To begin, It was the most male-chauvinist workplace I ever encountered. Women are frequently discussed as objects and the good ol' boys are full of stories about the senior division management going to strip clubs, getting drunk and generally acting like fools. The only worse discussion would be what they'd say if you were gay. It was alcohol-fueled, frat house style behavior and wasn't approproiate for the workplace, and it started at the top.
The politics run high, so don't upset the wrong person, as most opportunities for promotion are decided in advance of the position even opening up. Additionally, most employees have been there forever (15-20 years), so there's a long line ahead of you to try to get promoted. For anything at a market manager position or above, they go outside the company, so there is no opportunity for advancement. The politics also lead to different standards. I've had stores tell me they didn't see this one FC for 2 months, but if someone else missed a second visit somewhere, it's a nightmare for them. The other thing it led to was setting someone up for failure. Making someone drive an hour plus to their first store, giving them poor-performing stores, and stores spread out over large areas were just a few ways to set someone up for failure.
They preach autonomy, but it is true micro-management. Everything is a system. Spend 20 minutes doing this task, 10 doing that and don't deviate, or you'll get in trouble. Don't give someone who needs less attention less in favor of someone who needs more attention, or you'll get in trouble. Assemble these ridiculous sales plans that no one ever reads, or you'll get in trouble. Document everything you'll do, (in 1000 characters or less) or you'll get in trouble. Make sure your calendar matches exactly as to where you'll be (because there are no acceptable reasons for emergencies, last minute changes or things that crop up) or you'll get in trouble. If a franchisee doesn't do what he's supposed to do, you have to do it for them , or you'll get in trouble. If they don't feel like shelf-sequencing, completeing training modules with employees, counting cigarettes, ordering properly, you're to do it for them, or you're going to get in trouble. Do it our way, whether it makes any sense or not, or you'll get in trouble. I've seen so many FC's lie about what they did or didn't do just for the sake of a report so they don't get in trouble because they've had to do so much, they didn't have time to do their own job and the store operator's job too.
When I started, I was told it was mostly 9-5, Monday-Friday. To do your job effectively, you're looking at 60+ hours per week, plus another 10 hours at home with paperwork. Additionally, now, you have to go out on nights, weekends, holidays, it doesn't matter. You have to do 25% of your visits on nights and weekends, so quality of life becomes non-existant. That's not including the lovely cell phone which rings at all hours because someone else didn't do their job or the "urgent" voicemails at all hours of the day and night because everyone above you does nothing else in their lives besides 7-Eleven.
When you are a success, it's because of your boss and your team. When you're not as successful, it's a leadership issue. It's a culture that says you should influence and cajole the franchisee into doing something that are bad business. For example, they're going to tell you to cook 24 of an item so you can sell 4 and write off the other 20 and you'll still get in trouble for not selling enough or not being persuasive enough with the franchisee. Ther expectation to sell 10 of a new item in a store that only sells 2 of an exisiting item is just how it works. It breeds bad blood and no trust between corporate and franchisees, and you get no respect from them because they know you are powerless to do anything.
The training process is a joke. 3 weeks clasroom training, followed by months in a corporate store as a manager, and maybe, when they're ready, they'll let you out of the store, even if you've completed the necessary requirements. Oh, and until they choose to let you out, you are an hourly employee (but don't put down more than 48 on your timecard) and you don't get your full salary, or your company car.
And that company car, it'll make you a great mailman. Because there's no such thing as wasting an FC's time, you'll be delivering tons of stuff. Now with the car, you can only take it so far or you'll get in trouble as well.
Oh thank heaven that I don't work there anymore. It was by and large, the worst place I ever worked.
