Burger King’s rift with its franchisees may be on the mend.
Almost six months after the rocky relationship hit a low point, both sides are talking again. They are trying to work together as the company prepares for an initial public offering that analysts expect could happen as soon as this summer, as well as Burger King’s annual convention next month in Orlando.
Leading the way toward mending fences is new leadership at the National Franchisee Association, which represents about 90 percent of Burger King’s U.S. franchisees. The association’s top five officers resigned en masse in December, after Burger King management said it planned to cut off all but minimal contact with the association and discontinue a $1 million a year subsidy. The two sides had been feuding for months over everything from restaurant hours to marketing plans and pricing strategies.
”The fact that we’re talking to one another is a big improvement,” said Joe Anghelone, who took over last month as chairman of the National Franchisee Association. “That’s an indication we’re beginning to bond again. It’s not going to change overnight. But it’s improving day by day.”
Burger King did not respond to requests for comment.
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