{"id":14092,"date":"2014-12-04T15:18:59","date_gmt":"2014-12-04T15:18:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thefranchiseking.com\/?p=14092"},"modified":"2022-10-16T16:22:04","modified_gmt":"2022-10-16T20:22:04","slug":"pizza-fusion-franchisees-walking-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thefranchiseking.com\/pizza-fusion-franchisees-walking-away","title":{"rendered":"How And Why Are Pizza Fusion Franchisees Walking Away?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"pizza<\/a><\/p>\n

You can’t just walk away from a franchise you have purchased-and operated.<\/p>\n

Not only can’t you just “walk away<\/em>” from what’s typically a 10-year franchise agreement<\/strong><\/a>, you certainly can’t just change the name of your franchise business-and start an eerily-similar one on your own<\/em>.<\/p>\n

One would think.<\/p>\n

Unless you’re Pizza Fusion franchisees<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You’ve heard of Pizza Fusion<\/strong><\/a>, right?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pizza Fusion<\/h2>\n

This pizza franchise chain was ranked #4 in the Fast Casual Magazine<\/strong><\/a> 2009 Movers And Shakers Report. Pretty impressive.<\/p>\n

As a matter of fact, Pizza Fusion has won the hearts and minds of many<\/strong><\/a> over the years.<\/p>\n

Michael Gordon and Vaughan Lazar, co-founders of Pizza Fusion, are pizza franchise pioneers.<\/p>\n

Their offerings are organic (really<\/em>) and some of their locations are LEED-Certified. In other words, they’re focused on the good stuff.<\/p>\n

The coolest idea they had early-on, in my opinion, was to insist on having their franchisees purchase or lease hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius…for their delivery drivers to use.<\/p>\n

\"an<\/p>\n

Freaking brilliant if you ask me.<\/p>\n

So, why are a couple of Tampa, Florida Pizza Fusion franchisees<\/strong> walking away from their franchise agreements?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How And Why Are Pizza Fusion Franchisees Walking Away?<\/h2>\n

In a word:<\/p>\n

\"pizza<\/a><\/p>\n

According to an article in the Tampa Bay Business Journal, Dave Burton and Ralph Santell-two Tampa area Pizza Fusion franchisees, were not dissatisfied with Pizza Fusion, but they told the reporter that it “did put us in handcuffs to an extent<\/em>.”  Read the story<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Excuse me for a moment while I scream.<\/p>\n

(In the privacy of my private office located in a secret area of my Castle.<\/em>)<\/p>\n

It put you in handcuffs?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You mean the 22-page franchise agreement? The contract<\/em>?<\/p>\n

No, wait. You must be referring to the 340-page operating manual that you’re required to follow as part of your contract.<\/p>\n

Maybe I’m wrong. You must have objected to buying those darn Toyota’s.<\/p>\n

Handcuffs?<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I’m Puzzled<\/h2>\n

If you know anything about franchising, you know that it’s probably the best business model<\/strong><\/a> ever developed.<\/p>\n

And, you know that franchising is a system-based business. You know…you have to follow The System.<\/p>\n

Isn’t The System the reason that most people want to buy a franchise<\/a> in the first place?<\/p>\n

Didn’t these guys know that going in?<\/p>\n

Let’s say they did.<\/p>\n