In 1996 Paul Green, a University of Pennsylvania philosophy graduate, started giving guitar lessons in his home. At one point, he asked a group of his students to sit in, or “jam,” with his own band. Initially, the results of this effort did not meet his expectations. But over time, Green found that the students who played in a group did better than the students receiving only individual instruction. As a result, he modified his teaching methods to supplement individual lessons with group practices. He compared it to the difference between shooting hoops and playing basketball. Green continued combining individual instruction with group jam sessions. In 1998, he decided to expand beyond his home and opened the Paul Green School of Rock Music in Philadelphia. The building he chose had several small rooms for individual lessons along with a larger space for jam sessions and concerts. He also started organizing students, with similar skill levels, into bands. Green placed his top students into what he chose to call the school’s AllStars band. The band started getting gigs in the Philadelphia area and attracted media attention. In 2003, filmmakers Sheena M. Joyce and Don Argott attended a concert the students presented and decided to make a documentary about the Paul Green School of Rock Music and how it transformed high school students into performing musicians. A film crew followed a class of students through a nine-month school year and produced a documentary titled Rock School....

Discussion Questions:

1.What types of characteristics do you anticipate School of Rock looks for in franchisees?
2.Look at Table 15.2. Of the ways mentioned in this table for franchisors to develop franchisees, which ones are the most important for School of Rock to emphasize to support its franchisees?
3.If you were to consider buying a School of Rock franchise, what issues would concern you the most about your ability to achieve success as a franchisee for this company?
4.Over the next 10 years, what do you think lies ahead for School of Rock? What are some things that could go right for the firm and some of the things that could go wrong as the firm continues selling franchise locations as a means of growth?

Data From Table 15.2.

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TABLE 15.2 Selecting and Developing Effective Franchisees Qualities to Look for in Prospective Franchisees Good work ethic. Ability to follow instructions. Ability to operate with minimal supervision. Team oriented. Experience in the industry in which the franchise competes. Adequate financial resources and a good credit history. Ability to make suggestions without becoming confrontational or upset if the suggestions are not adopted. Ability to represent the franchisor in a positive manner. Ways Franchisors Can Develop Their Franchisees' Potential Provide mentoring that supersedes routine training. Keep operating manuals up to date. Keep product, services, and business systems up to date. Solicit input from franchisees to reinforce their importance in the larger system. Encourage franchisees to develop a franchise association. Maintain the franchise system's integrity.