From a franchisee’s perspective, one of the most detrimental aspects of investing in a franchise is the obligation to pay a minimum monthly fee (MMF). Not all franchises use this system, but most do. And in those cases, it is non-negotiable. We strongly believe...

Head over to Elite Franchise Magazine to read my latest published article about The importance of the pilot branch....

The lockdowns during the pandemic greatly increased the use of video conferencing. This has made it easier for franchisors and prospective franchisees to engage in discovery meetings, but we are now seeing that this is causing problems. Over the past year, the...

Some decades ago, while attending the National Franchise Expo in Washington DC, your correspondent was enjoying dinner one evening with a group of friends. With the party was a senior member of staff of the Canadian Franchise Association who made a comment that has...

Minimum monthly charges have been a feature of the franchisee business model for many years. Franchisors see them as justifiable. The guaranteed income can make budgeting easier, and they are a useful way of incentivising underperforming franchisees. Prospective...

The October edition of Elite Franchise Magazine features Tony Bowman, founder of Franchising Problem Solutions. Tony writes about the franchising umbrella that can assist franchisors through what is likely to be a difficult economic period.   Read the full article...

Many franchised businesses suffer from the comfort zone phenomena, which can adversely affect both franchisees and franchisors. It is the cause of many franchise disputes. Many franchisees decide to join to achieve a better work-life balance. Franchisors realise...

Conflict and franchise disputes can be a problem in relationships between franchisees and franchisors. This is hardly surprising because business partnerships are often fraught with difficulties, and a franchise is, in many respects, a partnership. The most common...

Mediation is by far the best way to resolve a franchise dispute that cannot be settled by negotiation. It is far less expensive and time-consuming and it offers both parties other benefits that are specific to their respective positions. For a franchisor, a trial...

Many years ago, your correspondent was in Washington DC attending the American National Franchise Expo. One evening a group of us went out to dinner, and I found myself sitting next to a senior member of staff of the Canadian Franchise Association. After some food...