I operate a 31 restaurant franchise. It is no small task. The franchise is a well known American company and a rapidly growing one. The nature of it is at first, to grow rapidly, once gaining recognition and brand loyalty, objective increasingly focuses on profitability. The brand recognition is gained through marketing and variety. Brand loyalty is gained through product quality and service. Once attained, profits take over and a hard look is taken at price increases, and cost reduction. They idea is less expansion, more sustaining and improving brand value.
The similarities to JW are obvious. They're past rapid expansion stage, they're merely about protecting the brand and increasing profits. These things run their course and level off. There will from time to time be marketable, subtle gimmick attractions that catch the notice of longtime customers/adherents with some focus on new customers/adherents. Theres an increasing focus on less print and more social media and digital marketing in both. We have shifted from traditional orders of 90-100% to now receiving 50-60% being online orders, JW similar transition. Things become less personal and more automated.
The parallels amuse me. But I no longer see JW as a religion as much as I do a pretty well run franchise with a focus on their brand and sitting back enjoying the profits.