# Franchisers, the lowest of the low. (Long) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 20, 2022, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839 "2022-02-20T20:54:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/181 "2024-07-13T01:35:59Z")
To me, there is too much contrast in font size between the words “The only guide to/you’ll ever need” and “Franchise Disclosure Documents.” If I just took a quick glance at the book, I would think it was mostly template disclosure docs. I’m not sure I’d even register that all-important word “guide.” I would make the font sizes closer, and if you want to make “Franchise Disclosure Documents” stand out, I would try using a different color. Of course, I could be totally off base. It might look awful with the changes I’m suggesting, but I think it’s worth playing with it to see. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/182 "2024-07-13T05:49:31Z")
1. Authors have been known to repackage their book in different ways to appeal to different audiences. No worries: if you don’t do it, someone else will. After this is published, JohnT might want to consider writing a version for lawyers. 2. I’m not an artist, but I think the cover buries the lede. Don’t Buy A Job The Only Guide to **Franchise Disclosure Documents** You Will Ever Need [![](https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/v_1440168061705/media/travel/planning/pickpocket.jpg) ](https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/v_1440168061705/media/travel/planning/pickpocket.jpg) Here’s another book with a four word message: [![](https://www.blackswanltd.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Book-NeverSplitTheDifference/Never_Split_3D_Jacket_copy.png?width=300&name=Never_Split_3D_Jacket_copy.png) ](https://www.blackswanltd.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Book-NeverSplitTheDifference/Never_Split_3D_Jacket_copy.png?width=300&name=Never_Split_3D_Jacket_copy.png) I like the Franchise Trap (and how to avoid it) though. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/183 "2024-07-17T07:36:31Z")
Appreciate it, y’all. I was sent a revision and I like it even less than the original, so I’m going with the idea proposed by @Measure_for_Measure. Let’s see what they cook up. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2024, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/184 "2024-07-23T20:53:16Z")
@JohnT , have you researched the Chick-fil-a model? Almost all of their owner/operators are only allowed to have one store. There are only a few that have two, and none that have more than two. The buy-in is only $10,000. The corporation owns the land, building, machinery & equipment. The operator is required to work in the store. It is definitely buying a job, but most operators clear about $250k per year. Their highest paid operator clears about $1.5 million ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2024, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/185 "2024-07-24T07:46:34Z")
There are many operators who own three stores, but to your point, I’m not seeing the sort of corporate ownership of 20+ units that you find with many franchises (like KFC). The $10k is merely the franchise fee. The initial outlay to open a store will set you back about a million - the range in 2023 was $440k to $2.3m: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53877913028_1a7fd974f9_b.jpg "Chick fil a") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/68782016@N08/53877913028/) CFA also charges between 4%-30% of revenue for the ‘Occupancy Charge’, which is _on top of_ the equipment rental, location rent, and tech fees. The median location grosses about $9.3m a year. Not going to perform a full analysis… about to board a plane… but it’s probably a fine investment. But you have to have a LOT of available assets to fund the thing, not just $10k. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2024, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/186 "2024-07-25T14:47:36Z")
IIRC, Chik-Fil-A used to have its franchisees be mall-based (I think their motto was “The taste worth shopping for”). Does their franchise model differ from others largely because of that “origin story” as it were? Of course, they’re probably feeling pretty good about their move out of the malls and into standalone locations these days. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2024, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/187 "2024-07-25T15:28:59Z")
Especially since much fast food sales are now delivered or via the drive through. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/188 "2025-01-01T01:20:46Z")
Sniff. It’s a banner day, y’all! Is this the first SDMB thread to become a book? > **[Amazon.com: Don’t Buy a Job!: The Only Guide to Franchise Disclosure Documents...](https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Buy-Job-Franchise-Disclosure/dp/B0DRSXNPDD)** > > Amazon.com: Don’t Buy a Job!: The Only Guide to Franchise Disclosure Documents You’ll Ever Need!: 9798304897501: Thornton, John: Books ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/189 "2025-01-01T01:23:11Z")
Big, boisterous **🍾🥂🎊🎆🎉🎇🥳🪩:piñata:👏🏼**!! ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/190 "2025-01-01T01:34:22Z")
Congratulations ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/191 "2025-01-01T01:52:33Z")
Way to close out the year! ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/192 "2025-01-01T18:19:08Z")
Oh you have no idea… last night, at midnight, I asked [Inna](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-in-the-age-of-trump-or-i-fell-in-love-with-a-republican/980600) to marry me… and she said ‘yes’! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/193 "2025-01-01T20:02:27Z")
Congratulations to the both of you! And now, just to harsh your buzz, a note that’s far too late to benefit you… I don’t love the subtitle. _The Only \<…\> You’ll Ever Need_ carries an _I Alone Can Fix It_ vibe that has a better track record for selling things than for improving the lives of the buyers. But take that as coming from a man who’s never aspired to anything significant. I wish you and your endeavors well. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/194 "2025-01-01T23:14:30Z")
Hot damn! You’re killing it! CONGRATULATIONS!!! 🥂 ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2025, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/195 "2025-01-01T23:37:57Z")
Congratulations. What a way to open the year. ---
**Author:** ![Chad\_Sudan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chad_sudan/32/4509_2.png) [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2025, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/196 "2025-06-05T19:56:05Z")
Just as @JohnT described. Here’s a franchise “opportunity” that’s been chasing veterans. If only they had read this thread first! > **[They Bet Their Future on Barbecue Dreams. Many Lost Everything.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/dining/dickeys-barbecue-pit-franchise.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Mk8.W8Vg.GcacBhjP1lmo&smid=url-share)** > > Dickey’s, the world’s largest barbecue chain, has a history of deception and broken promises, according to dozens of its franchise owners. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2025, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/197 "2025-06-05T20:03:01Z")
> [@Chad\_Sudan](#): > > Just as @JohnT described. Here’s a franchise “opportunity” that’s been chasing veterans. If only they had read this thread first! I just came here to post this! ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2025, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/198 "2025-06-05T20:04:41Z")
And the free ice cream at Dickey’s isn’t that great either. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/199 "2025-06-05T20:22:58Z")
From the article, > 58 percent of Dickey’s owners reported their restaurants were unprofitable. Some 85 percent said they would not invest in Dickey’s again. 😲 ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2025, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839/200 "2025-06-05T20:26:28Z")
And the portions are so small? But, seriously, it’s ridiculously mediocre BBQ for the price. It’s not terrible to the point I refuse to go but the only times I do are with a group from work looking for a lunch option that can handle bigger groups. If that’s the result of a subpar franchising setup, it is not surprising. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franchisers-the-lowest-of-the-low-long/959839.md?page=11)