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 – across all brands! That said, as one would expect, the IFA is strenuously opposing the bill contending that it will basically end life as we know it! More info on the hearing can be found here.
With Friends Like These! – Speaking of opposition to the Fair Franchising legislation pending in Maine, one of the very vocal voices in opposition to the bill was William Buckley, President of Coffee News – yes, that same coffee news that many of you distribute in your shops! In fact, you can click here on the IFA Blog and see his opposition letter in full! As that old saying goes: “With friends like these, who needs enemies?”
Nigel assumes Chairmanship! – Dunkin’ Brands in a news release from early this morning announced it has tapped CEO Nigel Travis to take on the additional role of chairman. Nigel assumes the role on May 15 when John Luther retires. More of the story and other Board changes can be seen here.
Bloomberg Squared? – It’s not targeting all sugary drinks of a certain size – yet, but the government’s “thirst” to dictate what we can or cannot consume as a free people goes unabated. The City of San Francisco has filed a lawsuit against Monster Beverage Corp. alleging the energy drink maker markets its caffeinated drink to children too young to drink it.
More trouble from the West Coast – The California Assembly is considering an egregious piece of legislation that will dramatically increase health care costs on businesses in the Golden State. AB 880 goes well beyond ObamaCare requirements if passed. It is scheduled for an Appropriations Committee hearing next week and has already passed another committee. In essence, it would impose an extraordinarily large health care penalty on employers with 500 or more employees including part-time workers! The penalty would equal the health insurance premium for the employee and employer rather than the $2000 penalty that ObamaCare dictates. If you know any California franchisees, please let them know about this bill and ask them to act now and contact their California legislators!
NLRB Union Posting Rule Struck – In an important decision for small businesses around the country, on May 7, 2013, the Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has struck down a ruling by the National Labor Relations Board that would have required that businesses post notices regarding union membership. The court decided in National Association of Manufacturers et al v. National Labor Relations Board that all three of the means for enforcing the Board’s posting requirement were invalid and thereby struck down the NLRB ruling.
Use of New I-9 Forms mandatory – Just a reminder that the effective date for the mandatory use of the new I-9 forms was this past Wednesday, May 8, 2013. The form and information pertaining to it can be found at the ICE website here.
Speaking of Government Mandates . . . – Also on May 8, the Department of Labor released a temporary guidance that employers subject to FLSA must provide notice of the exchanges to their employees. It mandates that the notice must be given to “each employee, regardless of plan enrollment status (if applicable) or of part-time or full-time status.” Originally scheduled to take effect March 1, the requirement was postponed end of January and now it will be effective October 1, 2013. DOL guidance is available, as is template for those offering coverage and template for those not offering coverage.
Mid-West District Members Meeting – Next Wednesday, May 15, DDIFO will sponsor its Mid-West District Members Meeting at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois. The full day will begin with the quarterly meeting of the DDIFO Board of Directors at 9 AM, followed by the Members meeting beginning at 2 PM and concluding at 7PM. This meeting is open to all DD franchisees, whether current members of DDIFO or not, so why not register here and come check us out? Agenda is packed with information on Dunkin’s financial condition as well as ObamaCare requirements.
DDIFO Hall of Fame – It’s not too early to begin thinking about those individuals in the DD franchisee community who have earned special recognition because of their many years of building Dunkin’ Donuts into the iconic brand it is today! DDIFO will soon announce its Hall of Fame committee members for 2013 and if you would like to join the committee to help recognize those on whose shoulders we stand, contact me at ed@ddifo.org
Speaking of recognition – check out these pieces on DD franchisees and DDIFO leaders Rob Branca and Adam Goldman.
And please feel free to contact us at ed@ddifo.org with any news items, comments or suggestions you may have for us to incorporate in next week’s edition of Small Reguar – No Sugar!
