Franchisee representative bodies should be the standard and where prospective franchisees encounter a franchise where none exists I would be asking: 'why not'? And if the answer devalues such associations then I would recommend the 'shopper' move on.
Sorry Jason, I have to disagree on franchisors supporting franchisee associations where such financial support gives control to the franchisor defeating the purpose. Such support has tended to find a franchisor selecting the representatives ensuring a disgruntled network and often causing franchisees to abandon the body much to the delight of the franchisor.
Franchisee representative bodies are worth their weight in gold when the franchisees and the franchisor recognise the value in collaboration to bring about increased value to everyone's investment.
