Burger King franchise owners blast management in letter to board, say chain in ‘deep trouble’

BK franchisees attack management in board letter

CHICAGO — The largest group of Burger King franchisees says executives at the fast-food chain put the company’s business in “deep trouble.”

That’s according to a letter obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press.

The letter was sent Nov. 11 to Burger King’s board of directors. In it, the National Franchise Association blasted management for its $1 double cheeseburger promotion.

They also criticized an earlier corporate decision to take back millions of rebate money distributed to franchise owners from soft drink companies.

Franchise owners operate 90 percent of the company’s 12,000 locations. The association is suing to block the cheeseburger deal, arguing that Burger King can’t set maximum menu prices.