Lately, a curious thing has happened. A few voices, some vocal, some veiled, have taken to undermining positive feature pieces within our industry, consistently criticising them in public forums and comment sections. And it’s seems to be having an impact, which I’m not happy about.
Why? Well some franchisors, who once proudly shared their stories of growth, resilience, and community impact, are now retreating from the spotlight. They’re asking: ‘What’s the point in sharing if it just opens the door to criticism?’
But here’s the thing: we need to keep telling our stories. Especially now.
Trolling isn’t feedback, it’s noise
Let’s be honest. Not all criticism is created equal. There’s a big difference between constructive insight that moves a conversation forward, and lazy, knee-jerk trolling that shuts it down. When someone dismisses an entire sector based on a single bad experience or worse, without offering any meaningful perspective or solutions, we all lose.
Franchising, like any sector, has its challenges. But pointing fingers helps no one. It doesn’t support the prospective franchisee looking for guidance. It doesn’t help existing businesses grow. And it certainly doesn’t fix the very issues some claim to care about.
If someone has genuine concerns or constructive criticism to share there’s space for that. Elite Franchise, like many platforms, welcomes honest, balanced perspectives. But there’s a difference between raising the bar and throwing stones from the sidelines.
Positivity highlights the possible
Positive stories aren’t about painting a perfect picture. They’re about highlighting what’s possible when franchising is done well. They’re roadmaps. They’re cautionary tales. They’re proof that with the right support, values, and systems, incredible things can happen, not just for business owners, but for communities and families.
To silence these stories is to erase the lessons they carry. And we can’t afford that.
Pip Wilkins, CEO of the British Franchise Association concurs, adding: “As Scott rightly highlights in this article, it’s vital for us to continue sharing franchising success stories with intent and purpose! In franchising, as in any business, it’s the stories of resilience, growth, and community impact that inspire, educate, and drive progress. As an industry, we of course must hear the negative feedback, but at the same time it’s important to amplify the positive voices, and continue to ask: ‘What are we contributing to the conversation?’ The strength of franchising lies in the shared experiences of those who are committed to growth and improvement, and it’s through these stories that we can truly move the industry forward.”
What are you trying to add? Are you moving the conversation forward?
We encourage everyone in this space: franchisors, franchisees, and yes, even ex franchisee critics, to speak intentionally. Ask: ‘What am I trying to add here?’, ‘Who could this help?’, ‘Am I moving the conversation forward, or just making noise?’
We need more stories. More insight. More honesty. But most of all, more intention. If you’d like to really voice your opinion we’re just about to start filming our Elite Franchise Live quarterly panel discussions. Join us on this, express your views.
And to the franchisors feeling wary? Don’t dim your light because someone else has chosen to shout from the shadows. Keep showing up. Keep sharing. Keep being intentional. The right people are listening and they’re the ones who matter.
