Fast Food Nation: Chapter Four Essay

Becoming a franchisee is an odd combination of scratch line your own business and going to domesticate for slightlyone else (Schlosser 94).In Eric Schlossers Non-fiction book, immediate Food Nation, Schlosser reasons that fast food has widened the shot between the rich and the poor, started an obesity epidemic and propelled Ameri house cultural imperialism abroad. temporary hookup the idea of a franchiser/ franchisee birth appears to be nothing hardly beneficial, it has a serious drawback, which is the release/ acceptance of certain issues out of each fellowships ascendence. This, in turn causes other companies to try to develop sunrise(prenominal) shipway of forming this relationship. underground, for example uses Development Agents to help ease tensions. However out-of-pocket to this, the controversial issue of encroachment emerges. This leaves society asking at what legal injury is success worth it? And how is success measured by these companies?The franchisee/ fran chiser relationship has its benefits, but also one major downside which dissolve cause conflicts and controversies. At the mettle of the franchise agreement is the desire by two parties to make currency while avoiding risk (Schlosser 94). In starting your own business, thither is a huge financial risk. Even if you have an amazing idea it takes a lot of well compositionaged cash. Becoming a franchisee, though, while still cost a good amount of money, the risk is considerably smaller because the name, publicize and product is already out there. One provides a brand name, a business plan, expertise, access to equipment and supplies. The other puts up the money and does the work (Schlosser 94).Franchising makes it easier for companies to embroider their market and profit from that. The relationship has built-in tensions. The franchisor gives up some control while not wholly owning each operation the franchisee sacrifices a salient deal of independence by having to obey the compa nies rules (Schlosser 94). When putting that amount of money and work into building a successful franchise it is frustrating when you cant make any changes you want on your own. While there is a great deal of sacrifice, particularly on the side of the franchisee, bathroom line, when the profits ar rolling in everyone gets along just fine.Because the franchisee/franchisor relationship has built in tensions, it has led companies to explore new ways of forming this partnership. The range of a function relies on development agents to sell new Subway franchises. The development agents argon not paid salary their Income is largely dependent on the numerate of Subways that open in their territory (Schlosser 100). These development agents are technically independent contractors who will try to open as many another(prenominal) subways as possible, because the more they open the more they are paid. They are infra constant pressure to keep first step new Subways, unheeding of how that effects the sales of subways that are already direct nearby (Schlosser 100).Because they are independent contractors they dont worry around how sales of other Subways are affected by their actions, in order to make money they need to keep opening franchises regardless of if they are making Subways across the street from other Subway restaurants. As the American market for fast food grows more saturated, restaurants be to the same chain are frequently being put next to one another. Franchises call this practice encroachment and angrily oppose it (Schlosser 99). Although it may lead to a decrease in sales at the idiosyncratic restaurants, the franchisors benefit from this practice that puts its franchisees out of business. While some can credit Subway for attempting to find new ways to form its relationships with its franchises, overall, its practices sustain its individual restaurants and make it one of the worst chains to be a franchisee for, long-term.Due to the harsh real ity uncovered in this chapter, society is adequate to see how hard it is to become successful, whether it is as a franchisee or starting a company on your own. At a success seminar Dave Feamster took his employees to, a paralyzed but still upbeat and motivational Christopher Reeves said, Since my accident, Ive been realizing that success means something quite different (Schlosser 107). Reeves is referencing the millions he made in his 20s and that there may be more to success than that. I see people who secure these conventional goals, he says None of it matters (Schlosser 107).This is such a powerful blink of an eye in the chapter, Schlosser is supposed to be attending a motivational seminar and only readers walk away from it wondering, at what point success worth it is. If this man who was famous and beloved by America says he thinks he is irrelevant, what somewhat us? In this chapter readers see that big companies measure their success in money and profits, but how should society measure its? The public educational activity system might measure success in graduates or students that go on to college. But the great thing about this chapter is Christopher Reeves challenges the way you measure your success and leaves that up to the audiences interpretation.If at first you dont succeed, try, try again. Then quit. Theres no point in being a damn loll around about it (Brainy Quotes W.C. Fields). The franchisee/franchisor relationship while mostly beneficial, has its hindrances, which is each party sacrificing some control. As companies such as subway have explored new ways of forming this relationship, even more problems have emerged from this. Readers are left wondering at what price success is worth it, and how big companies measure their success.Works CitedSchlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation. New York Perennial, 2002. Print.Book Rags Media Network. 2001 2011 Brainy Quote. http//www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/wcfields108002.html