Will the WTS follow the McDonald's corporate model?

by sir82 12 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  sir82

  As most people know, McDonald's derives the principal part of its earnings, not from greasy food, but from real estate.

  They buy property, then, in addition to charging franchisees for the right to use their name, they charge them rent for the building sitting on corporately-owned real estate.

  This business model yields well over $20 billion per year in gross revenue.

  Could this be the idea behind the soon-to-come revamp of the RBCs into LDCs? The WTS will purchase property and charge its "franchisees" (the congregations) a fee to use the building on the site?

  Of course, it wouldn't be called a "franchise fee" or even "rent", it would be named something like a "voluntary contribution to support Kingdom Interests" or some such folderol.

  Any "non-performing" congregations would get shut down and/or merged, and the property sold. Maybe "high-performing" congregations would get perks like Bethel speakers, or maybe even regional conventions more closely located to them.
  

  Any real estate gurus out there? Could a non-profit religious entity get away with charging an (in essence) franchise fee / rent for property it owns?
  
• 

  hoser

  Any real estate gurus out there? Could a non-profit religious entity get away with charging an (in essence) franchise fee / rent for property it owns?

  Why not?  None of the members will vocally object even though they know they are getting hosed.
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  I suspect the LDC is just for that.  I imagine that highly desirable properties will be sold with the explanation that a newfangled design from "Jehovah" will contribute greatly toward uniformity and attract people to the religion, when it's just a way to sell a piece of land and rent (voluntarily, of course) a new parcel in a less-desirable place to the same people who paid for the last place.

  Twofold, the LDC is also a way to convince members that "Mother" is doing something with all that cash she grabbed.
• 

  runForever

  I'm just wondering who is or who will slaughter that manger-fed bull? Mmm ribeye.
  
• 

  Simon

  I'm no real-estate guru but it would seem to be a fundamental rule that if you own a property then you can charge someone for using it.

  The congregations already pay as though they are a franchise though, even the ones that own their own halls outright. They send donations to the society that they collect from their local members even though the local congregation is usually registered as the charity.

  I'm sure they would like it more locked down - if a congregation isn't performing (paying enough) or voices any discontent then they can be evicted with no risk to the WTS of any breakaway, rogue halls as has happened in the past.

  A more important question would be: would you like fries with that Watchtower?
• 

  Socrateswannabe

  Sir, I am not well versed on real estate but I can imagine all that you say coming true. They already use this model in their management of the assembly halls. The locals pay for the facility in the first place, and then pay inflated rent in the form of expenses for their one day gatherings. I have heard a range of $8-15,000 a day, depending upon the location. With no debt service on the building and all volunteer labor for its maintenance, it's doubtful that it costs a million bucks a year or more to upkeep one of those places. So yes, I think it would be very enticing for them to adopt that model in relation to their kingdom halls.
• 

  Crazyguy

  This is exactly  what their doing, they took over all the property's and now the congregations have to pay a pledged amount each month. Old halls those also on good property will be sold. Congregations will be joined and several congregations per hall to maximize prophet. Im willing to bet that the new design coming out will be like that of a office style building so its easier and more attractive for someone to buy. Not many kh's now, do any prospective buyers want to buy unless they need a church or want to tear down the building. 
• 

  prologos

  Do not the mainstream church's central authorities  own their local real estate too? is wt just late in getting wise to this "the meek will inherit the earth" deal?

  are the 'meek that inherit the earth' not the "anointed" now the "FDS=GB" (according to wt doctrine)?

  must not wt corporate practice conform to their belief system?

  pay! for spiritual death dealing J-food.  

  did not McDonald's go through a major revamping of their properties/ building arrangement too? 
• 

  AFRIKANMAN

  McD's have Ronald..................WTS has Stephen and Toni III -

  Would one be able to request a "play area" be built on the KH property ? Could be a coup for getting meeting attendances up!
• 

  stuckinarut2

  They could bring back "the hamburglar!" ..... After all, the org has been stealing both lives and money from people for years!