Franchising Air Museums / Groups

[Warbird Kid]

I was curious about this seemingly overlooked niche in the already small world of air museums. Maybe some of you guys have better intel.

The idea of franchising a museum or group in multiple locations. Of course only one success story comes to my mind, the Commemorative Air Force. The idea ( to me ) is simple. A group will have a greater longevity and cultural impact with numerous locations, big and small across a large geographic area. It certainly seems the CAF pioneered this idea, but as far as I can see, it appears there we're two other groups that tried to pull this off as well:

1. Yesterdays Air Force (Tallichet)
2. Yankee Air Force (YAM)

Were these two groups trying to lay down roots in multiple locations like the CAF did? And if so, why weren't they successful? We're there other factors maybe that came into play?

I think it would have been a real hoot had the Yankee Air Museum (then Force) picked up more momentum and became the "Northern" opponent of the long standing CAF. Maybe they would have gathered a fleet close to the size of the CAF's too. Maybe even have an annual "Civil War" airshow where both groups would come together for some good natured aerial engagements.

Now that would have been cool.

[tom d. friedman]

franchising a museum is is a wonderful idea, but highly impractical. who has the money & the time to devote to franchise standards. as a merchant I have carried the top merchandise lines in the u.s., bottom line the franchisee calls the shots, if you don't measure up to franchise standards you get it yanked from under you. you need committed investors who are going to follow the guidelines. bottom line, to many chefs ruin the soup, 1 lost franchise.