God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 157

That pamphlet Chu Jong-wook handed over.

I couldn't possibly forget it. It was the material used during franchisee consultations. I had to review it multiple times to ensure it was clean and clear, using colors with good visibility.

I remember Assistant Manager Yang Ji-a putting a lot of effort into it.

And he brought that material here... What? Why isn't the revenue matching this?

How am I supposed to answer this? I was at a loss for words, unsure where to begin explaining that 'estimated profit' is just that—an estimate.

As I closed my mouth, Chu Jong-wook shouted once more.

"I invested all my savings trusting you people completely! Huh? At first, business seemed good, but after three months, the profits plummeted. What am I supposed to do about this?!"

"Sir. This is just supplementary material provided to aid explanation. It's an 'estimated' profit, after all."

I said, suppressing my frustration.

"Each store has a different location and size, so how can we explain uniformly? However, we explained that this is the average profit generated in a typically sized store."

"No! That's exactly it!"

Chu Jong-wook showed no sign of backing down. He tapped the pamphlet again and said:

"Our store has exactly the same square footage as the one shown here. So why isn't our profit matching this?!"

"...As I said earlier, this is just reference material."

"How can that be?! We decide whether to open a business or not based on this material. What happened to the guaranteed 5 million won every month?!"

Did someone say such a thing?

That shouldn't be possible. We've trained our consulting staff to be careful with their words to avoid such misunderstandings.

"If our employee said such a thing, I apologize. However, profit is not guaranteed in any franchise. That's the nature of self-employment."

If profit were guaranteed, it would be a salaried job, not self-employment. Conversely, if business goes exceptionally well, they wouldn't accept being limited to just the guaranteed profit.

"What?! How can you say such irresponsible things!"

Chu Jong-wook shouted, his legs shaking.

"People's minds can change, but this is too much! During the consultation, you clearly said we could definitely earn 5 million won every month!"

"If you can tell me the name of the employee who consulted with you, we'll take appropriate measures. But as I said, profit guarantee is not possible..."

"Not possible? Are you saying I'm being unreasonable?!"

Yes.

I wanted to answer directly but held back. I closed my mouth with a slight smile, and seeing this, Chu Jong-wook's face turned red and blue.

"I... Do you think I'll just sit back after experiencing this?! This is clearly abuse of power! It's corporate tyranny!"

"If you're not satisfied with your profits, we can provide after-care service. We can send a company employee to inspect your store and provide management consulting."

"No, forget about that! Then I'd be earning it myself, not you doing anything for me, right?"

"...?"

Does he even understand what he's saying? As I was starting to feel dazed, Chu Jong-wook continued.

"If I'm the one working my bones off to earn, what exactly are you doing? Other places use fancy advertising models! What are you doing here while taking franchise fees every month?!"

"That's why we hardly charge any promotional costs except for the 1.5% royalty."

Expensive celebrities? Of course, we could do that if we poured in money.

But that would only increase the burden on franchisees. How much net profit would go to each owner if we saved on advertising and promotion costs alone.

"Instead of promotion, I'm putting my face out there on various broadcasts as much as possible. Don't you think that itself is promotion for the <The Song> brand?"

What do you think I'm running around and working hard for? In the end, promotion is about making the brand name known to the public and creating familiarity.

Through consistent broadcasting activities, people should have become quite familiar with <The Song>'s franchise brand by now.

That itself is a tremendous advertising effect.

Chu Jong-wook openly snorted at my words.

"Hah! You talk well. You're just trying to sell something while enjoying some popularity. Why are you doing this between fellow businessmen? Huh?"

"......"

"Anyway! I absolutely can't stand this. This is an unfair contract and corporate tyranny. If you don't properly compensate for the damages I've suffered, I'll go to the press and reveal everything about you!"

So this was the purpose.

It seems the long preamble was all to bring up this main point. He's talking about 'damage compensation', but to put it bluntly, it means this:

'Give me money?'

He must have calculated that since I appear on broadcasts and am the CEO of this franchise, my pockets must be quite deep.

Franchisor and franchisee.

Using this sensitive and precarious relationship to intimidate me.

'He thinks I can't move freely because my face is known, and that I'll be easily swayed according to his wishes.'

His intention to make a quick buck out of this was clearly visible. Well, well.

I raised one corner of my mouth and chuckled.

'Should I call it naive? Or reckless?'

Did he think a young woman would panic and not know what to do in this situation? I'm sorry to disappoint, but this isn't the first time I've faced such an incident.

"These days, there are many franchisees dissatisfied with the headquarters~ I'm going to unite with those people and expose all your tyranny to the world!"

Seeing my calm reaction, Chu Jong-wook shouted once more. This time, he waved his hands threateningly, not at me, but at the employees behind me.

"Eek."

"Ugh......"

The employees flinched and stepped back. Amidst this, I sensed someone approaching and standing behind me.

Without turning my head, I could immediately tell who it was by the whispering voice in my ear.

"CEO. I've checked Franchisee Chu Jong-wook's background."

It was Jo I-ruk. Even though I hadn't said anything, Jo I-ruk pointed out the key information.

"He has an impressive history of joining other franchises."

Ah. A habitual offender.

I could immediately understand how Chu Jong-wook had the idea to come straight to the headquarters and cause a scene.

Normally, they would have placated and sent him away, if only out of fear. He probably made a habit of throwing tantrums a few times to pocket some pocket money, and when the headquarters got used to it and refused, he would move on to another place.

It was pretty clear.

"It might be better to resolve this quietly."

Jo I-ruk cautiously shared his opinion.

"CEO, your face is quite well-known, and journalists won't let go of such bait. They'll all pounce to take a bite."

I suppose so.

"And <The Song>'s advertising and promotional effect entirely relies on you, CEO. In other words, if your reputation is damaged, there's a risk that sales for all of <The Song>'s franchise brands could drop."

Everything is a double-edged sword.

Thanks to me, we didn't need to hire a promotional model, but conversely, if my image were to fall, it would be a fatal blow in its own way.

"If possible... it might be best to placate him and send him away."

Jo I-ruk's suggestion is the reasonable conclusion.

Other franchises would have responded similarly.

I closed my eyes briefly and then opened them. Chu Jong-wook was looking at me with a triumphant face, arms crossed.

His face was full of mischief. I smiled gently and said,

"Let's do that then."

"Ahem. Now we're talking. Did that guy next to you give you a hint?"

His smirking face clearly said, 'I knew it.' I could also sense his confidence, thinking, 'What could you do even if you resist?'

I put down the pamphlet with a thud and continued.

"Please do as you wish. Unite with others, report us, whatever you like."

"...Huh?"

Chu Jong-wook suddenly had a blank expression. He seemed to be having trouble interpreting what he had just heard.

I explained once more in simpler terms.

"It's your right to unite with other franchisees who are dissatisfied with us. If we tried to stop you, wouldn't that be real tyranny?"

"......"

"Are you finished with what you wanted to say?"

When I asked once more with a smile, Chu Jong-wook let out a disbelieving laugh.

"Ha...!"

Then, with a clatter!

He stood up roughly from his seat and shouted.

"You'll see! I'll make you regret today for the rest of your life!"

Bang!

Chu Jong-wook slammed the door shut and left on his own. The sound of his stomping footsteps echoed through the corridor.

Phew.

Finally got rid of him.

I let out a deep sigh of relief and turned around.

"Everyone, good work. Is anyone hur......"

Oh. Everyone's eyes were fixed on me at once. I was startled and stopped mid-sentence.

"...?"

As I tilted my head in confusion, Jo I-ruk messed up his hair while groaning.

"Ugh... CEO, do you even realize what you've just done?"

"Hmm. I got rid of a troublemaker, right?"

"Not that!"

Jo I-ruk acted as if he was about to faint.

Swoosh.

At that moment, the door to my office opened, and Park Sang-won and Roh Se-hee walked out.

"Ah, Team Leader Roh. Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes. I have a bit of a headache, though."

Roh Se-hee said, pressing her forehead.

"CEO Song Woo-yeon. I don't think you didn't know how to handle that person better."

"Haha."

"So I have no choice but to trust you this time too."

Roh Se-hee raised her head, her eyes flashing.

"How do you plan to respond?"

"......"

I just grinned without saying a word.