Bill wrote:The change in names on Western Ave. demonstrates that a business like that, which has been operating at the same location for years, can overcome the disassociation with a franchisor and continue to do well. Most people probably don't associate Fluky's with franchise - probably thinking they're all under common ownership - but some other businesses do fail when they drop a popular name.

The mother of the owner of the Western Ave. location is a neighbor of mine and I was with her at a condo association meeting Tuesday night and took advantage of the occasion to ask how the name transition has gone. She seemed a bit perturbed at the question and replied, "What did you expect, my son runs a very good business." She said there's been no negatives thus far, no do I expect there to be.

I stick to the traditionally-served dogs and eschew things like Habanero Dogs, duck dogs, whatever. They might be popular with some, I understand - but I think the "branching out" to those types of products are what a franchisor might not permit (unless it's a "roll out" from the home office), and going it alone gives the unit owner the opportunity to try things previously off-limits.

But it cuts both ways.

First, it is my understanding that the restaurant on Western in question had a license to use the Flukey's name, it was NOT a franchise of Flukey's, there's a difference.

But anyways, if the overall corporate brand takes a hit or gets associated with something negative, say a crappy hot dog/dispute with a major hot dog maker, then the licensee/franchisor may not want to be associated with the parent.

Remember, at one time, Flukey's was considered the top dawg (hahaha). 1983's Hot Dog Chicago ranked them #1. It was the name nearly synonomous with Chicago style hot dogs. And it has roots on Maxwell Street, the GVS (great vest side) and Rogers Park. It was a good name to use. Then, Flukey's became associated with that weird version of a hot dog, and people's opinion of the name Flukey changed.

Or put it this way. I do not think habenero dogs have much to do with this story.

Thanks for the correction on the relationship/status between Fluky's and the Estes'.

Looks like a new dog & burger spot will be opening in the former Flukey's Michigan Ave. location very soon, based on the activity today.