Is it right ...?

[Kymera]

A friend of mine (a little while ago), looked through a franchise magazine, found one he liked then started up as a sole trader as pretty much a small scale version of that franchise.

Another friend has said that he is the wrong for doing that. I, personally, feel all's fair in business as long as it's legal.

So, was my (first) friend right for doing this or is it at all morally/ethically/legally wrong?

 

[toastking]

No problems with finding something you want to do and starting a business in it. If you don't want to compete with others then this world isn't going to be much fun for you.

 

[Beachcomber]

Nothing wrong with that.
So long as you are not using the franchisees image / brand to trade upon. The Franchise will not own the 'concept' of the business - otherwise McDonalds would be shutting down every other burger shop in the world!

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Good for him, they are there to show you what you should do right, so copy their good parts and add your own magic. take Macdonalds they have perfect ranges for Men and Kids but would Ladies like a low cal salad or something along those lines, just look at all those families where the Ladies have a coffee or soft drink whilst the rest of the family eat a big Mac and fries

 

[Kymera]

Thanks for the replies.

See, that's exactly what I thought. When friend #1 said he was doing it, I thought "good for you", but friend #2 was pretty insistent and actually quite aggravated that friend #1 had done it.

I'm glad that it's not my moral compass that's out of whack! Thanks.

(ps I love this forum. It's so helpful and motivating. Thanks to everyone that contributes)

 

[inspired38]

Is Friend 2 a business owner or the owner of a job? If the latter, easy to take the moral high ground. While plagiarism is not allowed at school - its perfectly fine to look and see what other successful people do in business and mirror them. It forces you and them to get better and the subsequent customer experience is also better.

 

[Kymera]

Yeah, friend #2 is a an employee, not a business owner and I see what you mean.

It was a bit heated when the two friends "discussed" friend #1's move into business.

I will let friend #1 know what people on here have said. I think it will reinforce his decision and enable him to go forward in confidence now.