Unhappyfranchisee.com has been covering the aggressive tactics of 7-11 Corporation in seizing the assets of its franchisees. The story of the Patels from Riverside, California who lost their store after 19 years of operation, stands out, mostly because of the reaction from the Riverside Community in protesting 7-11 seizure of the Patels 7-11 franchise. SIGN […]
Franchisee Protections Exist Across the Maine Border in Canada
Five provinces in Canada have passed franchise disclosure and fair franchise relationship laws: Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island. British Columbia is also considering franchise disclosure and franchise relationship legislation. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires the use of a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) in all 50 states […]
Bill Zolper b.good Franchise Owner in Portland, Maine
Kate Taylor of Entrepreneur.com interviewed Bill Zolper about opening a b.good burger franchise in Portland, Maine. Bill had stopped into burger chain b.good in Boston to grab a quick lunch, he didn’t know how much a bite to eat would change his life. Drawn in by the food and the concept of locally-sourced ingredients, Zolper […]
Maine Small Business Investment Protection Act Moves on to the House!
LD 1458 was reported out of committee by five Democrats. The Maine Franchise Owners Association is pleased that The Maine Small Business Protection Act (LD 1458) will move on to the house. The final vote of the Labor, Commerce and Economic Development Committee was as follows: Voting for Ought to Pass for Senator Patrick’s Amended […]
Maine Restaurant Association & Maine Association of Realtors Oppose Fair Franchising in Maine
The Maine Restaurant Association has vehemently come out against the Maine Small Business Investment Protection Act (LD 1458), the Maine Association of Realtors is also opposing the bill. Both the Maine Restaurant Association and the Maine Association of Realtors have taken the same position as the International Franchise Association (IFA), McDonalds, and Marriott Hotels against […]
FBR Survey 26% of Franchisees in Maine Do Not Trust their Franchisor
The Franchise Business Review published a report n the State of Franchising in Maine. Here are the findings: 26% Don’t trust their Franchisors 23% Believe That the Franchisor Does not operate with a high degree ofhonesty and integrity. 22% would not recommend their franchise to someone else. 22% Do not respect their franchisor. 18% Feel […]
Maine Bill Aims to Protect Franchise Owners
By J. Craig Anderson, Portland Press Herald, Staff Writer L.D. 1458 seeks to offer added protections to franchisees of many companies. Franchise owners in Maine are supporting a bill going before a legislative committee Tuesday in Augusta that they say would prevent companies from terminating agreements with their franchise owners without warning, among other provisions. […]
Calling All Maine Franchisees & Franchise Owners
Once Again Calling All Maine Franchisees & Franchise Owners All Brands, All Industries are Invited! The Labor Commerce and Economic Development (LCRED) has delayed once again, this time to this Thursday, January 30, 2014. We are very, very, close to getting a Positive Report and moving on to the House and Senate. Show the legislators […]
A Bug’s Life – ”Then they ALL might stand up to us”
At last week’s work session for the Labor Commerce and Economic Development Committee, I was asked by a franchisee why were there so many people attending the work session from the side of the Franchisors? They had counted over 20 lobbyist, attorneys, representatives from the International Franchise Association, Maine Restaurant Association, Maine Innkeepers Association, McDonalds, […]
Jim Coen Launches Maine Franchise Owners Lobbying Effort
By Carol Coultas, MaineBiz, Published 1-27-2014 Jim Coen has spent decades in the franchise industry. It’s a familiarity he’s hoping to parlay into legislative action that improves franchise owners’ chances of controlling their own business destinies. Coen, a former executive director of the New England Franchise Association and for five years the president of the […]