Swipe Fee Settlement Deadline of May 28! – Regarding the proposed credit card swipe fee settlement, franchisees are reminded that they have until May 28, 2013 to advise the court whether they want to be included in the settlement. The proposed settlement offers monetary damages and limited modifications to Visa and MasterCard surcharging rules, but also mandates…
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A virtual cup of coffee with DDIFO Executive Director Ed Shanahan – May 18, 2013 Legislative Activity picking up all around the footprint! – As individual state legislatures dive into the meat of their new legislative sessions, there is much activity swirling around issues of concern to all franchise owners across the country. Leading that…
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Fair Franchising – Maine franchisees from a broad array of companies testified in support of the Small Business Investment Protection Act this week before the Labor, Commerce, Research & Economic Development Committee of the Maine Legislature. The bill is an outstanding fair franchising piece of legislation that enjoys much support in the Maine Franchisee community…
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Last year with much fanfare, the City of New York, through its Board of Health, called for a ban on the sale of sugary drinks over 16 ounces, in restaurants, concessions and other eating establishments. Such sale was not banned in supermarkets. Advocates, led by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, claimed that the ban was necessary to…
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Rising health care premiums. Minimum wage increases. Paid sick leave. Bans on large sugary drinks and Styrofoam containers. Running a business has plenty of challenges even before the government gets involved. And get involved they have: federal, state, and local governments are all looking for ways to squeeze more money out of businesses and individuals,…
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From minimum wage to paid sick leave to health care reform, issues debated in legislative arenas this year stand to have a greater impact on small business owners than ever before. More and more small business owners are recognizing the importance of communicating their concerns directly with elected officials—at all levels. Since 2009, franchise owners…
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When it was signed into law on March 23, 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly referred to as Obamacare, mandated that “restaurants and similar retail food establishments with 20 or more locations list calorie content information for standard menu items on restaurant menus and menu boards, including drive-through menu boards. Other nutrient information—total calories,…
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As various provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are implemented, franchise owners must stay vigilant learning about and preparing for compliance. One aspect of the ACA that will impact all franchisees is Section 4205, which will require chain restaurants with 20 or more locations to list calorie content information on menu boards, including drive-thru…
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DDIFO is your organization and the best line of defense against encroachment on your business. In my role as Executive Director, I have talked with a great many of you about what we do and do not provide. We’ve talked about how to improve the services and representation you get from your DDIFO membership. We…
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During my tenure as Executive Director of the DDIFO, I’ve enjoyed going around the footprint and having a cup of coffee with many DD franchisees. Time and logistics prevent me from meeting all of you, but technology makes it possible. Through regular communication with DDIFO members, current and future, I will continue having coffee with…
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