Restaurant News is reporting that Burger King’s management and franchisees are locked in heated battle. The report cities a letter to to Burger King Holdings Inc.‘s board that illustrated the anger and frustration.
“Gentlemen, frankly, our business is in deep trouble,” it warned, pointing to what it called “two ill-conceived decisions” by the chain’s management that “violate the rights of our Franchisees and harm our business… Your management team has pushed the Franchise Community to the brink.” Signing the letter were all 21 directors and six officers of the Burger King National Franchisee Association Inc., which represents most of the brand’s independent restaurant operators. Twelve days later, Burger King’s board sent out a letter—addressed not to the association but “Dear U.S. Franchisees”—expressing “full and unanimous support” of top management and contending that operationally and financially, the brand was “in a much better position… than it was six years ago when we hired this management team.”
