Types of Establishments

Franchise vs. Corporate Store vs. Small Business

I have worked for all of these types of establishments and I wanted to share my view of the pros and cons of working at each. I'm only going to touch on a couple subjects, though. Later on, I'll probably write more on this topic.


Job Security

Corporate stores are pretty much always going to have higher job security when it comes to having a business there to have a job at. However, they are also able to easily replace you as they have money enough and traffic enough to advertise a job opening. They also have a neat little tactic called "employee sharing." If one store for Corporate, Inc. has a hole to be filled in a shift, then they can call another store and see if they have someone who wants more hours. This means, they rely that much less on you. (note: not all corporate stores take full advantage of this)

Franchises are not as easily staffed and therefore need to keep a tighter grip on their employees, but they are more likely to fail or be sold than their corporate counterparts.

Small businesses can be here today, gone tomorrow. Most businesses period fail within the first five years. Barring that, you're pretty much set.

However, there is another thing to consider with that:

Hours per Week

The harder it is for your store to replace you, the more hours you're going to get. Period. The fewer employees there are, the more likely you're going to get called in to replace someone who is sick, and the less likely you're going to get a chance to do the same. So take that list up there, and flip it. Of course there are always exceptions--right now I work at a corporate store and we're pretty hard-pressed for people.

Getting Hired

While for the most part, hiring managers are always going to be able to hire you on the spot (for customer service jobs, anyway), there still is a little bit of a difference in styles.

For Corporations, there is almost always certain criteria laid down for the hiring managers to follow such as: drug testing, background checks, certain types of experience, et cetera. So you may be perfect for the job, but smoke a little pot on the weekends. Or you may be a perfectly...rehabilitated felon. You're not gonna get this job.

Franchises are also probably going to be a little more structured when it comes to hiring than small businesses, but they are a little more flexible than corporations.

When you work for a small business, your boss...may just be your dealer. Well, okay, this could be true with corporations, but its far more likely to happen with a less structured hiring process.

Training

Corporations spend hundreds of thousands (if not more) on learning the most cutting edge of training techniques. They have the money for computer programs written specifically for their registers and protocol, seminars you can attend, classes that are tailor-made...basically, if your corporation cares enough, you will be trained so well that you could do your job in a coma.

Franchise stores usually have access to these materials, but they are not required to adhere as closely to that curriculum.

Then, small businesses basically train by having the most knowledgeable person working that day to show the new kid. Sometimes, just the least busy person. On a plus side to this, however, training can lead to a stronger rapport among the staff, the trainer may learn something new, and the process is altogether less cold than an unfeeling computer telling you that you suck.

Raises/Pay/Benefits

Corporations, once again, are far more guaranteed to exist than any other kind of employer. Therefore, the pay, benefits, raises, etc. are all also more guaranteed. Notice I said "more guaranteed" and not just "guaranteed." Yeah, always remember that...

When it comes to pay, though, the harder it is to replace you, the more you will get paid (that is unless its just hard for them to find someone to work as cheap as you). Both in accumulated hours and your hourly wages.

And finally, to make it easier to get on with your day:

Overall Employee Satisfaction

Corporations don't care if your happy. They do, but only to the point of you staying with the company (if you're useful). Your boss may be a little more concerned, but they are bound by the rules and whims of the company.

Franchises are pretty much the same.

However, small business owners (if they know what's good for them) will usually take a personal interest in your life: they will probably want to meet your spouse, they may take you soup when you're sick at home, they might occasionally demand you take a vacation when you've worked hard...they may even fudge numbers for you, just to make life easier. (this is not recommended for you SB owners out there!) They are also more likely to recognize the little things, like shining all the metal in the store, or being exceptionally patient with a difficult customer. They will celebrate things with you like birthdays or weddings...they are more likely to become a friend of yours, even after you find a better job.

And most of all, a small business owner is more likely to say to a customer:
"Get the f*** out of my store!!"