Entering the summer, there was so much hope life would return to some semblance of normal after more than a year of emergency COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions. Vaccination programs were fully under way. Government officials were lifting pandemic business restrictions. One could finally meet up with old friends without masks. But that was then and…
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In 2009, when Joe Biden came to the White House as President Barack Obama’s vice president, the business community responded with a flurry of lobbying activity—seeking to affect legislation on such issues as healthcare reform, financial regulatory reform, cap-and-trade legislation and the 2009 stimulus bill. According to research by the Center for Responsive Politics, more…
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Facing a continued staffing crisis and growing labor costs, many businesses are looking beyond the next hire. Consider the barista who never calls in sick or the coffee-making bots that brew up to 300 portions per shift, work 24/7 and never take breaks, except for refilling or cleaning. In many ways, the crippling U.S. labor…
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Many long-time Dunkin’ franchisees still point to the introduction of the bagel as the rocket fuel that ignited this brand. Others may say it was the relentless commitment to marketing and advertising. For Dunkin’s new owner, Inspire Brands, the next great thing may be created soon at the company’s new Inspire Innovation Center in Atlanta.…
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You don’t have to talk to Kevin Maybury for too long before realizing that when the New York native sets a goal, he’s all in. For proof, take a look at his LinkedIn profile. Among the several titles he has listed is “former Ironman athlete.” For many, the Ironman is considered the ultimate race, one…
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At the end of July 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) implemented a final rule to rescind the “Joint Employer Status under the Fair Labor Standards Act,” also known as the Joint Employer Rule, which first published in January 2020 under the Trump administration. This action should come as no surprise if you are…
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Facing a continued staffing crisis and growing labor costs, many businesses are looking beyond the next hire. Consider the barista who never calls in sick or the coffee-making bots that brew up to 300 portions per shift, work 24/7 and never take breaks, except for refilling or cleaning. In many ways, the crippling U.S. labor…
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April 22, 2021 marked day four of Dealmakers Week, presented by Franchise Times. It was also the day the magazine announced its 2020 Deal of the Year. Not surprisingly, the award went to Inspire Brands for its $11.3 billion purchase of Dunkin’ Brands. On hand to receive the award was David Pipes, Inspire Brands chief…
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Summer 2021 is being billed as a return to “normal,” as vaccinations against COVID-19 continue and businesses resume regular operations. But, behind some of the rosy projections for the resumption of life as we knew it, there are some hard realities facing business owners in every sector, particularly quick-service restaurants. In this edition of “What’s…
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April 22, 2021 marked day four of Dealmakers Week, presented by Franchise Times. It was also the day the magazine announced its 2020 Deal of the Year. Not surprisingly, the award went to Inspire Brands for its $11.3 billion purchase of Dunkin’ Brands. On hand to receive the award was David Pipes, Inspire Brands chief…
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