Are Children’s Orchard Franchise Owners Giving “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
