To the previous commentor. I'm the guy that wrote the "this is your
business" post. Why would you worry about passing on a site and getting
sold out. I swear you all (except the person that agreed with me)
sounds like we are living in the USSR. Your are giving the company way
too much credit and power. Can you imagine the PR right now if they
were trying to purge O/Os while also trying to sell us company owned
restaurants? I used to blame the company for a lot, but now I am
thinking they have chosen a lot of O/Os who aren't entrepreneurs.
Because of what you do, you're worth a lot more than you think. This is
hard work, and you all could easily find other ventures or
opportunities. Yet, I see it so often that you think you would be
nothing without them. Again, it sounds like battered wife syndrome.
When I mentioned taking back the system, we can do it together. Again,
they can't ignore us if we speak up and are prepared for the battle.
They will back down; I can say that I, personally, have seen it
countless times.
We need to start a group outside of the NLC. I
think the company picks these people, anyway. Once we do that, they
will listen. Let's stop acting like children and start speaking up and
together (instead of in the hallways of a hotel conference room) outside
of co-op meeting. You all are better and stronger than this.
.
June 29, 2015
June 27, 2015
June 26, 2015
June 24, 2015
Franchising, Edgy Marketing and the 2016 White House Run
McDonald's should acquire CKE Restaurants Inc. just to
make Andy Puzder the next McDonald's CEO. He's the smartest guy in the industry, if not in American business.
Andy Puzder's Blog
.
McDonald’s Stock Buyback Plan Aids Officers, Not Franchisees
Janet Sparks is the former publisher of the Continental Franchise Review, an industry newsletter that covered the franchise community for over 30 years. She has also been
a columnist for a leading franchise magazine for the past 13 years. Today she is an
independent journalist who engages in investigative reporting, tackling complex issues
that impact the franchise industry. Janet can be reached at jsparks@bluemaumau.org
or at 303-799-7398.
McDonald’s Stock Buyback Plan Aids Officers, Not Franchisees - BlueMauMau
.
a columnist for a leading franchise magazine for the past 13 years. Today she is an
independent journalist who engages in investigative reporting, tackling complex issues
that impact the franchise industry. Janet can be reached at jsparks@bluemaumau.org
or at 303-799-7398.
McDonald’s Stock Buyback Plan Aids Officers, Not Franchisees - BlueMauMau
.
Thanks For All the Great Comments!
One commentor began with: "I'm surprised that there has not been more focus on the finance/debt issues by MCD in the Business Media. Many stores have good operations
but the problem comes from declining sales and costs below the PAC."
There is only one source for such reporting - McDonald's Operators. A reporter can't
make up the facts or report on speculation. They need sources that are informed and
quotable. McDonald's is not required to report on Operator profitability and when they comment on it, they lie. Whatever information they might gather is sealed. Accountants retained by Operators can't talk about their clients business but if they did, they'd lose
all of their McDonald's business.
This could only be reported on if an Operator or Operators pick up the phone or go on
line with the reporters from the major business media. They've been waiting for years
to hear from McDonald's Operators.
I hear the following from a reporter or an analyst almost every day:
"I know the answer but I have to ask, do you know of any McDonald's franchisees who
will discuss these issues?"
.
but the problem comes from declining sales and costs below the PAC."
There is only one source for such reporting - McDonald's Operators. A reporter can't
make up the facts or report on speculation. They need sources that are informed and
quotable. McDonald's is not required to report on Operator profitability and when they comment on it, they lie. Whatever information they might gather is sealed. Accountants retained by Operators can't talk about their clients business but if they did, they'd lose
all of their McDonald's business.
This could only be reported on if an Operator or Operators pick up the phone or go on
line with the reporters from the major business media. They've been waiting for years
to hear from McDonald's Operators.
I hear the following from a reporter or an analyst almost every day:
"I know the answer but I have to ask, do you know of any McDonald's franchisees who
will discuss these issues?"
.
June 22, 2015
The Hamburgler is Still Out of Jail
We've discussed the fake Hamburgler commercial but
here's the art behind its making. If you asked, "Where
did they get those trademark protected costumes?" -
they didn't - it's all computer artwork.
The agency video is HERE
The full length "commercial" is HERE
.
June 20, 2015
June 19, 2015
Where Are They Now? - Ed Rensi Out at Famous Dave's
"While franchisees liked some of the changes, some balked at extensive and expensive remodelings, Smith said.
“I think Ed angered franchisees by coming in and telling them it’s my way or the highway,” he said. “Franchisees don’t like to be told how to run their business and dictated [to] on how much money to spend.”
Still struggling, Famous Dave's changes CEOs again - StarTrib .
June 18, 2015
McDonald's to Shrink in USA
Most of the reporting on this topic has centered around "under performing" stores. That may be true but will this also be used to harvest the equity in locations owned by the secret real estate investment trust? No matter what the sales volume?
McDonald's to shrink in US, 1st time in decades - Yahoo Finance
.
June 17, 2015
June 15, 2015
June 12, 2015
McDoh!
My extended family includes a number of people who are
politically liberal. Since liberal policies always fail they've
tried to change their political label to "progressive". To
irritate these folks I still address them as liberals.
But, three months ago McDonald's management began talking about making McDonald's a "modern, progressive burger company". All this time I've been thinking this meant they wanted to be more innovative, dynamic, or forward thinking.
But that's not it. The hiring of Robert Gibbs shows that I've been hearing this wrong. The
intent is to become more "liberal" politically and philosophically with McDonald's Operators
paying the bills.
I'm thinking about 80% of McDonald's corporate employees would describe themselves as
"liberal" or "progressive". How many McDonald's Operators would describe themselves
as such, 1%?, 5%?
.
McDonald's Plays Politics
Much is being written about the possible political impact of McDonald's new talking-head.
How naive to think one person can solve all of McDonald's political challenges.
Gibbs may have the connections to stop franchisee friendly legislation from reaching the
Federal level but in reality the International Franchise Association has that pretty well
handled.
But can he hold the NRLB and the unions at bay? Organized labor has been targeting McDonald's for forty years, first as a serious organizing attempt and today as their highest profile scapegoat.
One guy will not cause the unions to back off. As long as McDonald's is the largest entry
level employer they'll be the union favorite. Gibbs will fool around with the issue, make
a few million $$$, and move on – probably to work as a lobbyist – for organized labor.
By Hiring Robert Gibbs, McDonald's Plays Politics - Forbes
.
How naive to think one person can solve all of McDonald's political challenges.
Gibbs may have the connections to stop franchisee friendly legislation from reaching the
Federal level but in reality the International Franchise Association has that pretty well
handled.
But can he hold the NRLB and the unions at bay? Organized labor has been targeting McDonald's for forty years, first as a serious organizing attempt and today as their highest profile scapegoat.
One guy will not cause the unions to back off. As long as McDonald's is the largest entry
level employer they'll be the union favorite. Gibbs will fool around with the issue, make
a few million $$$, and move on – probably to work as a lobbyist – for organized labor.
By Hiring Robert Gibbs, McDonald's Plays Politics - Forbes
.
June 10, 2015
McDonald's Operator Comment of the Week
Esterbrook seems competent to me but has his hands full. Andres is a
short timer in my opinion. MCD is in this position due to a colossal
failure of leadership by the board of directors and top management.
Skinner has to give up some skin as well. They did nothing to
anticipate changes in consumer taste. They talked a lot about the
changing face of America and the importance of technology. They made
terrible promotions and did nothing positive with technology except lip
service. However, being in the food business they just ignored what was
happening regarding consumer taste's and left us flatfooted. Never
before has MCD been so reactive. We have always acted to control our
own destiny. Selling food for a profit and giving customers a good
experience fell as a priority. But, we were certainly "politically
correct". Thompson was a nice fellow and smart but he was never a
leader. Now, they want to target millinals (sp). These people don't
have any money they are mostly living with their parents. MCD needs to
take care of MCD and stop over reacting to special interest groups that
attack our food and other areas. We worry about competitors that should
not even be mentioned in the same sentence with MCD. Fix the food,
give us a manageable menu and we will kick their asses. Customers want
it fast and hot. Want to build sales? Make the drive thru a major
focus. They hire all these high profile "PR" people but what are they
going to talk about? The best and most effective "PR" tool we have is
the Ronald McDonald Houses. There are great stories to be told there.
We have millions invested in them. They are never mentioned. The
operators I know are not afraid of these competitors. What the
operators are afraid of is MCD. They have done more harm to their own
operators than any competitor could have ever done. It defies
understanding!!!
.
.
June 9, 2015
June 8, 2015
June 6, 2015
8 Toxic Types of People You Should Keep Out of Your Life
Anyone who pages through a copy of Entrepreneur Magazine realizes they get a large
chunk of their ad revenue from franchise companies desperately seeking franchisees.
As such they go pretty easy on franchisors.
So it's humorous that they've published an article about avoiding toxic people. The first
four personality types perfectly describe those who work for large franchise companies.
.
8 Toxic Types of People You Should Keep Out of Your Life
.
chunk of their ad revenue from franchise companies desperately seeking franchisees.
As such they go pretty easy on franchisors.
So it's humorous that they've published an article about avoiding toxic people. The first
four personality types perfectly describe those who work for large franchise companies.
.
8 Toxic Types of People You Should Keep Out of Your Life
.
June 5, 2015
Wendy’s Debt Load: Good for Franchisees? Not.
If one replaces Wendy's with the word McDonald's and triples or quadruples the
numbers in the article the last paragraph certainly applies.
Restaurant Finance Monitor
.
numbers in the article the last paragraph certainly applies.
Restaurant Finance Monitor
.
June 4, 2015
June 3, 2015
You.....You're the Bun
Now that McDonald's Operators have built East Balt into an empire they will now
be subsidizing Wendy's food costs.
East Balt Bakeries Acquires The Wendy's Company Bakery Business
.
be subsidizing Wendy's food costs.
East Balt Bakeries Acquires The Wendy's Company Bakery Business
.
