Archive for Items Categorized 'Avanti Magazine', only excerpts shown, click title for full entry.
7-Eleven franchisees over the last several months have been experiencing momentous change in approach from SEI management that seems unprecedented in the recent history of the National Coalition. Although the two organizations don’t always see eye-to-eye, franchisees have seen SEI reaching out on both national and local levels to work more closely with franchisees, […]
One of my most important roles as General Counsel of your National Coalition is to monitor legal developments that could have an impact on your franchised businesses. One of the most important and widely reported such developments are proceedings brought by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against McDonald’s and several of its franchisees. […]
Australian songwriter and performer Peter Allen—along with his writing partner, Carole Bayer—created a popular all-time favorite song of the ‘70s, the classic “Everything Old Is New Again.” Among the lyrics, which evoke a timeless truth: Don’t throw the past away You might need it some rainy day Dreams can come true again When everything […]
There’s been quite bit of discussion (and controversy) regarding 7-Eleven’s program to assist low volume storeowners. Is this “new and improved” program any better than what franchisees had been offered in the past? Is the assistance being offered by 7-Eleven truly helping the low volume storeowner stay alive? No one really knew for sure, […]
After years of practically zero communications with SEI—during which time the company engaged in heavy-handed tactics, trampled on our independent contractor status, forgot all about servant leadership, almost wiped out Retailer Initiative with BT and other restrictive initiatives, introduced FIWs, Asset Protection, the new DVR security system and the gradual gross profit split, among […]
One of the main objectives of the National Coalition as we ended 2014 and headed into the New Year was to develop more open dialogue with SEI’s upper management so we could address our issues and concerns, and discuss ways we could work together to maximize profitability. After all, communication is a two-way street, […]
Our relationship with SEI has improved over the last several months, but franchisees are still cautiously optimistic about the sudden turnaround in corporate’s attitude and approach in dealing with franchisees. We want to believe that our corporate partners are sincere in establishing a positive working relationship with the franchisee community, but, as the old […]
One of the issues at the top of the agenda for the National Coalition for nearly a year has been the changes SEI made to its policies and procedures regarding Operating Expenses. In a letter to SEI dated June 17, 2014 and in an article published that month in this magazine, we made the […]
My last Avanti article—“Dawn of a New Era….Or Is It?”—generated much conversation and feedback. Some supported my thesis, while others criticized. In either case, it tells me folks read it. That is the mark of effective communication. The article got folks talking and some just plain mad! The intent of this piece is the […]
I truly believe that 7-Eleven franchisees want to work in harmony with SEI. Despite years of broken promises and, in many cases, unfair treatment, franchisees ultimately want to maintain peace with the powers that be. And, I can understand why. Their livelihoods depend on it. They don’t want to rock the boat or confront […]
