Coalition of Franchisee Associations

March 11, 2017

Do Your Customers Want Wi-Fi? Not So Much

This article caught my eye because I tried to remember the last time I looked for a
Wi-Fi connection - I think it's been more than a year. If all your mobile devices have
unlimited data plans why take the risk of connecting with a public Wi-Fi?

And, I recently bought a new car. The dealer and the manufacturer have been giving 
me the hard sell on buying data packages for the built-in Wi-Fi. As long as I have a 
cell connection, why do I need Wi-Fi in my vehicle?

Now that many, if not most, retailers have Wi-Fi and auto manufacturers are trying
to make Wi-Fi and data into profit centers - Wi-Fi's almost obsolete.

A World Without Wi-Fi Looks Possible as Unlimited Plans Rise - Bloomberg
.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Another reason: Free Wi-Fi in public places, like McDonald's, is just annoyingly slow.

Anonymous said...

McDonald's has the slowest wi-fi anywhere; "wi-fi" of last choice. The only time I really use wi-fi when traveling internationally or want to download something big. Power is what customers want, everyone is chasing power!

Richard Adams said...

Going back to the very beginning of computerized POS systems McDonald's has always been behind the curve and the rest of the retail industries. Likely for two reasons: #1 - the bureaucracy always wants to reinvent the wheel (McDonaldlize) the tech, #2 - at every step of the way the McDonald's executives have to slow the process to make their personal, covert arrangments with the vendors.

Anonymous said...

That's the thing I don't like about the franchise business all the skimming done by people on the corporate side. If only franchise owners could know what they are actually paying for supplys and equipment. If the CEO and the board memebers want to take a skim it would be nice if theyd disclose it. Of course once they go public the investors won't like that. If the corporate guys and the vendors have a under the table deal the franchisees become a threat to the corporate guys and the vendors.

Richard Adams said...

Which is why McDonald's Corp, with a few exceptions, only does business with privately held companies. And the relationship with Coke is as secret as the formula for Coca-Cola itself.

Anonymous said...

McDonalds execs strike again. Par and Panasonic POS are fired ,replaced by a single supplier, NCR. I wonder who NCR paid off for the monopoly? Modern and PROGRESSIVE

Anonymous said...

We the O/O's get Gouged every Time we go to 1 single supplier.

This will be no different. The Price will go up because they under Bid or Left a Vital piece out.

It will be 3 years down the road but it will happen.

Anonymous said...

You are an independent business owner you just don't have control over your POS systems, servers, wi-fi, credit card processors etc. etc.

Anonymous said...

To add insult to injury, in a couple years, you'll be required to replace your Par or Panasonic with NCR, whether you need to or not.

Richard Adams said...

And several Chicago execs. will get new boats.

Anonymous said...

I understand the price of the "new MODERN and PROGRESSIVE movement" is 50-60k. Is that an accurate number?

Some locations a little more others a little less.

I have heard that some operators are being put on the carpet and the question or statement is "you need to lower your G and A"

Have some of you been asked this question?

As mentioned in previous emails WE NEED TO FIX OUR FOOD.

Richard, your thoughts? I know you won't be invited to the gallery walk. But you have opinions.