Bruce Kennedy, Benzinga Staff Writer reports that the recent Chapter 11 filings of two national restaurant chains, Sbarro and Quiznos, are drawing new focus on the opportunities and challenges faced by franchises. U.S. Census Bureau data from 2007 showed franchise businesses employed over 58 million U.S. residents, while bringing in revenues, sales, shipments or receipts of over $7.6 billion. And […]
7-ELEVEN Franchise Lawsuit Alleges Stalking and Harrassment of 7-11 Franchisee
(UnhappyFranchisee.Com) by Sean Kelly A successful, multi-unit franchise owner who was the 2008 Franchisee of the Year is suing 7-Eleven, Inc. for stalking, harrassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and for running him down outside a CVS Pharmacy. [It’s the 2nd lawsuit of the day filed against 7-Eleven. Also see 7-ELEVEN Patel Franchise Lawsuit Alleges 7-11 “Storm Trooper” […]
Multiple labor lawsuits hit McDonald’s Franchisees in Three States
Mitchell Hartman of Marketplace Economy writes that McDonald’s faces lawsuits in three states this week from workers who allege the fast-food giant violated labor laws by failing to pay overtime, making them work off the clock, failing to give them breaks, and making them pay for uniforms or uniform cleaning. The suits, seeking class-action status, […]
Quiznos Goes Bankrupt My Three Observations and One Possible Salvation
Quiznos filed for bankruptcy late last week. Interesting enough the Quiznos franchise chains troubles at a time when similar sandwich franchises like Subway and others seem to be thriving. Serious flaws and seemingly fraudulent practices in the Quiznos’ business model led to the company’s demise. Here are my basic three observations for the chains seemingly […]
Maine ‘crowd investing’ bill becomes law
The measure is designed to help Maine start-ups raise funds from small investors. J. Craig Anderson at the Portland Press Herald reports that a measure allowing Maine businesses to raise up to $1 million through “crowd investing” became law Monday. The bill, L.D. 1512, “An Act To Increase Funding for Start-ups,” was approved overwhelmingly in […]
Support Maine franchise owners with these four basic protections
Ed Wolak, Chairman of the Maine Franchise Owners Association contributed the following letter to Bangor Daily News and it ran in the paper and online today March 11, 2014. By Ed Wolak, Special to the BDN Posted March 10, 2014, at 11:47 a.m. Last modified March 10, 2014, at 12:07 p.m. BDN The Maine Small Business Investment Protection […]
Big Whopper Economics
Want fast-food workers to get a raise? Let local restaurant owners form a union to fight their corporate masters. By Josh Freedman – Washington Monthly In August, Larry and Kathryn Baerns and their son, Christopher, filed court papers charging that the two new Steak ’n Shake restaurants they had just opened in the Denver area […]
Maine Small Business Investment Protection Act (LD1458) Fact Sheet
The Maine Small Business Investment Protection Act (LD1458) has Reported to the Maine House of Representatives. Below is a graphic that depicts the benefits of LD1458 and it’s goal to protect the equity of Mainers that invest in a franchise. Maine franchise owners need these basic protections so they can build, harvest and perpetuate the […]
Franchised Units Increase in Iowa 300% More than Adjacent States
The graphic below compares the growth of franchised Units in Iowa from 2004- 2007 to adjacent states and the nation. In 1994 Iowa passed a Franchise Practices act, the reaction from the IFA and Franchisors was to boycott Iowa, in an effort to show other states what could happen if you pass a Franchise Practice […]
Letter from Maine Franchise Owners Chairman Ed Wolak
February 21, 2014 Dear Maine Franchise Owners, I am writing to you as the Chairman of the Maine Franchise Owners Association “MFOA”. We represent Maine franchised small businesses. Most are owned and operated by Maine families. MFOA supports the Minority Report, Senator Patrick’s amendment to LD 1458 to strengthen franchising, not harm or limit it. […]