Chapter 229
Chapter 229
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 229
Chapter Title: The Franchisee Choice
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"You're not wrong about that."
Calling in the franchisee representatives and refusing any compromise—just sell it for 6,900 won, period.
If you're going to push through like that, what's the point of even opening the negotiation table?
It just makes the franchisees who worked hard to form the council and elect a rep look like fools.
It's like pretending to communicate, only to confirm that HQ is completely unresponsive.
"So we're giving the franchisees a choice."
"......A choice, you say?"
"We'll ask for their opinion one more time. Option 1: 6,900 won. Option 2: 7,300 won. They'll vote on one."
"!"
Surprise flashed across Noh Sung-min and Jeong Mi-hyun's faces. Then, thinking I'd overplayed my hand, they quickly shouted.
"Go—for it!"
"If the vote lands on 7,300 won, you'll really let us sell at that price, right? No dodging it as 'just gathering opinions'?"
They must feel tricked. I smiled and replied.
"Of course."
A flicker of joy crossed Noh Sung-min and Jeong Mi-hyun's faces. They exchanged subtle glances, clearly thinking they'd pulled it off.
*'We beautifully fooled the clueless rookie... something like that?'*
It wasn't an unreasonable thought. Even Jo Yi-ruk and Noh Se-hee on either side of me were looking at me with faint unease.
They knew I wasn't one for empty gestures, but this proposal was too radical even for them.
Finally unable to hold back, Noh Se-hee pulled her chair closer and whispered.
"Um, CEO."
"What's up?"
"You should retract what you just said right now. I get your intent, but giving the franchisees a choice isn't all upside."
Noh Se-hee frowned slightly and continued.
"Isn't HQ's whole point to gather opinions from countless franchisees, gain a broader perspective, and chart the path forward?"
"Right."
"Especially for a price hike—most franchisees will unconditionally pick the higher one. Regardless of how it affects the customer base."
Noh Se-hee wasn't wrong.
Some franchisees might choose 6,900 won out of worry over customer loss. But plenty would go for 7,300 won to boost immediate sales.
And if the decided price didn't align with market logic, who could shoulder that blame?
*'In that sense, leaving the price hike up to a franchisee vote? It's downright insane.'*
I knew that. It was a massively bold move.
"So please just pretend that didn't happen..."
"Hey, what are you whispering about with him sitting right there?"
Noh Sung-min couldn't stand it and interrupted. He seemed to think Jo Yi-ruk and Noh Se-hee might be manipulating me.
"CEO, thank you for this bold decision. It doesn't make sense that we can't decide the price of the food we sell."
"Absolutely."
Noh Sung-min chimed right in on Jeong Mi-hyun's words.
"You think so too, right, Boss Kim?"
"Pardon?"
Noh Sung-min subtly glanced at Kim Jong-chun. It was a signal to chime in and seal the deal.
As eyes suddenly turned to him, Kim Jong-chun stiffened for a moment.
"Well..."
He seemed to ponder briefly, then lifted his head straight and spoke.
"...But that's not the whole story, is it?"
I was the only one who grasped the meaning of his blunt remark. Noh Sung-min and Jeong Mi-hyun looked baffled, like he'd spouted nonsense.
As expected from the old man.
All that time watching me from the sidelines wasn't for nothing. With innocent eyes but firm conviction, Kim Jong-chun gazed at me.
The look of total trust, believing there had to be a reason behind my choice.
I grinned back.
"Naturally."
*Who do you think I am?*
I've got real skill at buttering up franchisees. How many times did I wrestle with this before my regression?
Looking at the wide-eyed Noh Sung-min and Jeong Mi-hyun, I continued.
"Behind Option 1—6,900 won—there are a few extra conditions."
"......What do you mean?"
"You franchisees want a price hike, but HQ doesn't. So to get you to match our price, we have to offer corresponding perks, right?"
Simple logic.
Even choices on a balanced scale. Only one way to tip it.
Put the benefits I offer on one side, and it'll inevitably lean that way.
"First, raw material price cuts."
"......!"
"Second, franchise fee reductions."
"Heok."
"Finally, extra incentives for top-performing franchises. How's that sound?"
They acted like they never saw this counteroffer coming. Well, with those fresh faces that look too young for their own good, it's understandable.
We'd need more discussion on exact cut amounts. Still, this was a pretty groundbreaking proposal.
"Even with that, you think the franchisees will stick to 7,300 won?"
"......"
"......"
A heavy silence settled in.
They looked dazed from the unexpected punch. Soon, Noh Sung-min burst into hearty laughter first.
"Hahaha! Man, we completely misread you."
As his laughter faded, he rubbed his face dry and muttered to himself.
"We lost. Totally lost."
He even raised both hands lightly in surrender.
"Can't beat you at all. Isn't this your first negotiation table for Hapjae Gukbap? You're better than seasoned pros."
"Thanks for the praise."
"Aw, praise? This is a curse. We danced right in the palm of your hand, CEO Song."
Half earnest, half joking, I just laughed it off.
"President Jeong, relax your face~. The conditions aren't bad from what I hear."
"Haa. You can't keep this up till the end."
Jeong Mi-hyun let out a deep sigh, unable to hold back. She'd been warning Noh Sung-min nonstop not to get too casual.
"It's basically over."
"Still."
"I'm satisfied, though. Raw material costs and franchise fees down? It's true there's psychological resistance over 7,000 won. A 400-won hike plus lower fixed costs? I'd welcome it with both hands up~."
Noh Sung-min even crossed his arms and nodded to himself.
"No matter how high sales get, if fixed costs bleed you dry, it's like building on shaky ground—wobbling this way and that."
"Euu..."
Jeong Mi-hyun sighed deeply again.
"Hahaha!"
Oblivious or not to her frustration, Noh Sung-min just chuckled away.
The tense atmosphere melted away in an instant. That alone restored some leeway in everyone's hearts—maybe that was Noh Sung-min's intent.
*'The mood had fully swung our way, now back to neutral.'*
Intentional or not, I couldn't tell.
"No, CEO. But seriously, what's left for you? Hapjae Gukbap's fees aren't high to begin with, and materials are cheaper than most."
Coming from other franchises, he knew it well. I nodded.
"With the price hike, you're conceding sales volume. HQ should share the pain."
Squeezing franchisees just drops food quality and service.
I thought it was obvious. But how it landed—who knows—Noh Sung-min's big eyes welled up with tears.
"B-Boss?"
"Sniff, huuu~!"
Then he broke into outright sobs.
At a loss amid the bewilderment, Noh Sung-min sniffled and continued.
"Sniff, sob. I've been to plenty of these tables, but... sniff, no one's ever said it like you did today, CEO Song...!"
Looks like I'd hit some emotional button in Noh Sung-min.
"You'll be blessed. Absolutely!"
"A, ahaha. Y-Yeah."
Unable to watch Noh Sung-min's meltdown, Jeong Hye-min turned her head away. Kim Jong-chun just smiled awkwardly.
And so, The Song's first price-hike negotiation table came to a close.
"Feels like a storm just blew through."
I muttered in an exhausted voice. I'd barely stopped Noh Sung-min from bursting into tears nonstop, insisting we couldn't end this precious connection here and must at least share a meal.
He swore he had rare liquor from 20 years ago and begged me to come taste it sometime. Even as Jeong Hye-min dragged him away, he shouted desperately.
I shook my head, but a faint smile crept onto my lips.
Because that pure goodwill didn't feel half bad.
"You two worked hard today."
"No need. We didn't do much."
Noh Se-hee shrugged.
"Honestly, I was hoping to see your weak side this time. But CEO Song stays CEO Song."
"Haha. That's praise, right?"
"Sure is. You handle everything like you've done it hundreds of times."
Because I really had... I just smiled silently, and Noh Se-hee pressed again.
"Why suggest that compromise?"
"Why do you ask?"
"......You know. Franchisors have the right to set prices."
I did. I nodded readily.
*'And that franchise law gets amended in the future—I know that too.'*