This is something that I have gotten very used to and it's a bit of a habit. While studying for my fashion merchandising degree we were assigned to do comparative analyses of various retail companies and clothing brands. This is where I was introduced to the “Investor Relations” tab, Investopedia, and the like.
It has always helped me develop a better view of the places that I worked with and understand why operations/workplace culture may be favorable or less favorable.
For example, Hilton Worldwide, like the other major hotel conglomerates, collects hefty management and franchising fees from properties that carry one of Hilton's brand names but isn't owned by Hilton Worldwide. Basically, if you want to run a “Hilton” hotel, it's gonna cost you. This is the same for franchised McDonald's or Sonic establishments. Formally the individual investors who hold these businesses obviously have significantly less capital and experience in the industry than the larger company that holds rights to the brand.
Now, why would a housekeeper earning $11/hour need to know all of this?
Well, this is partially what sustained me in such a low-paying, toxic environment. Despite not having family to rely on and being single, I just knew what the game was all about. I was working for people who only knew so much of how the business works, even if they hold a lot of properties. They are in it for the investment opportunity primarily, not the art of running a hotel and truly serving people. That would be the vibe you get when working for an “owned” or “managed” property being run by Hilton Worldwide. The standards would be higher but so will the resources…and pay. Obviously the calibre of the hotel brand is a factor as the Company would mostly be interested in having the mid-priced to affordable hotels franchised instead of the luxury hotels which demand higher operation costs anyways that retail investors wouldn't be equipped to support…usually.
All in all, this is why I'm proud of my degree in fashion merchandising even though I'm not currently working in fashion. Because it is a business degree, which most people aren't aware of, I was able to understand how to compare companies from a financial standpoint and apply that to the anticipated experience on the job. (Feeling myself here a bit…sorry)
This is mostly likely also why Elle Woods got into Harvard Law after studying fashion merchandising (aside from being a fictional character). It's about a lot more than polka dots and handbags.