Don Sniegowski writes at BlueMauMau that Experts say that well organized franchisees can make profound changes in a franchisor’s behavior. Some have even been able to fire wayward CEOs, replace a franchisor’s board of directors, and spearhead a new strategy that lifts store profits and the brand.
Read More »Current franchise laws and regulations do not go far enough to protect the interests of franchisees against often times overreaching franchisors according to an article published in Franchise Law Journal, Volume 29, Number 3, Winter 2010, by Lagarias & Boulter.
Read More »Steve Silva and Derek Weilbaecher are founders of Yellow Mountain, LLC. They have been involved in the quick service restaurant business for over six years and together own and operate eight Zaxby’s restaurants, two in Douglas County, GA and six in Jefferson County, AL. James Laskaris, president of Ioan Donuts, LLC and Stephen Attard, director of operations of Ioan Donuts, LLC have been Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees since 2000 and currently have 16 open locations in Atlanta.
Read More »Mike Dempsey reports at Nation’s Restaurant News that nearly all public restaurant companies reported fourth-quarter same-store sales results this month, and winter storms and lingering economic pressures pushed most into negative territory. Some, mainly because of value messaging, moved in a positive direction.
Read More »The RI Lawyers Weekly Sidebar Blog has posted that the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld in part and overturned in part a decision of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a case stemming from a dispute between an oil company and eight gas station operators who claimed the oil company tried to drive them out of business.
Read More »As the year comes to a close and the New Year is almost upon us, it’s a good time to reflect on the challenges we face as small business owners. Legislatively, 2009 has been a difficult year for business owners. There is more to come, legislators in Washington DC are preparing to enact new laws that will have a dramatic impact on your bottom line. As the Legislative Affairs Coordinator for DDIFO, I can assure you that DDIFO is not sitting idly by as legislators continue to pry into your business. As a founding member of the Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA) we have been working together with other franchisee associations to make sure that all of our voices are heard on Capital Hill.
Read More »Over a year ago DDIFO commissioned the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) to review and grade the Dunkin Brands franchise agreement. The AAFD thru a group of executives, entrepreneurs and attorneys have worked for over 15 years to set standards for franchise agreements to make them more fair and equitable. The ultimate goal was to make franchising work better for everyone, believing that a spirit of communication and mediation led to better relations and business results. The AAFD set of standards are referred to as the “Fair Franchising Standards”, In the fall of 2008 DDIFO felt that the existing franchise agreement was causing excess friction and litigation between Dunkin Brands and the franchisees. DDIIFO felt this situation was caused in part by an inequitable franchise agreement, and that the litigation had not been good for the Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee community.
Read More »Paul Grimaldi writes in the Providence Journal that a federal judge declared a mistrial Friday in the case of a Vermont businessman suing the Dunkin’ Donuts coffee shop chain after jurors admitted discussing their views of the trial among themselves. “I think this jury is thoroughly infected,” said Senior U.S. District Judge Ronald R. Lagueux. “One juror clearly expressed an opinion about who should win the case.” Lagueux made his decision after lawyers for the businessman, Irwin Barkan, sought to have a mistrial declared after just the first day of a hearing on his lawsuit. The judge said he would reschedule the trial sometime in January.
Read More »Alan J. Liddle reports at Nation’s Restaurant News that a judge has granted preliminary approval for the settlement of four class-action lawsuits filed by Quiznos Sub franchisees against their franchisor that could significantly alter the relationship of the feuding parties and cost the franchisor up to $100 million. The proposed settlement could impact more than 6,900 individuals now associated with the Denver-based Quiznos system “and several thousand who have closed their franchises,” attorneys for franchisees indicated in court documents.
Read More »Elaine Walker reports in the Miami Herald that Burger King’s franchisees say they no longer “trust” or “have confidence” in current management, so they’re going directly to the company’s board of directors with their complaints. That was the message in a letter sent by the National Franchisee Association last week to Burger King’s board of directors. The board needs to take action to repair the relationship with franchisees, which has disintegrated to a level unheard of even for Burger King, the letter said. “Your management team has pushed the franchise community to the brink,” said the letter signed by 27 franchises, including the NFA board and the heads of 21 regional franchisee associations. “We are taking this extraordinary and historic action to communicate our concerns directly to the board.”
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