Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: The Troublesome Franchisee
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The pamphlet that Chu Jong-wook held out.
There was no way I wouldn't recognize it. It was the material we used for franchise owner consultations. We'd had to confirm it over and over to make it clean and clear, using highly visible colors.
I especially remembered Yang Ji-a, the deputy manager, putting in real effort on it.
And now he brings this material here... What? Why isn't the revenue matching up to this?
What was I supposed to say in response? "Expected revenue" was just that—expected. I was at a complete loss for where to even begin explaining.
As I clamped my mouth shut, Chu Jong-wook bellowed even louder.
"I'm the one who trusted you people blindly and invested my life savings! Yeah? At first, business was booming, but three months in, revenue drops off a cliff. Is this how you do things?!"
"President Chu. This is just supplementary material provided to help with explanations. It's 'expected' revenue, after all."
I swallowed my frustration and spoke up.
"Every store has different locations and different square footage. How could we explain it all uniformly? All we said was that stores of average size typically see revenue around this level."
"No, that's not it!"
Chu Jong-wook showed no sign of backing down. He tapped the pamphlet again and said,
"Our store has the exact same square footage as the one listed here. So why isn't the revenue matching up?!"
"...As I mentioned earlier, this is purely for reference."
"Where does it say that?! We're the ones deciding whether to open based on this material. You said we'd get a steady 5 million won every month, didn't you?!"
Had someone actually said that?
No way. We'd trained our consultants to be careful with their words precisely to avoid misunderstandings like that.
"If one of our staff said that, I apologize. But no franchise guarantees revenue. That's just how self-employment works."
If revenue was guaranteed, it'd be a salaried job, not self-employment. And conversely, even if business boomed, no one would stand for being capped at a "guaranteed" amount.
"What?! That's the most irresponsible thing I've ever heard!"
Chu Jong-wook's legs shook as he roared.
"Hey, they say people change their minds between going to the bathroom and coming back—but this is too much, isn't it? During consultations, you clearly said we'd make at least 5 million won a month, no question!"
"Tell me the name of the staff member who consulted with you, and we'll take action on our end. But as I said, revenue guarantees don't exist..."
"Don't exist? So you're saying I'm just making a fuss for no reason?!"
Yes.
I wanted to say it outright but held back. I just gave a slight smile and stayed quiet. For some reason, that made Chu Jong-wook's face turn red then purple.
"You think... you think I'll just sit here and take this?! This is straight-up abuse of power! Corporate bullying!"
"If you're not satisfied with your revenue, we can provide aftercare services. That means sending headquarters staff to inspect your store and offer management consulting."
"No, forget that! Am I the one earning the money, or are you?"
"......?"
Did he even realize what he was saying? As my mind reeled, he continued.
"I bust my ass working my bones to the marrow to make money, so what exactly are you doing? Other places use big-shot celebrity models for ads! Here, you just take the monthly franchise fee—what's that about?!"
"That's why, aside from the 1.5% royalty, our promotional costs are basically zero, right?"
Big-name celebrities with sky-high fees? Sure, we could splash cash and do it if we wanted.
But that would only burden our franchisees more. Just by skimping on ad costs, we pass on so much more net profit to each owner.
"I'm out there showing my face on as many broadcasts as possible in place of promotion. Doesn't that count as advertising for [The Song] brand?"
Why else would I be running around everywhere, suffering through it all? Promotion is ultimately about getting the brand name out there and building familiarity with the public.
Thanks to my steady TV appearances, people were probably pretty familiar with [The Song] franchise by now.
That alone was a massive advertising effect.
Chu Jong-wook snorted derisively at my words.
"Hah! You talk a good game. You're just riding your popularity to sell anything. Why make it hard on fellow merchants like this? Huh?"
"......"
"Anyway! I won't stand for it. This is an unfair contract and corporate bullying. If you don't compensate me properly for my losses, I'll go to the press and expose all your dirty secrets—do your worst!"
So that was his goal.
All that long-winded preamble was just setup for this main point. He was talking about "compensation for damages," but translating it plainly: this.
"Hand over the money?"
Since I was on TV and ran a franchise, he must've figured my pockets were deep.
Headquarters versus franchise owner.
He was exploiting this sensitive, precarious relationship to intimidate me.
"Since my face is well-known, I can't move carelessly, so he'll get his way easily."
He thought he could score a quick payout. It was all too obvious.
I curled one corner of my mouth and let out a soft chuckle.
"Naive? Or just reckless?"
Did he think a young woman like me would panic and flounder when faced with this? Sorry to disappoint, but it wasn't my first rodeo.
"Lately, there've been tons of franchise owners unhappy with headquarters~. I'm linking up with them to expose all your bullying to the world!"
When my reaction seemed lukewarm, Chu Jong-wook yelled again. This time, he wildly waved his arms, as if threatening the staff behind me.
"Eek."
"Ugh..."
The employees flinched back in surprise. Amid it all, I felt someone rush up and stand right behind me.
I didn't turn around, but the whisper in my ear told me exactly who it was.
"President. I've checked Chu Jong-wook's franchise history."
It was Jo Yi-ruk. Even without me saying a word, he cut straight to the chase.
"He's got a colorful history with other franchises."
Ah. A serial offender.
That explained how he'd marched straight to headquarters ready to make a scene.
Normally, they'd be too scared of the mess—even a dog with something to hide—and soothe him with a payout, sending him on his way. He'd pull this stunt a few times for pocket money, and when headquarters finally refused, he'd move on to the next place.
It all made sense.
"You'd be wise to settle this quietly."
Jo Yi-ruk offered his opinion cautiously.
"You're pretty well-known, President, and reporters don't miss a meal ticket. They'll all pile on to take a bite."
Probably.
"And [The Song]'s promotional effects rely entirely on you, don't they? In other words, if your reputation takes a hit, the entire [The Song] franchise brand risks a revenue drop."
Everything's a double-edged sword.
We didn't need a promo model because of me, but if my image tanked, it'd be a fatal blow just the same.
"If possible... it'd be best to appease him and send him off."
Jo Yi-ruk's advice was the sensible conclusion.
Other franchises probably handled it the same way.
I closed my eyes briefly and opened them. Chu Jong-wook stood there, arms crossed, looking smug as he stared me down.
His face was plastered with malice. I smiled brightly and said,
"Let's do that."
"Ahem. Finally, we're getting somewhere. Did that guy next to you give you a hint?"
His smirking face screamed, "Of course." Like, what could you do against me anyway? That kind of swagger.
I set the pamphlet down with a thud and continued.
"Go ahead however you like. Link up with others, file complaints, whatever."
"......Huh?"
Chu Jong-wook's face went blank for a moment. He seemed unable to process what he'd just heard.
I explained it simply one more time.
"It's your right to join up with other unhappy franchise owners. If we blocked you, that really would be bullying, wouldn't it?"
"......"
"Have you said everything you wanted to say?"
When I asked again with a smile, he let out an incredulous laugh.
"Ha...!"
Then,
Thud!
He shot up from his chair and shouted.
"You'll regret this for the rest of your lives—watch me!"
Bang!
Chu Jong-wook slammed the door and stormed out on his own two feet. His footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Whew.
Finally rid of him.
I let out a deep sigh of relief and turned around.
"You all did great. No one got hurt...?"
Huh? Everyone's eyes were fixed on me. I froze in surprise.
"......?"
As I tilted my head in confusion, Jo Yi-ruk groaned and ruffled his hair frantically.
"Ughhh... President, do you even know what you just did?"
"Um. Kicked out the troublemaker?"
"Besides that!"
Jo Yi-ruk looked like he might faint.
Swish.
Just then, the president's office door opened, and Park Sang-won and No Se-hee walked out.
"Ah, Team Leader No. Feeling better?"
"Yeah. My head still hurts a bit, though."
No Se-hee pressed her forehead as she spoke.
"Song Woo-yeon President. I don't think you were unaware of how to handle that guy."
"Haha."
"So I have no choice but to trust you this time too."
No Se-hee looked up, eyes gleaming.
"How do you plan to respond?"
"......"
I just grinned silently.