Taking care of business: Are franchise systems structured to promote conflict?

This article outlines the research methods used and salient issues raised by a major franchise research project undertaken by a team of researchers from the Griffith University Asia-Pacific Centre for Franchising Excellence. Data were gathered through qualitative interviews with industry experts, case studies of franchise systems and a mail survey to franchisees from across Australia. In addition to providing demographic data, survey respondents provided details of a conflict situation they had experienced in relation to franchising, how it was managed or resolved and their satisfaction with the process(es) used.