Jon Chesto writes in the Patriot Ledger that Stop & Shop and its Giant Food affiliate are shutting down nearly half of their in-store Starbucks kiosks. “It was a business decision we arrived at with Starbucks,” said Faith Weiner, a spokeswoman for Quincy-based Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. “We did a business review together, and we decided these kiosks were not performing at levels that were acceptable and would allow them to continue to operate.”
The franchise sector usually fattens during recessions; real estate is cheaper, there’s a spike in laid-off workers from corporate America and franchises are usually considered less risky than starting an independent business. But because of the credit crunch, many in the industry are expecting this recession to be different.
The Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA) which DDIFO is a member of has also been active. A number of high priority CFA issues been reintroduced in the 111th US Congress including the Employee Free Choice Act (“Card Check”), the Arbitration Fairness Act and the Credit Card Fair Fee Act.
Jim O’Sullivan/State House News Service writes at Wicked Local Arlington that, after employers called an earlier round of regulations aimed at preventing identity theft too harsh, the Patrick administration on Monday released a rewritten set of data protection rules that earned markedly better reviews from business groups.
DDIFO is please to present Guest Commentary from time time from valued contributors. The following is an article written and submitted by Robert Zarco and Robert Salkowski attorneys at law, from Zarco Law, Bank of America Tower at International Place, 100 S.E. 2nd Street, Suite 2700, Miami, FL 33131, Telephone:(305) 374-5418.
The U.S. Congress and Obama administration have made passing comprehensive healthcare reform their top priority. All versions of the bill that have been presented by the Senate and House to this point would require employers to pay for healthcare in some form or fashion. One Senate version has employers paying at least 60% of premiums or a $750 fine per year PER EMPLOYEE. A House version requires a minimum contribution of 72.5% or a fine of 8% of average wages!
After a year of voluntarily leading the DDIFO’s government relations initiative, Robert Branca’s role has been formalized. In June, DDIFO President Jim Coen officially named Branca – a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owner and operator in four states – as DDIFO Legislative Affairs Coordinator. It remains an unpaid position.
Corbin Williston reports at Blue MauMau that a federal judge has ruled that franchisees may explore Dunkin’s ulterior motive in terminating their franchise agreements. For the past decade, Dunkin’ has faced allegations of spying, intrusions into franchisee’s love lives, and assorted bare-knuckles tactics in terminating franchisees. One of the most famous franchise journalists was threatened with a lawsuit if she wrote about the tactics.
Plastic foam disposable coffee cups dispensed by fast-food chains such as Dunkin’ Donuts and other coffee shops would be banned in Boston under a measure being introduced today before the Boston City Council.
Kent Hoover writes in the Phoenix Business Journal that lending standards will remain tight until the second half of 2010, according to senior loan officers at large banks.
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