Children’s Orchard CEO Taylor Bond claims, in a recent press release, that as it celebrates its 30th anniversary, his troubled company continues to be the leader and trailblazer of the “upscale resale franchise concept.”
He claims that his recent operational and franchise innovations “have helped to increase store inventories, boosted customer traffic and satisfaction, and resulted in an overall increase in store sales.”
Bond also claims the changes are attracting savvy prospective franchise owners: “we’re attracting a greater number of business owners who see us…for the sophisticated business model we offer.”
Taylor Bond states: “Customers and franchise owners alike are giving us rave reviews.”
If these claims are true, Children’s Orchard CEO Taylor Bond is engineering a turnaround that’s nothing short of amazing.
Just last year, disgruntled Children’s Orchard franchise owners launched the OrchardCooperative.org website to protest Taylor Bond’s management and franchise policies and practices. According to the site,
“Many franchisees—after years in the business—have yet to make a profit, and many are being forced to close shop. Under Mr. Bond’s leadership, the number of stores has declined steadily from 86 in 2004, to 77 in 2007, to 71 in 2008, and to 61 in 2009. A handful of others are expected to close their doors this year.”
Currently, the number of stores listed on the Children’s Orchard site is just 51, down from nearly one hundred at one time. While Children’s Orchard stores have been closing, competitors seem to be thriving with similar concepts.
The statements and Taylor Bond quotes come from a 30th Anniversary press release (“Nation’s First Children’s Resale Franchise Reveals Business Model for Future”) issued by the company and posted on Franchising.com, Ann Arbor Biz and a handful of franchise blogs. Here are excerpts from the press release outlining the improvements claimed by Children’s Orchard:
“Larger stores, a reconfigured layout, and an emphasis on convenience and shopability…”
“…no-appointment-needed Walk-In Buying (with the industry’s only 20 minute guarantee) and seasonal Tent Sales”
“…we’ve enhanced the process by which we buy clothes from customers, and we’ve improved efficiency of back-end operations. Customers and franchise owners alike are giving us rave reviews.”
“The addition of these new elements to its business model, first tested at the company’s flagship location in Ann Arbor, Michigan, have helped to increase store inventories, boosted customer traffic and satisfaction, and resulted in an overall increase in store sales”
“in March 2010 Children’s Orchard rolled out its online store at www.childorchstore.com”
“Children’s Orchard’s new online store gives moms access to a variety of brand-new products, ranging from eco-friendly handbags to kids toys to software that helps parents monitor their children’s Internet usage.
“Unlike any other children’s resale store, each Children’s Orchard store’s website offers its customers the chance to preview items that have just arrived at their nearest location. They’re called “Just In! Listings” and customers love them.”
“The franchise has also secured marketing partnerships with such well-known ebrands as Net Nanny® and JumpStart®.
“In addition, Children’s Orchard has launched a Social Media campaign on Facebook, engaging its customers through a series of contests and giveaways, and also launched a recipe exchange website designed for today’s busy moms.
“As part of the evolution to a more sophisticated business model, Children’s Orchard has elevated the capital criteria for new franchise owners. ‘We’ve raised the required net worth to reflect a new mindset: it’s not just about operating a store, but about building a business,’ Bond added.”
“’Over the last 30 years, we’ve grown a loyal, nationwide following of Children’s Orchard brand advocates. Most of our franchise owners came from this pool of devoted customers,’ Bond said. ‘And as Children’s Orchard® brings resale shopping into the next century, we’re attracting a greater number of business owners who see us not just for the quality products and services we provide, but for the sophisticated business model we offer.’”
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE CHILDREN’S ORCHARD FRANCHISE? WHAT DO YOU THINK? ARE STORE SALES RISING? HAS TAYLOR BOND TURNED THINGS AROUND? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
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Good points to make.
However, assuming the franchisee of the solid well run location is a savvy business person, doesn't it speak volumns that this business person would rather walk away from a solid investment than to renew under the terms of the renewal contract? Leads one to beleive that the renewal terms are vastly different than the original contract, so much so that the franchise no longer makes sense as an investment.
This franchise wasn't a cheap investment. If the franchisee is willing to just shut doors rather than sell the store, then doesnt' this also tells us there is no market value to the franchise?
And to address the new marketing ideas, perhaps the reason franchisees are not supportive of the new ideas is because of their experiences with the old ideas that were also developed by this same franchisor team?
To All, Taylor Bond is a total fraud. As a former Children's Orchard franchisee, who was fortunate enough to have a contract that pre-dated Mr. Bond, I've watch him financially ruin almost everyone who has come into the business under one of his franchise agreements. With him the playing field is not level, but financially is tilted more and more in his favor. Few people have been able to break even, much less make a decent living under his system. Don't be fooled by a glib tongue.
I was wondering how many stores have closed that opened under Taylor Bond. Does anyone know?
Taylor's new marketing tool, shopping on line, is at the expense of his franchisees. He is selling many items that the franchisees sell in their stores in direct competitions with them. But, he forbids THEM to sell on line! Also, the "Cashe Card" he give away to customers who shop on line can be redeemed at any Children's Orchard store - again at the expense of the franchisee!! Like always, he gets the profit at the franchisees' expense.
I suspect the corporate on-line shopping site is no more popular than Taylor's other attempts at business. Especially his Newcommers Welcome Service which came after another wiz bang business, egismoz.
I really fault the journalists who print the stories that Taylor's marketing pieces pitch, and never ever follow up on the many false and over the top claims he makes in the articles.
Maybe it would be good to follow up with the journalist and point him to this site?
How long will it take for the remaining franchisees to realize that the brand image of this franchise system has faded and lost value? The system will soon be at 49 stores, with more to close within the year. Stores with stable earnings are not being re-sold because many viable prospects walk away after reading the franchise offer or after they have visited the corporate office. How many stores have closed because they couldn't find a buyer? They wouldn't renew because of the current contract and they couldn't sell because of the current contract. This franchise is a mess of epic proportions.
Looks like Taylor is at it again. These are quotes from press releases on what the owners had to say about awards they won:
This month, Liz Lampe was recognized for her achievement in product quality and customer service, as well as consistent sales and traffic increases year after year. The store received a 95 percent customer satisfaction rating, and Lampe’s sales were up 13 percent in the last year.
“We’re very proud to be recognized from among a national system of dedicated business owners, “said Liz Lampe, owner of Children’s Orchard in West Allis. “This achievement couldn’t have been possible without our hardworking staff and loyal customers.”
This month, Debbie Brown was recognized for her achievement in having the highest sales and traffic growth over the past year. As owner of the San Juan Capistrano location, Brown increased her sales by 36.8% and traffic by 39.3%.
“We’re very proud to be recognized from among a national system of dedicated business owners, “said Brown, owner of Children’s Orchard in San Juan Capistrano. “This achievement couldn’t have been possible without our hardworking staff and loyal customers.”
This month, Donahi Bunt and Enedina Zertuche were recognized for their achievement in going above and beyond in developing and implementing creative marketing concepts. Hosting different fashion shows throughout McAllen is just one of the many ways that the owners have shown creativity while implementing new marketing concepts.
“We’re very proud to be recognized from among a national system of dedicated business owners, “said Bunt, owner of Children’s Orchard in McAllen. “This achievement couldn’t have been possible without our hardworking staff and loyal customers.”
There are more but you get the idea. I wonder if the owners gave CO permision to quote them like that. Taylor is also looking for people to partner with to advertise his on-line store. What do the store owners get out of this other than being forced to take a store credit issued by him?
Thanks for posting.
Once again, Taylor's press releases are a joke.
This franchise system has not thrived under his ownership.
The story is in the numbers, not in press releases, and the numbers don't lie.
He can manipulate words, and send out all the press releases he wants, but it doesn't change the reality that his franchise system is not thriving, or stable.
Visitor: I think you're being a bit harsh. ;)
Perhaps Taylor's dedication to recycling led him to reusing the same boilerplate press release. Otherwise he or the PR firm would actually have to talk to franchisees.
OR maybe the West Allis, San Juan Capistrano, & McAllen franchisees just coincidentally said the same thing. So did the franchisees from Laguna Nigel & Springfield:
"We’re very proud to be recognized from among a national system of dedicated business owners," said Wunsch, owner of Children’s Orchard in Laguna Niguel. "This achievement couldn’t have been possible without our hardworking staff and loyal customers."
"We're very proud to be recognized from among a national system of dedicated business owners, "said Gosch, co-owner of Children's Orchard in Springfield. "This achievement couldn't have been possible without our hardworking staff and loyal customers."
Apparently, it's a popular line in other franchise chains as well:
“We’re very proud to be recognized from among a national system of dedicated and successful business owners, “said David Ramsey, owner of the Pump It Up in Manassas. “It’s truly rewarding to be in the business of having fun, and giving back to our local community. This achievement couldn’t have been possible without our hardworking staff and loyal customers.”
Who cares what franchisees really have to say anyway?