Franchisors show caution about commenting on presidential race

By STEVE COOMES We’ve figured out how to make even the most blustery franchisors go silent: Ask them to predict how the outcome of the current presidential race may affect their businesses. You'll get nothing but chirping crickets. Perhaps it’s the fear effect of the fallout from comments made by Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy about homosexual marriage; no one wants that kind of venom spewed at their company for speaking their mind. So when asked about the current duel for the Chief Executive’s chair, almost no one seems eager to address it. Responding publicly to such a polarizing issue, in the name of The Company, no less, is apparently pretty unpopular. Here’s proof: 1851 Franchise Project called nearly a dozen franchise leaders to discuss the potential business impact of President Obama winning a second term, or what may happen if former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt unseats him. Only three executives would talk on the record, while many others said, “I’ll take a pass on this one. I’m sure you understand.” Some did at least give us some private comments, but surprisingly, several of our regular go-to sources didn’t even return our calls. Nothing personal. We get it. That leaves us terribly grateful for the handful of deftly crafted comments we did get from the following three executives. We think you’ll find them interesting.   Jon Luther, chairman, Dunkin’ Brands and Arby’s Who wins isn’t really the issue because the issues are non-partisan. Whoever wins still has to create jobs, fix the balance sheet, address healthcare and get the uncertainty out of the future. That includes figuring out what’s going in Europe and the Middle East. The candidate who convinces the country that they can do that … that’s tantamount to winning. Romney is clearly more sympathetic to getting people employed again and getting back to a growth phase. But it has to be done with balance, with proper regulation so it’s fair for everyone. Many say Obama has not come to the center, which is where he must in order to get things get done. Romney has to come more to the center, too; he’s probably too far right now. Where either would go if they get elected is hard to tell. When you look at some of the Obama policies in place, you scratch your head and think, “There’s a high percentage of the country against Obamacare, so why are we doing it when it could create problems, for small businessmen and others?” Everyone agrees it’ll have to be modified if it goes in to practice. A big part of the problem, though, is Congress and its 10 percent approval rating. That’s real trouble that this election won’t fix.   Mike Lassiter, CEO, Rising Roll Gourmet The growth of small businesses is the key to getting our country out of this economic dilemma. The candidate who focuses on policies that help small businesses grow will be the one who really creates some change. Whoever gets elected has to see the importance of reducing the cost burden to small business. Right now margins are so tight with delivery costs, food costs and everything else going up that there are a lot of people in very critical states financially. To not have a huge additional cost burden with a new healthcare policy is very critical. I believe Romney understands that there needs to be policies that focus on the growth of small business. One thing we hope he does is get banks to free up funds to help small businesspeople grow. Banks have the money, but it’s not available, and that’s keeping businesses like ours from adding franchisees.   Mike Kern, president and CEO, Long John Silver’s It’s tough to say what would happen if one or the other won. I’d still like to hear some details from both parties and both campaigns. There are still too many generalities floating around. The business opportunity environment has not been a good one in the past few years. When you add in the cost of compliance obligations, plus taxes, and the net-net result to the businessman—whether large or small—is fewer income margin points to deal with. Everyone is squeezed right noew, and each candidate needs to recognize the business community’s plight so they can do something about it and help companies be viable. We have too many employees being laid off and companies going under. The ripple effect of a slow economy is terrible for all.