Latest news with #franchisees
The Guardian
a day ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Vodafone CEO asked how she sleeps at night by ex-franchisee amid £120m legal action
The Vodafone chief executive has been asked how she sleeps at night by one of the 62 former store owners involved in a £120m legal action that claims the mobile operator 'unjustly enriched' itself at their expense. Donna Watton, one of the group of 62 franchisees that have taken their claim to the high court, challenged Margherita Della Valle at Vodafone's annual general meeting on Tuesday. 'I have a question for the chief executive,' said Watton, speaking at the sparsely attended meeting at Vodafone's headquarters in Newbury. 'I am a Vodafone ex-franchisee, and I am one of the group of 62 suing this company for £120m for what it did to us, and I want to know: Margherita, how do you sleep at night knowing Vodafone's actions left people suicidal, cost them their homes, and left them drowning in debt?' The legal case was launched in December, claiming Vodafone slashed commissions paid to franchisees operating the mobile phone company's retail outlets. Many have claimed the company's actions made them fear they would lose their livelihoods, homes or life savings after running up personal debts of more than £100,000. Jean-François van Boxmeer, the chair of Vodafone leading the meeting proceedings, stepped in to field the question on behalf of Della Valle. He said that it was right he field the question as 'the master of ceremonies here and also protecting the sleep of Margherita'. 'I understand your question and I am not saying I do not feel the pain that you might [be going] through,' he said. 'You are referring to a case which is a commercial case between Vodafone UK and a group of franchisees in the UK. That case has been through a mediation that has been unfortunately unsuccessful. It is now a matter in the hands of court. You will allow us not to comment on procedures that are in court. I will not in this general assembly make further comments on what is now in the hands of courts.' He said that Vodafone remains open to further mediation, a process that ended without resolution in May. Vodafone, which says the legal claim is worth £85.5m, has consistently said that it refutes the claims made by the franchisees in their legal action. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion One shareholder, who said they had travelled a great distance to attend the Newbury meeting, challenged why Della Valle was too 'shy' to address attendees. 'I don't come for the sandwiches, I come to engage with the board and management,' he said. 'I've gone to a lot of AGMs this year. [At] the other AGMs the chief executives were not so shy that we weren't addressed. I've come a long way, I've probably used a lot of petrol to come here. Surely as one of the seven shareholders that have turned out I deserve some sort of address from the chief executive. Is there nothing good to report, is there nothing bad to report?' Van Boxmeer responded that Della Valle would only offer replies to 'very concrete questions relating to how the business is going'.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
McDonald's plans September beverage test at more than 500 locations
You can find original article here Nrn. Subscribe to our free daily Nrn newsletter. McDonald's on Thursday teased a test of new drinks that it plans to initiate at more than 500 locations starting Sept. 2. The test, based on learnings from CosMc's, a spinoff beverage-focused concept that McDonald's launched in late 2023 and then closed in June, will include iced coffee, fruit-flavored 'refreshers,' craft sodas, and energy drinks. McDonald's has been light on details so far, but it said the test would be mostly in Colorado and Wisconsin 'and the surrounding areas.' It released the name of five drinks, without providing further details: Creamy Vanilla Cold Brew, Toasted Vanilla Frappé, Strawberry Watermelon Refresher, Sprite Lunar Splash, and Popping Tropic Refresher. It said the September test would include additional items as well. The quick-service chain said feedback from franchisees and their employees would help it fine-tune aspects of any national rollout, from equipment to execution. McDonald's United States chief marketing and customer experience officer Alyssa Buetikofer said the test is based on learnings from CosMc's. 'This beverage test is rooted in what our U.S. customers have told us they want — bold, craveable flavors and exciting new drink experiences,' she said in a statement. 'These new drinks were developed specifically for the U.S. market, drawing on learnings from CosMc's and tailored to meet the evolving tastes of our fans, especially younger consumers. It's a strategic opportunity to explore menu innovation within the beverage space, while testing how we deliver these experiences operationally. As always, feedback from our customers, field teams, and owner/operators will be essential as we shape the future of beverages at McDonald's U.S.' She added that the timing of the test was not coincidental. 'We're seeing real momentum in beverages, with more people — especially our Gen Z fans — turning to cold, flavorful drinks as a go-to treat,' she said. 'It's a great opportunity for us to meet our U.S. customers' evolving tastes and show up in new moments, like afternoon refreshment or snack breaks.' McDonald's said in its quarterly earnings call in May that it would test more beverages. At the time, CEO Chris Kempczinski said the chain has about 10% of coffee share and even more opportunity in other beverage categories, such as energy drinks. 'We think we can be doing better,' he said. To that end, in March McDonald's announced the creation of global category management teams, including one to focus specifically on beverages and desserts. McDonald's beverage category lead Charlie Newberger said in a statement that the September test was part of the company's broader global beverage strategy. 'We're not just adding drinks to the menu — we're advancing our global beverage platform that fits naturally with how people already enjoy McDonald's,' he said. 'We've got the structure, the tools, and the team to move fast and scale what works. This first test in the U.S. market is a big step in our global direction.' The effort comes as drinks specialists such as Dutch Bros and Swig vastly outperform the foodservice industry as a whole. Additionally, traffic declines at many chains have spurred innovation in snacks and drinks to boost the sales of those customers who are visiting restaurants. Contact Bret Thorn at Related Articles McDonald's will shutter its CosMc's concept Despite a tough Q1, McDonald's has plenty of reason to be confident
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Chocolate maker tweaks freight pricing for fresher store inventory
This story was originally published on Supply Chain Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Supply Chain Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory aims to spur fresher inventory at its franchisees' stores by limiting potential shipping costs, interim CEO Jeffrey Geygan said on a July 16 earnings call. For the quarter that ended May 31, the chocolate maker waived all freight charges for franchisees and licensees' orders, Geygan said. On June 1, it shifted to a flat monthly fee program for freight delivery to stores. "We believe this plan will encourage more frequent store orders and provide a more consistent and higher quality in-store experience for consumers," Geygan said. Dive Insight: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory adopted the freight pricing tweaks because stores weren't ordering often enough to ensure inventory was as fresh as possible. The company encourages franchisees and store managers to order quantities they can expect to sell within two to four weeks, per its annual financial report. Prior to the freight charge waiver, many franchisees' order frequency slowed from every two weeks to every four weeks, Geygan said. In a few cases, stores ordered every six weeks. "By waiving the fee, we encouraged all franchisees to order on a more frequent basis, which would be every two weeks, and we can see that as evidenced through our ERP and POS systems," Geygan said. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory's push to shift franchisee ordering behavior is one of many supply chain tweaks the company has instituted as it looks to get its financial performance back on track. The company's launch of a new ERP system in January, which enabled the integration of all the company's core functions, is enhancing its visibility into inventory, procurement and manufacturing operational performance, Geygan said. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory also recently hired Luis Burgos, who previously held leadership roles at Kimberly-Clark and U.S. Cotton, to spearhead all manufacturing and logistics activities as VP of operations. "He comes to us with Six Sigma, lean manufacturing and continuous improvement certifications and tremendous experience," Geygan said. Additionally, the company is preparing to make food delivery platform availability a requirement for operating a store "wherever feasible," Geygan said. A presence on delivery apps will improve store revenue and capture new customers for many Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory locations, he added. "We're advancing toward a modern e-commerce experience that complements our in-store environment," the interim CEO said. This story was first published in our Operations Weekly newsletter. Sign up here. Recommended Reading Chocolate maker to streamline warehousing, transportation in cost savings push Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
16-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
SMOOTHIE KING CELEBRATES BIGGEST SALES WEEKEND IN BRAND HISTORY AMID STRONG Q2 GROWTH AND INNOVATION MILESTONES
New Franchise Commitments, Expanded Food Menu, and a New Strategic Investment Set the Stage for the Brand's Next Chapter DALLAS, July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Smoothie King, the world's leading purpose-driven smoothie brand, today announced its Q2 business results, highlighted by a record-breaking sales weekend, strong franchise growth, new product innovation, and a strategic investment to fuel what's next. In June, Smoothie King achieved a major milestone with the biggest sales weekend in the brand's 52-year history. Kicking off the weekend on Friday, June 20th, the brand reached its highest single-day system wide sales ever; and the momentum continued through National Smoothie Day on June 21st, which marked the brand's busiest Saturday ever. The historic run was capped off by the highest-traffic Sunday of the year. The milestone signals a new chapter for Smoothie King with brand purpose and operational excellence working in greater lockstep to deliver even stronger results, ultimately laddering up to Smoothie King's new brand vision: to make the world a better place by nourishing healthy habits. On the development front, Smoothie King added 25 new store commitments across 12 states in Q2, with especially strong development in Georgia and Texas, each securing six new deals. The brand also welcomed six new franchisees into the system this quarter, reinforcing Smoothie King's appeal among entrepreneurs seeking a purpose-driven brand with a proven track record of growth and operational excellence. In a significant move to further accelerate the brand's next chapter of growth, Smoothie King also recently announced a new strategic partnership with Main Post Partners, a leading private equity firm with a focus on founder-led, high-growth challenger brands. The minority investment from Main Post will support Smoothie King's long-term strategy to continue driving accelerated growth and sustained market leadership. Building on recent product innovation momentum, Smoothie King expanded the availability of its food menu—the brand's first-ever food offerings—from a successful 14-store pilot to 100 locations across the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Q2. The expanded test also introduced new versions of its fluffy and flavor-filled Egg Clouds and savory Chicken Skewers, joining a delicious lineup of hearty toasts and protein boxes that complement the brand's signature smoothies. 'Guests have been loving the fact that they don't have to choose between flavor and nutrition —Smoothie King delivers both while helping nourish those healthy habits,' said Gavin Felder, President & Chief Financial Officer of Smoothie King. 'Our brand is expanding in fun and exciting ways, from new franchisees and world-class investment partners to craveable new menu offerings, all while keeping guest satisfaction front and center.' For more information about Smoothie King and franchise opportunities, visit About Smoothie King Franchises, Inc. Smoothie King, the original U.S. smoothie franchise—founded in 1973—is a Dallas-based company with over 1,200 stores nationwide. The brand is committed to its mission to inspire a healthy and active lifestyle through its Clean Blends initiative, which focuses on providing great-tasting smoothies with more whole fruits and vegetables while removing artificial flavors, colors and preservatives and added sugars in many of its blends. In April 2023, Smoothie King launched Smoothie Bowls, topped with whole fresh fruit and premium Purely Elizabeth™ granola, made with wholesome ingredients, non-GMO fruits and packed with flavor and nutrients. Smoothie King also offers retail products that include sports beverages, energy bars, vitamins, supplements and more. Repeatedly recognized as a top franchise opportunity, Smoothie King was recently ranked #19 in Entrepreneur's 2025 Franchise 500 and #90 in Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers & Shakers. The brand was also featured in the top 100 of Technomic's annual America's Favorite Chains data, which resulted in ranking #8 in Nation's Restaurant News' 'America's Favorite Chains' list earlier this year. Press Contact ALISON BROD MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Smoothie King
Entrepreneur
16-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Why Networking Still Matters in Business
Technical skills matter, but relationships are what move the needle. Here's how to build a network that actually works. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. In business, as in life, it's often not just what you know, but who you know. I've seen this play out repeatedly in my career, particularly in the commercial cleaning and disinfection services sector. While technical know-how and operational excellence are essential, many of our company's most significant opportunities and best franchise partnerships began with a conversation, a coffee meeting, or a handshake at an industry event. Networking isn't just about swapping business cards or adding contacts on LinkedIn. It's about building a web of genuine, trust-based relationships that can support you throughout your professional journey. And yes, it requires effort, but the return on that investment is exponential. Here's what I've learned about building meaningful business connections — and a cautionary tale about what not to do. Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget. Networking starts with service, not self In the early days of leading Anago Cleaning Systems, I frequently found myself attending conventions and expos, where I met potential franchisees, clients and vendors. What became clear quickly was that the most impactful conversations didn't start with a pitch, they started with curiosity. If you want to be memorable in a room full of professionals, ask better questions. What are they working on? What challenges are they facing? What are they excited about? When you lead with an interest in others, you build trust and trust is the bedrock of any lasting relationship. One of our top-performing Master Franchise owners came to us not through a direct sales effort, but after several years of staying connected through mutual industry events. Every time we met, the conversation centered on what he was building and how we could support one another. By the time the timing was right, it wasn't even a question — he knew we were the right fit. Related: Love Cars and Want to Own a Business? Start With These 10 Automative Brands. Follow up like a pro A good first impression opens the door, but it's what you do afterward that determines whether the relationship has legs. I've made it a practice to follow up with every meaningful connection within 24 hours. Even a brief note, such as "Great to meet you, here's that article I mentioned," or, "Let's keep in touch about X," conveys professionalism and authenticity. I've also learned to keep a lightweight "CRM-for-life" system. Whether it's a spreadsheet, a contact management app, or a running note in your phone, track who you've met, where and what matters to them. Did they just launch a new product? Is their daughter graduating? These little personal touchpoints create deep professional loyalty. Related: I Walked Away From a Corporate Career to Start My Own Small Business — Here's Why You Should Do the Same Build before you need One of the most important lessons I've learned is to build your network before you need it. A crisis is the worst time to meet someone new, but a great time to reach out to someone you've built goodwill with over the years. For example, during the early days of the pandemic, many companies were scrambling to find reliable cleaning services that met the heightened disinfection standards. Because of the relationships our franchisees had fostered over the years, they were on speed dial for major facility managers, health care providers and retailers. Our network became our lifeline — and their solution. Related: After Decades of Hard Work, This Couple Is Living the Entrepreneurial Dream. Here's How They Achieved Generational Wealth Diversify Your Network In franchising and business overall, it's easy to stay in your lane and talk to people in your same sector, your exact role, or your same geography. But real growth happens at the edges of your network. Some of my most enlightening conversations have come from connecting with people outside the commercial cleaning industry, including tech entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, even artists. They think differently, challenge your assumptions and often open doors you didn't know existed. Join a professional association. Say yes to that community board meeting. Attend an event outside your usual sphere of influence. The best business ideas often come from unexpected intersections. Related: How I Turned a Failing Business Into a $1 Million Powerhouse in Just 6 Months One thing not to do: The transactional trap Early in my career, I attended a networking mixer where a young entrepreneur practically threw a business card at me before launching into a memorized elevator pitch. He never asked my name, never asked a question and within thirty seconds was scanning the room for someone else. I kept the card, not to follow up, but to remind myself what not to do. Networking isn't speed dating. If you treat every connection as a stepping stone to something you want, you'll find yourself building bridges that lead nowhere. People sense when they're being 'worked' versus when someone is genuinely interested in who they are and what they care about. Meaningful networking is more about quality than quantity. It's not about building the biggest contact list. It's about building the strongest relationships. Whether you're in commercial cleaning services or the creative arts, investing in authentic, long-term professional relationships will always yield returns greater than any cold pitch ever could. Be generous. Be curious. Be consistent. Because in business, the strongest connections aren't just made — they're earned. Ready to break through your revenue ceiling? Join us at Level Up, a conference for ambitious business leaders to unlock new growth opportunities.
