Dickey's BBQ Franchises Are...

[Uncle Bob]

We each have our pet peeves, and this thread has been grinding in my brain since I saw it yesterday. Above I stated I believe the article is in part a hit piece. In my corporate phase of life one of my responsibilities was to respond to media inquiries. In each case I learned that the stories were agenda driven and the offer of verifiable counter facts was either declined or ignored. To me that results in a story that is a lie either by omission or commission. This story appears to be likewise.

While I was reading/skimming it my brain was wondering why no commentary by the "reporter" about regulation of franchise processes. I did a quick query; Are franchise agreements regulated? Here's the response:

Franchise agreements are regulated at both the federal and state levels in the United States. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through its FTC Franchise Rule sets the baseline requirements for franchisors, while various states have their own franchise registration and disclosure laws. These laws ensure that franchisors comply with specific regulations to protect both franchisors and franchisees. Key aspects of franchise regulation include:

• Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD): Franchisors must provide prospective franchisees with a FDD containing detailed information about the franchisor's business and the terms of the franchise agreement. The FDD must be provided at least 14 days before the franchise agreement is signed.⁵
• State Laws: Many states have their own franchise laws, often referred to as "Little FTC Acts," which impose additional requirements on franchisors. These laws may require registration of the FDDs and compliance with state-specific regulations.⁶
• Business Opportunity Laws: Some states have business opportunity laws that extend the disclosure protections afforded to franchisees and consumers who purchase business opportunities, including franchises.¹ Understanding and complying with these regulations is

The article makes it sound like the failed franchisees were kept in the dark about the process. If they were they have an easy case for redress. Reality is they probably weren't kept in the dark, they just ignored reality.

[PGH_RAM]

One of my all-time favorite South Park episodes was a skewering of people who go into business without knowing anything about going into business. I give you, The Underpants Gnomes!

https://youtu.be/a5ih_TQWqCA

[captainlee]

How about when Randy bought a Blockbuster franchise?

[Smoke em if you got em]

I went into one once, and never will again. What they served could not be called BBQ. We were served boiled ribs, with no smoke or grilling at all. They had a fire truck out front for advertising, in a review, I suggested that they sell the fire truck, and buy their first smoker with the money. I don't know what the deal was that day, but we'll never give them the chance to get us twice. Like the old saying... "Get me once and you're a fool, get me twice and I'm the fool!"

[gboss]

There's an old saying in Tennessee—I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee—that says, 'Fool me once, shame on...shame on you.' Fool me—you can't get fooled again.

[Huskee]

There was one about 1.5-2 hrs from me in a getaway town my wife & I frequent. It looked like an oil change place. Brick exterior with lots of tall windows. It looked like it's trying too hard, too modern, too sterile, fake, no wood pile in sight, no smoke in sight. Classic chain BBQ place. The impression it gave me from mere appearances was one of fake BBQ, oven-baked, relying on sauce for BBQ & smoke flavor.

To be fair I do not know if my assumptions were correct, since I never went there. But I've read many of you here talking about it in the past and it seems like my assumptions were largely correct. Looks like many others weren't impressed enough to keep it in business. Or perhaps the crooked behind-the-scenes actions would've made it impossible even if it were a huge hit with its patrons. What a shame for those ruined by this.