Text 31420, 81 rader
Skriven 2012-11-28 20:36:00 av JIM WELLER (1:123/140)
     Kommentar till en text av MICHAEL LOO
Ärende: co-branding
===================
-=> Quoting Michael Loo to Nancy Backus <=-

 ML> And Tim's has a colocation/marketing agreement with Coldstone
 ML> Creamery, which I find one of the more worthless chains around.

I hadn't heard of Cold Stone before and had to look it up. It seems
there are three fairly new combined stores in Edmonton. I haven't
noticed them but then I do not seek out Tim's while travelling as
there is one in my home town. Most Canadian Tim's are stand alone
operations. In smaller towns they are sometimes colocated with
Wendy's.

Cold Stone Creamery From Wikipedia

"The company's main product is premium ice cream, or ice cream made
with approximately 12-14% butterfat, that is made on location and
customized to order for customers at the time of purchase."

OK, I like their story so far.

"the company has been co-branding its locations with other chains in
an attempt to increase its presence outside the United States and
open up its business model from the traditional summertime season to
a more year-round one."

And that makes sense.

But there's a dark side...

"In the spirit of joviality, and to encourage customers to give tips,
Cold Stone instructs employees to sing a Cold Stone song, usually to
the tune of recognizable melodies such as Take Me Out to the Ball
Game, I've Been Working on the Railroad, or Bingo, when a customer
places money in the tip jar. Lyrics include short, catchy phrases,
such as, "This is our Cold Stone song, it is not very long". "

That alone would put me off going to one.

"There have been allegations by independent franchises that Cold
Stone's business practices have put them at a competitive
disadvantage. These former franchises claim that the parent company
opens locations too close to each other, requires expensive
remodeling and overstates potential revenues and income.

In June 2008, the Wall Street Journal examined the issue. The
article stated that a large number of locations, approximately
16-20%, of Cold Stone Creamery franchises have closed or were put up
for sale by their owners, many of whom had suffered significant
financial losses due to their investment. The article included
claims by franchisees that the company had misrepresented the
average revenues of Cold Stone stores and acted in ways that reduced
stores' profit margins.

In December 2010 lawyers from Cold Stone Creamery threatened a
lawsuit over some of the contents of a then-upcoming documentary by
CNBC. Behind the Counter: The Untold Story of Franchising reported
on the failures and successes of franchising. After several edits
the program was broadcast on CNBC on March 21, 2011. Brands such as
Dunkin Donuts and Five Guys were highlighted as successful franchise
brands. Cold Stone Creamery's executives and corporate lawyers were
interviewed. The lawsuit was discussed with former franchisees and
the litigation threats with CNBC. An apparently successful Cold
Stone franchise was also featured.

In an item at Men's Health magazine, Cold Stone's PB&C drink at
"Gotta Have It", or large size, was ranked "Worst Beverage of
America" in terms of health. The drink has 2,010 calories. 131 grams
of fat with 68 grams saturated fat, and 153 grams of sugar."

Nope, I don't think I'll patronize them. 



YK Jim


... It is utterly evil and immoral and should be denounced by all.

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