Indeed, I’d like to take this opportunity to talk about something that most franchisors do not discuss. In fact it is not something that is taught in CFE management courses with the International Franchise Association. Nevertheless it has been my experience as a franchisor founder that there are certain issues which should be addressed with regards to very devout religious people in franchising. First, very devout religious folks will usually pray to their God and look for a sign prior to buying a franchise.
For someone who is an agnostic working with the franchising organization, they may not understand this, but it is very much in keeping with the psychology of religious folks. Indeed, many types of companies such as; small business opportunities, multilevel marketing companies, and franchising companies in their sales departments target religious folks as potential buyers. Often, without knowing it, but I would submit to you the reason this occurs naturally is because someone who believes in a God with all their heart, and follows a religious organization may also be able to believe very strongly in a brand name, and a large and strong company organization.
In many regards it’s the same mindset, so it comes naturally, and it’s unfortunate more people don’t talk about it, but I can tell you in my many years of franchising I have seen this play out more than once. Nevertheless franchisees must also follow the confidential operations manual and the franchisor’s business model exactly. If the franchisee starts talking to their God, and looking for signs, and then trying to alter the franchise system in any way because it doesn’t fit with their religious motif, then problems can occur.
At some point a franchisee is going to have to decide if they are willing to trust their God, or religion, or the franchisor’s business model, business plan, and confidential operations manual. The good thing about those who are followers in a flock or religion is that normally they do as they’re told, and seek strength from the group, and their God. In a franchising organization, you could say that the franchisor becomes the God, and a franchising company becomes their support group or flock, which is filled with other franchisees just like them.
If a franchisor, their area reps, their vendors, or neighboring franchisees appear to be less than ethical to a devout religious franchisee, then that franchisee will no longer see the franchisor as good, but rather think of them as just another evil in the world. Someone that is that devout and righteous can easily become a rogue franchisee, if things aren’t explained to them properly. These are all very serious issues, and they are part of the dynamics of our population, but they are also very much a part of the franchising organization.
Also, remember that a franchisor cannot discriminate against highly religious devout individuals, and has to offer their franchising opportunities to anyone that qualifies on an equal basis. This is why franchisors need to manage the situation and consider all of this, and I do hope you will think on it.