1851

While 2019 was full of triumphs for brands within the franchise industry, there were also a few companies that suffered some hefty blows. From ousting CEOs to serving compromised products and everything in between, there’s been more than a few instances in the last year where brands have received some not-so-positive media attention. Take a look at a few of the biggest brand missteps from 2019 that we hope to not see again in 2020.&nbsp;1. Papa John’s John Schnatter DebacleThe popular pizza chain had a year to forget in 2019. After sales plummeted in 2018 in the wake of news that founder John Schnatter used a racial slur on a conference call, Schnatter was promptly ousted as CEO and slowly but surely lost all formal titles with the brand by April 2019. <a href="https://1851franchise.com/john-schnatter-is-planning-to-sell-his-papa-johns-stock-2709889#most-recent">By May, he began selling his shares</a>, but the brand was still dealing with the fallout with its franchisees and fans alike. As part of its rebranding initiative, Papa John’s brought on Shaquille O'Neal as its new brand ambassador and board member—<a href="https://1851franchise.com/can-shaq-really-save-the-still-struggling-papa-johns-2710673#most-recent">and committed to a $40 million marketing campaign last year</a> to reacquaint us all. For everyone’s sake, we hope this is the last time we’ve seen John Schnatter.&nbsp;2. Burger King’s Disingenuous Impossible Whopper PracticesAfter the fast food chain made a splash with <a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-impossible-whopper-arrives-at-every-burger-king-in-america-for-limited-time-offer-2710627#most-recent">the unveiling of its new plant-based meat alternative dubbed the Impossible Whopper</a>, an aptly named product born from a partnership with Impossible Foods, Burger King’s saw a huge spike in consumer interest. It was short-lived, though, and revealed Burger King’s seemingly impure motives for offering plant-based meat alternatives in the first place. In November, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/get-that-meat-off-my-burger-burger-king-sued-for-cooking-impossible-whopper-on-the-same-grill-as-beef-2711662#most-recent">the brand was sued for misleading consumers</a> about meatless burgers being cooked on the same grill as their beef counterparts, leading consumers within the vegetarian and vegan demographics to quickly turn their praise for Burger King into criticism.&nbsp;3. Jack in the Box CEO Bails After No-Confidence VoteAfter 18 years with the brand, six of which were spent as CEO, Lenny Comma left Jack in the Box for good in 2019. It’s speculated that his departure <a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-jack-is-out-of-the-box-jack-in-the-box-ceo-announces-his-departure-2711841#most-recent">had a lot to do with tension that existed</a> between the former CEO and the National Jack in the Box Franchise Association, <a href="https://www.nrn.com/franchising/jack-box-franchisee-group-calls-removal-ceo?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=3-culture-missteps-brands-made-in-2019-that-we-dont-want-to-see-again-in-2020-2712246" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">which called for his removal in October 2019</a>, citing a years-long “lack of communication or action from corporate leadership to correct the trending decline in transactions.” Goes to show that if you’re leading a company and you continuously ignore the individuals that comprise it and don’t address their concerns, they’ll come together to unite around making the change you wouldn’t.&nbsp;While no brand is immune to making the occasional misstep every now and then, these three instances were just so pronounced (and avoidable), we just couldn’t ignore them. Attention, other brands: Explore these poor decisions. Understand what caused them to arise and move forward. Then stop yourself from making the same ones and suffering a similar fate. It’s 2020, after all.<a href="https://www.thedrum.com/news/2016/06/08/us-creative-work-week-jack-box-nationalburgerday?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=3-culture-missteps-brands-made-in-2019-that-we-dont-want-to-see-again-in-2020-2712246" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Image via The Drum.</a>

3 Culture Missteps Brands Made in 2019 That We Don’t Want To See Again in 2020

1851 Franchise

A reflection on memorable mistakes made by brands over the last year to remind us what companies should not be doing.  

3-culture-missteps-brands-made-in-2019-that-we-dont-want-to-see-again-in-2020

Children's Lighthouse

How Children’s Lighthouse Stands Out Among Other Children’s Education, Childcare, and Daycare Franchises

how-childrens-lighthouse-stands-out-among-other-childrens-education-childcare-and-daycare-franchises

The Growth Coach

The Growth Coach Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

the-growth-coach-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning

Why One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Sees People as the Power Behind Franchise Growth

one-hour-heating-air-conditioning-franchise-growth

Lawn Doctor

Design with photo of John Perry and Lawn Doctor logo

How a 20-Year Industry Veteran Tripled His Sales With a Lawn Doctor Franchise

lawn-doctor-franchise-success-story-john-perry

Fitness Premier

The Secret to Fitness Franchise Success? It's Not Just the Workouts

fitness-premier-franchise-marketing-support

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with American and Federal Reserve flags against light blue background

Federal Reserve Expected To Cut Rates by Quarter Point, a Move That Could Boost Franchise Growth

fed-rate-cut-boosts-franchise-growth

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

1851 Franchise Deep Dive graphic with Sparkle Squad logo

Sparkle Squad Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-sparkle-squad-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

graphic image of a financial deep dive of americas swimming pools co.

America’s Swimming Pool Company Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

americas-swimming-pool-asp-franchise-deep-dive

image of The Cleaning Authority Franchise Deep Dive Article financial investment details

The Cleaning Authority Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

the-cleaning-authority-franchise-deep-dive

JEI Learning Center Franchise Deep Dive 2025 - 1851 Franchise

JEI Learning Center Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jei-learning-center-franchise-cost-profits-data

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

3 Culture Missteps Brands Made in 2019 That We Don’t Want To See Again in 2020

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS