The problem is rentability for the individual franchise... it...

The problem is rentability for the individual franchise... it will only work if each square inch of the business is totally optimal to obtain rentability and 99% customer satisfaction... it takes a long time to make a concept great and eventually even greater with a good profitability... RFG has 7 - 8 different concepts that are weak, it is almost impossible to get them all on top of their sector as it stands today... i rather have 1 brand that works efficient then 7 who are logistical nightmarres such as the ones of RFG. At current price each brand is worth 10 - 15 m$ thats ridiculous.
There will be no other option then eliminate (sell) the worst brands and concentrate on 1 to 3 concepts... The retail market will only become more competitive in the nearby future and retailers will fight for every $ that is spent. Only the best product / service / price / organisation will survive. By now we all know that RFG was a selling franchise factory... too much resources went in this area of the business... NORMALLY A FRANCHISE SELL IS THE DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF A SUCCESFUL BUSINESS and franchisors should actually be in a position to reject 3 out of 4 candidates, just to make sure to deal with the right partners. No franchisor should ever make a marketing campain to find a franchisee... only a small mention on the site... the first steps should come from the possible candidate... which should be screened by the franchisor in a very efficient way.

Dominos, Mcdonalds, Dunkin,... are leaders but their succes is in the little details that makes them better then their competitors ...