All franchises must meet the legal definition of a franchise no matter what they call it before it is an actual franchise. This is the Federal Trade Commissions take on the franchise rule. It is not illegal to call a company a franchise even if it is not one and if it is not it does not have to follow the rules. In this opinion of law, I do have a quick summary of thoughts for the Federal Trade Commission Franchise Rule Making Group:
So what you are saying is that even if a company calls what they do a franchise, it is not a franchise unless it meets the test. And if meets the test then it is a franchise no matter what the parties call it?
Well then Al Queda, which is often called a franchise in our national news, which is operating in the United States, actually is not a franchise and therefore does not need to disclose anything or any information. Yet all the legitimate businesses, which are franchises must disclose everything. Why not make Al Queda meet the definition of a franchise since they have similar training camps, collect fees and use similar handbooks, operations manuals and methods? Each international cell or franchise follows the same plans. If the FTC can make them fall within their definition; then the FTC can get a list of all their franchisees and the Federal Trade Commission can sue them to prevent attacks? Just like the Federal Trade Commission is doing with SPAM. Doing a lot of good there, let me tell you, with 2111 worth of junk mails today alone. Thanks for nothing. I want my taxpayers money back! What a complete disgrace and failure, is the Federal Trade Commission unfit to lead? Next question:
It appears the Catholic Church is a franchise but call itself a church. Operates using the same marketing plan to collect tithing, pays franchise royalties to the parent, even molests young children which seems to be a common theme and practice? So does this mean if Bob Smith owned a Motorcycle Repair Company instead of a car shop that it could become a church and franchise out and collect fees without being a franchise? "Zen and the art of?"
Although one might have problems with this argument since these examples are totally absurd, from a philosophical standpoint, one does have to ask the question? And perhaps even ask; why do we even have a franchise rule in the first place? Obviously it is to help other business models over the franchise model? So the Federal Trade Commission has a franchise rule to make it difficult for franchises to survive so other business models can do better? Yet it is now proven even with all this bogus over regulation franchising still wins as the most efficient model. I present these examples as so much of this report and those who commented are out to lunch.
Someone somewhere was afraid of how fast franchising was moving so we ended up with the franchise rule? That is not a sufficient reason to keep it. Especially with 105 complaints in a decade, 70% bogus meaning 26 complaints actual with over 350,000 outlets sold, show me another industry, which can show those types of figures? Well, show me, because I have been studying this and I can tell you none exists.
The Wal-Mart or Starbucks of the world have proven equally powerful and efficient to the franchise model, however much of their methods except for private ownership of units follows that of the methods of franchising. Now if we continue to limit franchising they will have no competition. The FTC claims to help competitive markets, yet it destroys competition rather than leveling the playing field; deny this.
The recent franchise report by the FTC and this discussion is pure unadulterated mental masturbation. Franchising is about win-win-win situations and solving problems in the marketplace, serving the needs of the economy, franchisor, franchisee, customer and even sometimes the shareholders. That is a good thing, if we argue over what is and what is not and try to define it one way or the other, we miss the point of why it even exists, it exists to extend brand name, save on capital outlay for rapid expansion and fill a niche in the market place where buyers and sellers come together of their own free will to partake using a unit of trade. Mr. Snow recently spoke about franchising and reiterated the President's message that "franchising means jobs!" How can you argue with that logic? Look at how many jobs are provided by franchising? Why would anyone want to over regulate the forward progress of all mankind and the value of the greatest business model ever created in the entire written history of our specie? WAKE UP!
You can make definitions all you want, you can redefine, re-write, argue, manipulate common words of the English language, but in the end all you do is limit the possibilities of the creative genius of those who seek and find niches to fill for the common good of all. Why are we doing this, can't we just reduce this burdensome regulation and let free will and free markets flourish? Why are we attacking small efficient businesses which turn to the franchise model for expansion? Meanwhile if you want to stop the Catholic Church from molesting children or Al Queda from hurting our country, be my guest, I hope you sue the crap out of them. Good luck. My question to everyone is what good is making definitions if it hurts commerce by sweeping in other businesses and industries into this never ending fold of over regulation and intense litigation? Let's use some common sense here please. "Enough Already!" Think on this.
"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.worldthinktank.net/wttbbs
family-safe home cleaners Lincolnshire ..Today required franchise disclosure documents are over 200 pages generally.... Read More
Service Cleaning Businesses must maintain their equipment in order to... Read More
In general, all of us know how to accomplish the... Read More
I agree that knowledge should be free, but the next... Read More
Here are some important points to take note of if... Read More
A recent survey indicated that clean Taxi Cabs Fleets have... Read More
Why? Because they have access to world class public relations... Read More
Are you a small business owner who wants to expand... Read More
Why give freebies?We have all seen freebies at trade shows... Read More
If you are in the pressure washing business and are... Read More
A recent survey showed that only 28.7% of small business... Read More
Car wash businesses are unique to other businesses. In fact... Read More
If you're an entrepreneur responsible for your own small business... Read More
The way you manage your money is one of the... Read More
Let me get right to the point. The single most... Read More
The Dynamics of Daylight Savings Time changes the way we... Read More
Starting and managing a small business is no fun chore,... Read More
Opening a carpet cleaning business is a great way to... Read More
To have one of the popular in home daycare businesses.... Read More
If you own a mobile truck washing, pressure washing or... Read More
How far away is the person you need to meet?We... Read More
Many of our nations 400,000 franchisees run their businesses out... Read More
Many pressure washing companies will be glad to take on... Read More
Paul Leonard's BirthdayCards2Go.com paid greeting card service offers convenience when... Read More
As a practise gets larger & larger the associated problems... Read More
maide service in Buffalo Grove ..If an organization lacks a mission statement, it is worthwhile... Read More
Before you start a business we encourage you to prepare... Read More
Early in my career, I wrote an article for a... Read More
In a world full of complications sometimes we overlook the... Read More
You'd like to go into business for yourself, and believe... Read More
A recent survey indicated that clean Taxi Cabs Fleets have... Read More
We visited Lexus USA, home of the Lexus North America... Read More
If you own a mobile service or home based franchise... Read More
As small business owners we're in business to make money... Read More
Most smart entrepreneurs and all large corporations have Employee Relations... Read More
Becoming a contractor or sub-contractor for the U.S. government can... Read More
Anyone in business today realizes both the natural dependency on... Read More
1. Know Where You're Going ? Coach Herb Brooks had... Read More
Starting your own e-commerce business can be quite the adventure.... Read More
When you awoke this morning, you found yourself buzzing with... Read More
Winning small and home based businesses today must continually shake... Read More
Think of your business as a living, breathing, organism. It... Read More
New Franchisors and Entrepreneurs need to watch out as they... Read More
One of the best ways to make money in the... Read More
Cash is the lifeblood of any business. As humans need... Read More
What kinds of things effect mobile service businesses P and... Read More
In my 18 years of consulting I have heard it... Read More
It seems so long ago that I started my first... Read More
Last week's question from Anthony R. on how to choose... Read More
It's just like a marriageTo expect a bank manager or... Read More
Small Business |