One thing we have all learned is that during a crisis we Americans usually step up and lend each other a helping hand. Although this article will not go into detail, this author is proud to say that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of examples of both franchisors and franchisees who have donated and are currently donating their goods or services to those in need. But what about the many franchisors and franchisees who cannot donate, are struggling to survive and pay their employees because they are not permitted to provide their goods or services, their supply chains have been interrupted, or their method of operation does not allow for a safe work environment. What does franchising look like during the current COVID‑19 pandemic and afterward?

There is little question that the current pandemic is something that no business, including franchised businesses, could have anticipated. The crisis that franchising is facing now has demonstrated a number of flaws to franchisors/franchisees in their business models, methods of operation, training procedures, supply chains, not to mention deficiencies in the agreement terms which define the relationship between franchisor and franchisees.