[mattdavis11]

Hang in there Jim, good things come to good people.

Recently, I was laid off. I was recruited to expand business with a new product in highly competitive market for my last employer. It was a franchise, but I was brought on board with corporate backing my salary initially, later 100% franchise comp. Sales went through the roof the first year, the second year growth was 100% over the first. After the second year, a local manufacturer of the product folded tent, in the third year a competitor shut down their expansion program after just two years. Another competitor, who had a 30 year strong hold in the area, was closing warehouses and had very little product remaining at their last location. We were on track to grow another 55-60% in unfavorable conditions (competitor liquidation and mother nature) before the plug was pulled. To add insult to injury, the last domino, the aforementioned competitor, fell two weeks later. I was the only field sales rep., covering about 1/5th of Texas.

Corporate had terminated our franchise agreement, leaving everyone unemployed. I was called by the new owner that evening with an offer. I haven't decided, but two of my former co-workers jumped on board. An offer has also been made by anther franchise owner in Houston who I have assisted, and enjoy being around, in the previous years.

It's very hard for me to accept the idea of working under the same (corporate) umbrella. They had never seen such growth with any of their other locations (200 or so), nor the intellectual insight in a market. Our franchise had the knowledge of how to annihilate the competition and it was successfully implemented.

Betrayal.

Sorry for the rant.

I really feel for you, Jim. Best wishes.