Franchise Consistancy Part 2

Hi from the road,

Last time we looked at the question of whether or not it would be OK to start selling diet ice cream if our franchise didn't offer diet ice cream.

It might not seem like a problem, but what happens to the customer who buys diet ice cream and likes it, but gets mad when she stops at another store in the same franchise just to get that diet ice cream and then finds out that they don't carry her favorite ice cream that she made a special stop for. The customer's expectations have been confused and let down.

What if the customer doesn't like the diet ice cream and it even makes her sick. She complains to the main corporate office. Then what? Not only does that make you look bad, it reflects on all the same franchisees.

What if you are out there doing things your own way not following the operation plan and then you decide to sell the business. What kind of value do you think it has? If it needs you to run it, and you have been making all your own decisions, and it isn't like the other franchises, then why would they buy it? The further away you are from what are you supposed to be, the less the value for both you and other franchisees associated with the brand.

Remember it isn't about you. It isn't about the franchisor. It is all about the customer and the organization as a whole. Think back to why you bought a franchise. You wanted to be part of a team and part of a whole.

Come on back to herd....or at least come back to the ranch.

Fran