When it comes to conscious capitalism, yogurt behemoth Chobani has caught plenty of attention. While issues pertaining to how companies can adopt AI and machine learning, digitally transform brick-and-mortar stores, and leverage new technologies to reduce attrition and increase safety were front-and-center at the recent National Retail Federation (NRF) 2023: Retail’s Big Show in New York City,...

Everyone has bad customer experiences. They come in all forms. A customer walks into a drugstore to pick up a few basic necessities. They find things like toothpaste and deodorant kept under lock and key. A family visits a flagship store of a luxury brand, ready to buy expensive items. The staff is disaffected and disinterested, content to let the brand do the work for them.

Franchised businesses have always played a fundamental role in the economy. More than 60 percent of all jobs added annually in the U.S. occur in small businesses, including franchised locations. According to data from the International Franchise Association, franchise-format businesses indirectly accounted for $1.6 trillion in economic output for the U.S. economy. Franchises are also the...