The issue started when Matt Mullenweg, CEO of Automattic (which oversees WordPress), accused WP Engine of benefitting from WordPress.org's open-source platform without contributing sufficiently in return. He went so far as to call WP Engine a "cancer" on the ecosystem, which triggered a legal standoff between the two companies. WordPress then blocked WP Engine from accessing critical services, including automated updates for themes and plugins
What This Means for Your Franchise Brand
- Automated Updates at Risk Many franchise brands rely on WP Engine for its promise of managed services—this includes automated plugin and theme updates across multiple sites. With WordPress blocking WP Engine’s access to key resources, your franchise’s websites could be at risk of falling behind on updates, leading to security vulnerabilities and performance issues. Imagine managing 50 franchisee sites and manually updating each one! This scenario could become a reality if the dispute continues.
- Potential Service Interruptions WP Engine’s ability to serve its customers may be compromised if this conflict escalates. Service interruptions could affect everything from site uptime to plugin compatibility. For franchises with high traffic and ecommerce components, this could severely disrupt customer experiences, leading to lost sales and damaged reputations.
- Increased Maintenance Burden One of the key benefits of WP Engine has been its hands-off approach for franchise owners—giving you the flexibility to focus on your brand, not the tech. If WordPress and WP Engine can’t resolve their differences, franchisees may need to shift more attention to website maintenance, including backups, security patches, and updates, which can become a costly distraction from core business activities.
- Brand Stability and Trust Your franchise brand’s digital presence relies on consistency and reliability across locations. This uncertainty between two major players could undermine the trust that franchisees place in their digital infrastructure. If customers experience slow load times, security breaches, or outdated content, it reflects poorly on your franchise as a whole
If your brand’s websites are hosted by WP Engine, there are a few steps you can take to minimize risk during this uncertain period: Back Up Everything: Ensure you have regular backups of all your franchise websites, especially as the dispute could lead to unforeseen service outages. Monitor the Situation: Stay informed about updates from both WordPress and WP Engine. This will help you anticipate any changes and act quickly if you need to switch hosting providers or manually manage updates. Consider Alternative Hosting: If the conflict escalates, you may need to explore alternative hosting options that integrate smoothly with WordPress, such as DevHub. Communicate with Franchisees: Keep your franchisees in the loop about potential website disruptions and what steps they need to take to ensure their websites continue running smoothly. This could include offering them guidance on manual updates or even transitioning to a new hosting provider if necessary.