Month: November 2012

Franchising Not [Completely] Respected by American Express!

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Yes, today is Small Business Saturday and I urge you to support local business everywhere. That being said, please remember that franchises are small businesses as well, and are locally owned and operated. Unfortunately, despite efforts to educate American Express about franchising, they still found it necessary to place limitations on franchising’s involvement by excluding franchises with over 100 locations.

I’m concerned about the local franchisees of BrightStar Care, Rita’s Italian Ice, Red Mango, Nothing Bundt Cakes or of the many other franchise brands whose franchisees invested their hard earned money and savings to develop a business in their local area, just like the Mom & Pop proprietors have done. A small business is a small business. Period.

Franchising is very much small business and AMEX would certainly have a different opinion if all franchises stopped taking the American Express Card! Yes, please visit and support local businesses, including franchise locations, but as a true sign of support for ALL small business owners, about your American Express Card, please do leave home without it!

And, it’s not like American Express wasn’t made aware of franchising’s role in small business.

Last year I wrote numerous articles and actually had multiple phone calls with senior executives at AMEX. All appeared to be on track for including franchising in Small Business Saturdays. I even followed up with phone calls mid-summer to make certain last year’s debacle wasn’t repeated. I was assured all was in order, that they did their research and yes, franchising would be well-represented in this year’s Small Business Saturday event. Well, shame on me for following up, but not following through. You can be assured that will not happen again.

Here are links to last year’s articles which I will build upon for 2013…

Franchising Excluded from AMEX Small Business Saturday Events

Franchises Are Not Small Business?

Franchises Excluded From Small Business Saturday – AMEX Responds!

Was Franchising Slapped in the Face by American Express by Accident?

AMEX Reassessing Policies for Small Business Saturday


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Franchisee Disaster Recovery Kit

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Yesterday, I heard from Franchise Relationship Expert, Greg Nathan, as he reached out to me to help him share information to assist franchisors and franchisees affected by Hurricane Sandy. Greg wrote, “In 2011 Australia and New Zealand were hit by unprecedented floods, earthquakes and fires. To assist franchisors provide relevant and useful business and personal support for their franchisees we developed a Franchisee Disaster Recovery Kit. Franchisors told us they found the kit enormously helpful. Given recent events on the USA East Coast we would like to make the Kit available to franchisors in the USA.”

Here’s the information Greg would like to share…

Stepping Up In Times Of Need

One of a franchisors most important responsibilities is to deliver useful and relevant support to their franchisees. Great franchisors understand that in difficult times they need to be out there, standing by their franchisees and their families.

Similarly in times of trouble, franchise systems with healthy cultures will quickly mobilize themselves into action with franchisees providing practical and moral support to their colleagues.

With any crisis, it is only natural that franchisors and franchisees will want to reach out to people who have suffered loss or trauma. With this in mind we have put together this Franchisee Disaster Recovery Kit, in downloadable PDF format, to assist franchisors and others wanting to help franchisees and families who have been affected.

Read more here or go right to the Disaster Recovery Kit below…

Click Here to download Disaster Recovery Kit PDF

Well, Greg, it’s not only my pleasure to help you share this great information, but it’s my honor to know someone as caring as you. It’s no wonder that you and your organization, Franchise Relationship Institute are true leaders in understanding and strengthening franchise relationships. It all does come down to caring. Thank you for doing so!


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