Cold Stone franchisees feel chill (debt, purchase, fee, payments)

[pcity]

Originally Posted by Humanoid

It was pretty obvious this company had a bad business model, I hope the whole company goes out of business.

How so? It is extremely popular. Just because some of the franchisees don't do well doesn't mean it's a bad business model. The company itself is still doing well.

[InLondon]

Dairy Queen is just as expensive. Their "Blizzards" cost over $4.

[pghquest]

Originally Posted by bentlebee

So in the end it made you do something you otherwise migth never haver done.

Yes, would never have considered it, but the money is good and I like what I do. Fringe benefits are good, meat great people, and the 1 hour a week I work to make $500, I cant make anywhere else..

[pghquest]

Originally Posted by Humanoid

Nobody forced them to buy the franchise. I love to watch bad ideas crash and burn.

Let me guess, your a liberal?...

If the franchisee's were lied to in order to see franchses, then your statement is nothing but garbage.

[ozzie679]

Originally Posted by pghquest

Let me guess, your a liberal?...

If the franchisee's were lied to in order to see franchses, then your statement is nothing but garbage.

OK, I'll take this one. Liberal? I'm a liberal business owner, and to me he sounds like a "survival of the fittest" conservative.

But his statement was garbage.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

I wondered how well this company would do. I have had their ice cream but I prefer the original, Marble Slab Creamery.

From what I understand Cold Stone expanded very quickly. That might be part of their problem.

[ozzie679]

Originally Posted by Lindsey_Mcfarren

From what I understand Cold Stone expanded very quickly. That might be part of their problem.

I think you brought up a good point. Look at what happened to Curves.

[Humanoid]

Our Cold Stone shop here always has a line of customers.

And this is one of their problems. Having a long line isn't an asset its an indication that you losing business. Many studies have show that long lines drive customers away. Waiting 10 minutes for ice cream isn't exactly fun. Their lines are also chaotic when the stores get business which is another problem. For whatever reason the stores have horrible layout/design.

Let me guess, your a liberal?...
If the franchisee's were lied to in order to see franchses, then your statement is nothing but garbage.

Not liberal at all. Anyhow, I'm talking about the business in general and the individual franchises. Obviously over building and lying to franchises isn't a particularly good business model.
I'm sure some stores are run well (I liked the one on Forbes in Pgh), but most of them that I've experienced are bad. Regardless, I think Cold Stone is bad as a national chain. Cold stone style ice cream stores (when done right) do pretty well in some locations.

Regardless, I don't fell sorry for the people that bought a franchise and are now failing (and losing their house). The company can only project potential revenue/profit and its obvious the people in the article took the most rosy estimate and went with it. That isn't how you do well in business. Its just folks getting punished for their mistakes.

But his statement was garbage.

Yes I'm obviously not in business and my vague statements about the company were garbage ::rollseyes::

[bentlebee]

Originally Posted by Humanoid

And this is one of their problems. Having a long line isn't an asset its an indication that you losing business. Many studies have show that long lines drive customers away. Waiting 10 minutes for ice cream isn't exactly fun. Their lines are also chaotic when the stores get business which is another problem. For whatever reason the stores have horrible layout/design.


Not liberal at all. Anyhow, I'm talking about the business in general and the individual franchises. Obviously over building and lying to franchises isn't a particularly good business model.
I'm sure some stores are run well (I liked the one on Forbes in Pgh), but most of them that I've experienced are bad. Regardless, I think Cold Stone is bad as a national chain. Cold stone style ice cream stores (when done right) do pretty well in some locations.

Regardless, I don't fell sorry for the people that bought a franchise and are now failing (and losing their house). The company can only project potential revenue/profit and its obvious the people in the article took the most rosy estimate and went with it. That isn't how you do well in business. Its just folks getting punished for their mistakes.


Yes I'm obviously not in business and my vague statements about the company were garbage ::rollseyes::

I dealt in the past with a franchise concept. The organisation also lied with their statements with "official numbers given by and signed by a CPA (financial statements with tax proof), which all made out to be false. Many owners had to close their stores, since the clothes dind't come in (it was an Italian clothing store) and the sizes were all different from what was pre ordered, a complete mess and many young enthousiastic business people started this franchise to get a rude awakening.....

I once had a person stating the same as Hunmanoid is saying, and I'm experiencing this persons trouble to keep his job right now, which is sad for his family, but after making all these lousy remarks.....I guess the trouble he is going through is "his punishment"....., well that isn't how I go about in my life...just to judge people who start a busisness and try to start it the right way and getting fooled by a company, and now hoping some one is losing his job...but this person has made so many more of these dumb and hurtful remarks that I can't help it not to feel any sorry if this person loses his job!

Maybe Humanoid should go through something similar to get it....I do believe in Karma...so Humanoid I'm not sure what your Karma will be or maybe you had some coming already and that might be the reason for judging so harsh...

[KevK]

I was really sad when the one by us closed. I liked their ice cream. But I know they were in trouble when I would walk in most of the time and there would be 2 employees and no customers.