Centennials Table Topics

Table Topic questions are meant to stimulate family and classroom discussion. Use the questions below after reading,"To market, to market"

Franchise businesses were hot concepts and hot properties in the '60s. What are the advantages and disadvantages of running a franchise business and what are the advantages and disadvantages to the consumer? What are the most popular franchise businesses in our area today? Which originated in the '60s and still thrive in the '90s?
Independent Seattle businesses competed with franchises using a combination of quirky style and promotional chutzpa. Which of the local institutions featured on the Centennial Page have you patronized and why? Which have not survived into the '90s? Ivar Haglund's success was rooted in the Norwegian seagoing traditions of Seattle. If you were to begin a restaurant today, how would you go about creating and marketing a unique identity for it?
Some of Seattle's independent businesses were a bit outlandish in their approach. What's the most bizarre or original business in Seattle today? Think of individual neighborhoods and how a Fremont business might differ from a Ballard business. What is your favorite neighborhood business and why do you like to patronize it?
Some Seattle businesses have developed into successful national franchises of their own. Who are they and what makes them successful on a larger scale? What do they communicate about "Seattle" or the "Pacific Northwest" to the country as a whole?
Businesses, like anything else, can go in and out of fashion. A local retailer like Frederick & Nelson defined a certain era; today the casual, outdoor orientation of REI or Eddie Bauer appeals to the modern consumer. What are some of the things a savvy marketer might look at before deciding about a business investment?