switching to a general courier
Yes, sounds like a stupid bean counter decision. I think people that buy into Franchises are being conned. They supply capital, premises, staff and basically are an employee in all but name. Responsible for everything yet only able to use the Franchise supplies. KFC isn't a fast food chain, it's a marketing company, so inevitable they will end up using a cheaper inappropriate supplier for the outsourced distribution.
Franchises are nasty and exploitive.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
