People size you up. The company owns 84 units of three major restaurant brands. Though there are more opportunities today for minorities, he says the rosy picture of diversity espoused by many restaurant companies isn't always how it works. You go to their headquarters and boardrooms and you can see diversity. Though women and minorities are found in the boardroom, Li says such inclusion often falls down through lack of enforcement at middle management level and downward.
Companies practice diversity cosmetically.
It's like buying insurance for the future,'' he says. Companies doling out franchises look for people with business savvy, people who speak their language, people who relate to the pressures of being in business,'' says Chisholm. It's a part of the business culture of connections and networking. She and two partners own one Churchs Chicken unit and intend to add four more within three years. Skin color and gender didn't stop them from researching opportunities and raising funds.