"Work is a False Idol"

[Steely Glint]

Right, but they still take their share of the profits out of the franchise through rent and royalties. It's not like "here, take our branding and product and just do what you like". So they could take less out of their franchises profits who in turn could then take those savings and increase wages, but neither of those things will actually occur.

[Loki]

Right, but they still take their share of the profits out of the franchise through rent and royalties. It's not like "here, take our branding and product and just do what you like". So they could take less out of their franchises profits who in turn could then take those savings and increase wages, but neither of those things will actually occur.

I can't imagine that would be very popular with their shareholders.

[Being]

I can't imagine that would be very popular with their shareholders.

Nor good for your 401K.

[Steely Glint]

I can't imagine that would be very popular with their shareholders.

Indeed, and now where know where the problem lies

[Being]

Indeed, and now where know where the problem lies

Yes, shareholders are in fact consumers.

[Steely Glint]

Yes, shareholders are in fact consumers.

I mean, in the sense that (if they're individuals not investment firms or other orgs) they also go to the store and buy things, but they aren't actually purchasing the product the company makes and so they wouldn't be the ones negatively affected by price hikes.

[Being]

I mean, in the sense that (if they're individuals not investment firms or other orgs) they also go to the store and buy things, but they aren't actually purchasing the product the company makes and so they wouldn't be the ones negatively affected by price hikes.

Investment firms, pension funds, mutual funds and such purchase shares for shareholders. Doesn't matter if they are individuals buying shares or investment firms purchasing for a group of inactive participants. The inactive participants are just as much shareholders as individual buyers, they just don't necessarily know what they are invested in.

[Ominous Gamer]

Right, but they still take their share of the profits out of the franchise through rent and royalties. It's not like "here, take our branding and product and just do what you like". So they could take less out of their franchises profits who in turn could then take those savings and increase wages, but neither of those things will actually occur.

This is so popular with the insurance industry that so much of the "profits" are sent upstream for name licensing, branding, and advertising, that in the event of mass claims the "company" that licensed the name folds up and all the customers are left high and dry.