Cable company had been trying to block the mini-golf chain from using their name since 2006… since the public obviously can’t discern between a haunted house-themed mini-golf attraction and an overpriced cable.
To be fair, maintaining a strong trademark protection requires companies to aggressively defend against any and all potential infringers… an endeavor with many grey areas. Luckily, a public outcry and negative backlash against Monster Cable prompted the founder of Monster Cable to send the lawyers out of the room and talk directly with Christina and her husband… after which he decided not only to drop the suit, but to pay all their legal fees and expenses. Here’s part of Christina’s website post:
First of all, we can now register our trademark, Monster Mini Golf! Secondly, Monster Cable (or more importantly, Noel) has agreed to compensate us for legal fees. And last but not least…there is NO gag order on this whole ordeal!! I think that as some companies grow everything becomes about everything else, except the humans involved. Once in a while, we need to be reminded.
We all have the ability to make our own choices. Even though he stepped outside of this battle until recently, Mr. Lee chose to allow it to happen. I do want to state that Mr. Lee, did not legally HAVE to do anything at this point. He did not have to step up to the plate, he could have gone on fighting this but it was his choice to step in. He, not his attorneys, chose to make these new decisions and well, to put it simply, that’s big!
For us, this entire ordeal has been about trademarks. While this thing has taken on a life of its own, and the world has voiced its opinions on all things MC, including the MC product line and pricing, it was only ever about trademarks for us.
Patrick and I could not have done any of this without you, the general public and we can’t thank you enough. Please feel free to email or call with any questions. Noel’s letter is below ours.
Sincerely,
Christina Vitagliano
Here’s the letter Noel Lee sent:
Christina and Patrick,
On behalf of everyone who has been involved in the trademark disagreement between our two companies, let me say that we are glad to have come to an amicable meeting of the minds. I personally want to apologize to all for not having been directly involved in this dispute, and not have taken the opportunity to meet and talk to the both of you to understand the entire situation.
It’s amazing what happens when people talk without the filter of attorneys speaking for us. In our talks, I found the both of you to be very reasonable people that are easy to talk to, understand, and resolve our differences of opinion with.
Through the many emails and communications on line, clearly we have been made out to be the bad guy. It’s unfortunate some people feel this way, because we really feel the opposite. But as they say words are cheap and so with that in mind…
We will drop any opposition to the trademark of Monster Min Golf, as well as the lawsuit that we filed against you. In addition, we will cover your attorney’s fees so you are not burdened with them as you go forward in pursuing your business.
I will say that this is a landmark kind of situation, as public opinion wins over what is the right thing to do for trademark protection of a famous mark. We have made the decision that public opinion, and that of our valued customers is more important than the letter of the law that requires us to prevent the dilution of our mark risk losing it.
I’ve also learned that attorneys sometimes miss the human element of a situation, and that the law is the law, and frankly that are paid to interpret it for us as business people who are not as knowledgeable in these areas. It was a pleasure to be able to speak to both of you personally, and to understand each other as people, entrepreneurs, all in the same boat, working hard to grow and develop our businesses and provide value for our customers.
Although we can’t unwind the clock and we agree to disagree on some of the actions taken by both parties, there’s a lot of water under the bridge. Like everyone today, we have continued challenging economic times ahead of us. It’s time to focus on our businesses, our employees and their families and prepare for the times ahead.
I wish the best of luck to Monster Mini Golf in the future .
Noel
Founder, Monster Cable
Nice job, Noel. Great to see a company leader acting like one.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
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FEATURED STORY:
TanWorld: Creating the Next-Generation Tanning Salon Franchise
OVERVIEW Interview with Tanworld V.P. Bob McQuillan
Visit FRANBEST’s: Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and business opportunities.
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Franchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not.
PIZZA TIME: Whistleblower Gets Fired
January 6, 2009 by Sean Kelly
Filed under :-) Humor, PIZZA TIME, x Franchisees From Hell
Whistleblower Dan Baxter didn’t get heat, but he did get fired.
According to a report by King 5’s Jesse Jones, the Pizza Time employee who contacted the press about the owners forcing
employees to work without heat has been terminated. According to franchise owner and husband-of-the-boss Luke Benjamin, the firing was “amicable” (meaning that the Benjamins won’t contest Baxter’s unemployment compensation application).
While whistleblower stories make for great drama, don’t look for Russell Crowe to portray Dan Baxter any time soon. The employee, who was already suspended, not only initiated and starred in Jones’ initial story, he actively fanned the flames of outrage that ensued with aggressive posting of Internet comments against his employers. Once the story rose to fever pitch, Baxter seemingly tried to cash in on his 15 minutes of fame. In one comment left on the first Pizza Time post on FranchisePick.Com, Baxter wrote:
daniel baxter
Jan 3, 2009 at 5:33 pm
I am the manager of that store and the one seen on king 5 (go to king5.com) and was fired over this any donations (money, job offers, legal aid) would be appreciated contact king 5 or email me [deleted] I am not the only worker who has been suspended or fired over this.
Baxter was an active participant in the 300+ comment discussion that followed the original King 5 story. Many of the comments called for a boycott and picketing of the much-maligned pizza shop. In one comment, Dan Baxter posted his email address as P-O-P-E@[withheld].net. Coincidentally, an active commenter named POPE posted a humorously awkward extortion attempt on the King 5 site:
At this point our advice to the owners is to offer them employees especially Dan and John a settlement and don’t think that it will work unless it is in the 10s of thousands. Unlawful punishment of an employee for complaining about a safety hazard(cold) is against the law. Check the regulations. Harassing workplace is a class action lawsuit. On top of all that employee/employer confidentiallity was violated by the owner when she aired dirty laundry publicly that is now widespread on the internet. Lawsuit again and john has a liable/defamation of character suit because he has no criminal record. Not to mention a lawsuit for keeping employee tips. If you want to save your business settle this quickly before it ends up in the courts. Dan is an employee of 10 years. That is a career employee. Has anyone ever seen a lawsuit where an employer is ordered to pay an employee for the rest of his life. What a can of worms.
With phrases like “Harassing workplace is a class action lawsuit” and “a liable/defamation of character suit,” one would hope that POPE’s not planning a career impersonating attorneys.
With lines like “…offer them employees especially Dan and John a settlement and don’t think that it will work unless it is in the 10s of thousands” and “If you want to save your business settle this quickly…” a career as an extortionist is probably out, too.
Though prison does have one advantage: Free heat.
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Also read: Franchise Pick: Franchisee From Hell! Awards: Luke Benjamin, Pizza Time, Franchise Pick: Can the Lacey Pizza Time be Saved from Itself? What do you Think?, BizLevity: Dirty Franchising, The Sequel, They Had The (Pizza) Time Of Their Lives , Leadership Turn: Leaders From Hell Win Award, The Seattle Traveller: Lacey Pizza Time Feels the Heat but Employees Don’t, Small Business Boomers: Boss From Hell? Or Frustrated, Cost-Conscious Employer?, BrandCurve: Pizza Time, or Hypothermia Time?
WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
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Visit FRANBEST’s: Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and business opportunities.
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Franchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not.
PIZZA TIME: BrandCurve Offers Crisis Management Tips
January 6, 2009 by Sean Kelly
Filed under PIZZA TIME, x Franchise Marketing, x Franchisees From Hell, x Marketing
The story of the Lacey, WA Pizza Time franchise owner who supposedly made its employees work without heat has quickly become a case study in PR crisis management. The pizza shop owners have been vilified by hundreds of angry comments online, and threatened with boycotts and picket lines. Neither the franchisees nor the corporate office has issued a statement nor responded in any meaningful way.
The business guru bloggers of b5 Media’s Bizzia channel have been volunteering their tips and advice in comments and posts. In the BrandCurve post Pizza Time, or Hypothermia Time?, Katherine Liew discusses three options the owners can pursue to avert this crisis:
Pizza Time has a few options…
Remove the troublesome elements and try to keep it quiet. This is what the company HAS done, and many others have tried previously. However, this doesn’t work, especially today when negative word of mouth travels like wildfire.
Rebrand the company and hope that everyone forgets. Not a good way to treat your customers, and also expensive, but a rebrand with revised company policies could be something to think about in the future.
Reform the company - quickly issue an apology, compensate the employees and show that the company is actively working on solving the problem. This would be the smartest course of action for Pizza Time to take, like Nike did with their child labour scandal.
Rebrand? A name change to Stone Cold Pizza or Frost-Bites Pizza might be apropos. However, as a franchise, these owners they are contractually unable to change their name from Pizza Time. However, they could rebrand to a degree by bringing in new management, allowing Corporate to run the store for a period, sell to new owners, etc. Somehow create the perception of a new and improved Pizza Time.
[Or how about a sign: NOT Freezing our employees since 2009!]
In times of crisis like this, franchisees should be able to turn to the franchisor for help. Where is the Pizza Time franchisor? Why the silence? Hibernation?
Related Bizzia posts:
Franchise Pick: Franchisee From Hell! Awards: Luke Benjamin, Pizza Time
Franchise Pick: Can the Lacey Pizza Time be Saved from Itself? What do you Think?
BizLevity: Dirty Franchising, The Sequel, They Had The (Pizza) Time Of Their Lives
Leadership Turn: Leaders From Hell Win Award
The Seattle Traveller: Lacey Pizza Time Feels the Heat but Employees Don’t
Small Business Boomers: Boss From Hell? Or Frustrated, Cost-Conscious Employer?
BrandCurve: Pizza Time, or Hypothermia Time?
WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
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Visit FRANBEST’s: Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and business opportunities.
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PIZZA TIME: News Report Puts Heat on Franchisees, Pizza Chain
January 5, 2009 by Sean Kelly
Filed under :-) Humor, PIZZA TIME, x Franchisees From Hell
On the heels of Pizza Hut’s viral video effort, the 25-unit Pizza Time franchise chain has gone viral, too… much to their dismay. The King 5 video of the Pizza Time owners who allegedly forced their employees to work in sub-freezing temperatures as a punishment is being delivered across the net. Check it out:
The blogosphere weighs in:
Franchisee From Hell! Awards: Luke Benjamin, Pizza Time
Lacey, WA Pizza Time owners Luke & Gretchen Benjamin were immediately winners of our prestigious FFH! award, putting them in such distinguished company as Subway’s Cousin Vinny Agnello, Holiday Inn franchisee Charles Morais, and Quiznos’ sex offender and murder suspect Michael Mele.
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Can the Lacey Pizza Time be Saved from Itself? What do you Think?
Pizza Pundits offer their advice for saving the Lacey Pizza Time. Best idea wins a large Pizza Time pizza. 2nd best wins an extra-large Pizza Time Pizza.
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Dirty Franchising, The Sequel, They Had The (Pizza) Time Of Their Lives
Bizlevity’s Mark Jabo’s idea for saving the Lacey Pizza Time is to turn it into a musical. Good timing: Patrick Swayze should have time on his hands once his new TV series debuts this month.
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Miki Saxon at Leadership Turn bestows yet another title upon our Heroes, and also makes a good argument for the use of raping and pillaging as employee perks.
Lacey Pizza Time Feels the Heat but Employees Don’t
Our very own Bizzia channel editor Mary Jo Manzanares and blogger at The Seattle Traveller lives just a pepperoni’s throw from Lacey, WA. One wonders if her constant travelling is motivated by the quality of the local pizza.
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Boss From Hell? Or Frustrated, Cost-Conscious Employer?
There always has to be a rational, nice person willing to consider both sides who just ruins it for the rest of the mob ;) Jean Murray at Small Business Boomers invites all comments, pro and con, and has set up a poll. After the poll results are in… we attack at dawn!
Other links:
King 5 story, Boss of the Year at No-Name247, BuzzFeed, Pizza Time on The Consumerist
Also check out: PIZZA HUT: Viral Video Appeals to Racist Moron Demographic
WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
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Visit FRANBEST’s: Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and business opportunities.
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