The International Franchise Association (IFA), which has gone through some staff changes since former President and CEO Robert Cresanti announced his departure last year, recently announced that it had appointed Michael Layman as the new senior vice president for government affairs. New President and CEO Matt Haller, who formerly held the position until he was…
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…
It was announced yesterday in Washington DC that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has made a number of significant changes to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. The loan cap, which previously was set at $500,000, has been increased to $2 million and actually went in effect Wednesday evening although it wasn’t announced until…
McDonalds corporate sure knows how to “rob Peter to pay Paul”, as the old saying goes. The company hosted a webcast earlier this month to advise its franchisees (Peter) that a long-time company subsidy used to keep the price of a Happy Meal down would end on New Year’s Day 2021. Further, the company is…
This week, DDIFO joined the International Franchise Association (IFA), the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and the Supercuts Franchisee Association in filing a federal lawsuit challenging California Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) law. Filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of California, the lawsuit contends that AB 5 is preempted by the…
The 2020 Presidential campaign comes down to a precious few days now as the polls – early voting, mail-in and in-person – all will close on Tuesday. If you haven’t yet done so, please be sure to get out and vote on November 3. An integral part of exercising that critical civic responsibility is understanding…
Join the Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA) and the International Franchise Association (IFA) at 11:45 a.m. ET this morning for a webinar providing a more detailed look at the Paid Leave requirements of the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act, signed into law by the President last week along with some of the provisions pending in…
As the Alabama legislative session expires this week, so too do any chances of passing SB 129, the Protect Alabama Small Businesses Act. Despite outstanding efforts by the Alabama Franchisee Association to get the bill to the brink of going to the Governor’s desk, last minute scare tactics and misinformation from the IFA and its…
It is apparently the deadline that never is, but the January 14 deadline for new public comments on the joint employer rule was extended again last Friday by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Under the terms of this latest extension, new public comments must be received by January 28, 2019 and responses to new…
The annual Multi-Unit Franchising Conference draws many Dunkin’ franchisees to Las Vegas each year for its education and networking opportunities. Whereas Dunkin’ franchisee Rob Branca is an active member of the MUFC – having served as the event chair a few years ago – we can offer members a deep discount on registration for the…
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