Franchisees are generally familiar with the use of trusts in their estate planning process. Some of the benefits generally sought by use of trusts include the efficient passage of assets upon death, potential tax savings, avoidance of a lengthy and sometimes costly probate proceedings, privacy, and the maintenance and control of the grantor of decision…
With the New Year just around the corner, many begin to think about what resolutions they should make. Last year, I resolved to get my arms around maintenance of our network’s equipment. In my first year as a franchisee, I had my service tech’s phone number on speed-dial. In fact, he probably took his family…
Nobody ever thought it would happen. After all, hurricanes aren’t supposed to hit Queens, New York. But in October, 2012, Hurricane Sandy had a mind of its own. This Category 3 Superstorm became one of the most deadly and destructive hurricanes of the Atlantic season and the second costliest hurricane in United States history, to…
In 1989, there were 1500 Dunkin’ Donuts shops in the U.S., Mister Donut was still an independent company and a “black knight” was lurking at the company’s Randolph, Massachusetts headquarters. Fighting to maintain control from a hostile takeover bid, Dunkin’ Donuts founder Bill Rosenberg steered the sale to the English conglomerate Allied-Lyons, which later became…
Inventory, staffing, making donuts and beyond are all part of your daily routine and work as a franchise owner, so keeping up with laws and regulations that might affect your Dunkin’ Donuts shops can be mind-boggling and time consuming. Don’t fret. DDIFO works hard to stay on top of matters like minimum wage increases and…
It went viral in short order and was captured by all the major news organizations around the world. The smartphone self-portrait, or “selfie” as it’s being called, that President Barack Obama took with Denmark’s Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt and Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron at the South African memorial service for anti-apartheid leader and former…
When franchisee David McNulty opened the newly redesigned Dunkin’ Donuts on busy North Roosevelt Boulevard in Key West, Fla., he wondered how customers would respond to the brand’s updated look and layout. The former KFC location had been completely gutted and replaced with Dunkin’ Donuts’ sophisticated and mellow “Fresh Brew” makeover. Instead of a grab-and-go…
The Small Business Investment Protection Act, pending in the Maine Legislature since early in 2013, is back on the schedule for another important hearing before the Labor, Commerce, Research & Economic Development Committee on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at the State Capital in Augusta. The bill, filed by Rep. Erin Herbig (D-Belfast), is identified as…
Speaking of the CFA, we received a notice from them this week advising that the $5.7 Billion settlement between VISA and MasterCard and a number of merchant and trade organizations has been finalized by the US District Court. The settlement stems from a 2005 class action lawsuit against the credit card giants on behalf of…
Small Regular - No Sugar Newsletter is weekly email with news and updates - it is like a virtual cup of coffee with DDIFO Executive Director Ed Shanahan