Burger King franchisees will get to hold onto their entire soda rebate funds for now, potentially crimping the burger chain’s plan to kick off 2010 with a beefier national ad presence. Franchisees in the coming weeks will receive the full rebate, earned from buying soda syrup, from Coca-Cola Co. (KO) and Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. ( DPS) as Burger King has deferred diverting up to 20% of those funds to its national advertising pool due to pending litigation, a Burger King spokeswoman said late Thursday. The February payment is one of two franchisees receive annually from the soda companies.
In an ongoing dispute that could affect how the nation’s hundreds of franchise organizations set prices, the burger chain is insisting that its two beef-patty sandwich be sold for no more than $1—in line with other items on its “Value Menu.” But the company’s franchisees claim that at that price, they lose money.
KFC National Council and Advertising Cooperative, Inc. (NCAC) filed a lawsuit last week against the world’s most popular fried chicken chain after KFC’s corporate office made a number of marketing blunders in promoting a new product, Kentucky Grilled Chicken, without authorization.
The Boston Globe Staff reports that Dunkin’ Donuts wants fitness buffs to know that it’s about way more than sinkers and pastry. At a time when many folks have vowed to lose weight and right-size their physiques, Dunkin’ says it has some new menu offerings that the New Year’s resolution crowd can take to heart.
If there was one issue that galvanized Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owners in 2009 it was compliance. According to estimates provided to the DDIFO over 675 stores were placed onto the Operations Compliance Team in 2009. Over the last 12 months, we have talked with dozens of franchise owners about their experience with the Compliance Team. Many described their participation as painful, frightening and abusive. DDIFO Members Only Content
Victoria Marie Sousa was only 12 years old when she died from complications from the H1N1 flu. A bright, athletic girl, her life was shaped by her love for family and her strong faith. Now, in her memory, her family has created the Victoria Foundation which follows the tenets of Sister Catherine McCauley, who founded the Sisters of Mercy in 1831. Louis Sousa, Victoria’s father, is partner in the Rhode Island law firm of Lisa & Sousa, LTD. The firm represents many Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owners and has been the general counsel for the DDIFO for over 20 years.
We are pleased to introduce to you the Third Issue of Independent Joe, the quarterly magazine by DD Independent Franchise Owners for Dunkin’ Donuts Franchise Owners. We are able to bring this to you via the web in a format that closely resembles the look and feel of a magazine.
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.
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
