Franchising Requires Trust, Even Though You May Be Betrayed

Continue learning about franchising beginning with this free report: 7 Habits of Highly Effective Franchisees. Get it now by subscribing to my newsletter!

Post image for Franchising Requires Trust, Even Though You May Be Betrayed

Betrayal is an ugly word, but it’s a popular topic in Christian churches this week. It’s Holy Week and every preacher is talking about Judas betraying Jesus.

Is there hope after betrayal?

“How do you trust again when you’ve been betrayed?”

I asked the question of the husband and wife I met last Saturday at a franchise expo in Dallas. Some years ago they fell victim to a Ponzi scheme after investing nearly $1-million. Incredibly, they were introduced to the Ponzi-ite by the associate pastor of their church, a man they knew for 15 years. The pastor was part of the scheme!

And now this couple hoped to buy a franchise and they were looking to me and an associate for guidance and advice.

I didn’t know if I should admire them, or question their sanity.

Trust is a requisite in franchising

Because first and foremost, franchising is all about trust.

And how little of that exists — at times — in some franchise companies.

Of course, how little of it exists anywhere. From Wall Street to Main Street, from the boardroom to the classroom, from the neighborhood to the living room, betrayal is part of life. Just watch and listen and read the news. Judas sacrificed his leader. And humanity follows.

Do you know the pain of betrayal?

You’ve probably been betrayed. Haven’t we all? The straying spouse. The cheating child. The deceptive teacher. The opportunistic employee. . . . The non-compliant franchisee. The lying franchisor.

All of us have been spared the pain and agony that Jesus endured as a consequence of his betrayer, but many of us have experienced the utter disappointment, the loss of hope, the despair of humanity, and the bitter, gnawing anxiety that accompanies betrayal. “I thought I knew him . . . I trusted him . . . I helped him . . . and look at what he has done to me.” I know that pain.

Learning to trust again

Once you’ve been betrayed, how difficult it is to trust again.

Isn’t it?

“But you have to,” the man across the table said to me last Saturday, his wife shaking her head in agreement. “We have no choice. We want to be in business. We want to buy a franchise because we want the brand and the system and the knowledge. We want the experience of success. That’s why we’re looking for a franchise. We have to trust.”

Indeed they do.

But should they?

Oh yes.

Be guarded, but don’t give up faith

Jesus didn’t lose faith because of one man’s greediness. We can’t lose faith because of one who betrays us.

But, of course, we can be more careful, as I advised this couple. Once tempted by the lure of lofty returns for their investment, this man and woman now knew better. They’re willing to trust again, but they are asking and checking and looking and investigating. And when they finish their interrogation of franchise opportunities, franchisors and franchisees, they will buy in confidence. With every reason to trust.

Of course success isn’t guaranteed

Does that mean they can be certain of their success as franchisees?

No. Never.

Because even though Judas hung himself, he lives. And we never know when a Judas will enter our lives.

But trust we must because franchising requires it of us. A prospective franchisee provides confidential information. A franchisor shares inside secrets; proprietary information. The franchisee invests thousands of dollars, maybe a life’s savings. The franchisor take the chance that the franchisee will perform to the letter of the agreement. Likewise, the franchisee.

There’s no end to the trust that’s required in a franchise relationship.

So choose wisely. Cautiously. . . . Then pray!