1984
This brand new franchise offering is putting a new meaning to the popular online industry buzzword, "transparent."
In the internet world, which is full of blogs, wikis, community forums, and the like, the word transparent means that all the folks involved in putting any type of content out online be forthright in the way they are putting said content out.
In other words, if a link like this happens to go to a product in which the owner of the blog or website gets paid a commission when someone buys said product, it should be disclosed somewhere on the site or blog. That's called being "transparent."
Now, check out how this brand new donut franchise is being transparent...
1984 Donuts was recently launched for one reason;
To beat out the donut franchise industry leader, Dunkin' Donuts!
A little background...
Accusations have been flying about Dinkin' Donuts alleged use of surveillance techniques to catch it's franchisees in the act of some type of contractual infraction.
Robert Zarco, a franchise attorney representing some Dunkin Donuts franchisees says that Dunkin' targets a franchisee through either a "random" audit or some kind of violation--sometimes a more trivial matter such as failure to buy new equipment."
Franchisees have described the process as humiliating and intimidating, with no way to fight back other than hiring a lawyer.
The company has also confronted accusations that it conducts personal surveillance on its franchise operators to uncover grounds for an investigation.
A Dunkin' spokeswoman said, "We have never conducted surveillance on any of our franchisees' or employees' personal property, nor would we condone such actions."
Read the article over at the New York Post.
Super secret spying, huh? (Alleged)
Enter 1984. Ok, not the year 1984, time travel just isn't possible..or is it? Anyway, the name is a special one. 1984 refers to the book and movie of that title.
Do the words "Big Brother" mean anything to you? How about "is Big Brother watching?"
In the book 1984, a totalitarian society exists. One in which everybody is watched by cameras 24/7. Kind of like what a certain huge franchise chain of donut shops is being accused of doing.
Jimmy and Dylan Mulch obviously have a sense of humor. They are the ones who came up with the name and business model for this new donut franchise.
"1984 Donuts will have no secrets. As a matter of fact, the first thing that you must do in order to get a call back from our busy franchise salespeople is to go to your local constable, and get fingerprinted, and photographed. Have them send the picture and your fingerprint analysis to our corporate headquarters, so we can review the information. Then we may call you back," they told this reporter.
See. That is being totally transparent. At least they tell you what they are going to do.
It doesn't end there, though. Dylan also told me that each donut shop will have 15 video surveillance cameras set up throughout the store. This will lower employee theft, and franchisee theft.
In addition, field reps, (who just happen to be ex-CIA agents) will enter the premises unannounced, for spot inspections. Just what will happen to franchisees for any infractions is anyone's guess, but these field reps are not gentle men and women. But at least as a franchisee of this chain, you will know this stuff up front. That's being transparent! Jimmy and Dylan, and the franchise industry appreciates your passion towards this very important topic.
1984 Donuts expects to sell 25 franchises in it's first full year in business, and 300 each year after that. Who knows? Maybe they'll just get there.
For more information about the 1984 Donut franchise, read the message below;
(You must decode it)
They're watching you.
The 2#$ Reuus &% 8900)
Uj uj TYSSH jj566788893
Newark, New Jersey
00776
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