Dunkin’ franchise owners were standout performers in the challenging times that followed the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic last spring. While the rest of the restaurant industry has struggled to stay above water, Dunkin’ and other quick-service restaurants have done a remarkable job adapting to difficult circumstances, quickly shifting their focus to app-based delivery and…
Most would agree that a salad and coffee doesn’t evoke the same feeling as a donut and coffee. But, prepackaged salads have made their way into six Dunkin’ shops—three in Chicago and three in Clark, New Jersey, about 25 miles west of New York City. The Chicago-based company, Farmer’s Fridge, is supplying Dunkin’ the salads…
Black, with cream. Or without cream. With sugar, without sugar. “I drink my coffee any way. I drink the mistakes,” laughs Sonny Ho. There are some who say a person’s coffee order reveals a lot about their personality. In the case of Philadelphia franchisee Sonny Ho, it couldn’t be more accurate. Ho built his career…
Staying out west for the moment, on January 25, the Seattle City Council voted – unanimously – to pass an ordinance mandating that certain grocery store employees receive hazard pay during the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Seattle minimum wage is currently $16.69 per hour and the hazard pay mandate will add $4 for each…
Over the past few weeks, we have been glad to be able to advise you of some additional state-sponsored COVID relief and business assistance programs. This week, we’re happy to report on a couple of more that are in the works. First in Harrisburg last week, the Pennsylvania Senate passed a $912 million COVID relief…
As the effort to more than double the federal minimum wage across the country gathers steam with a democratic trifecta at the federal level – albeit a slim one, tone-deaf state politicians continue to pile on small business woes. A couple of examples, as referenced above while the Pennsylvania legislature is putting over $900 million…
The Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board has voted to approve a Final Permanent Standard (Final Standard) related to COVID-19. It is anticipated that Governor Northam will soon approve the Final Standard, which sets forth health and safety requirements related to COVID-19 for all Virginia employers and is expected become effective on January 27, 2021.…
Although they may not be offering immunity, a number of other states are offering additional business assistance programs and loosening their purse strings with more funds for business relief. In that vein, New Jersey governor Phil Murphy signed legislation last week that provides up to $14 billion in corporate tax relief to businesses in the…
Apparently incapable of recognizing the unprecedented difficulties that fast food franchisees are facing throughout the course of the coronavirus pandemic, New York City seems intent on adding misery to misery. Just before the Christmas holiday, the New York City Council passed a pair of bills targeting franchised fast food chains. The first – and perhaps…
Effective early this week, the state of Virginia imposed still even more stringent face-covering requirements on all businesses across the state. The new mandate, which went into effect on December 14, requires all individuals age five or older to wear face masks at all times in settings shared by others – indoors or outdoors –…
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