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 […]
Failure to Pass Franchise Protections 20 Years Ago Cost Maine More Franchised Units
In 1994, Legislative document 1916, or as some people remember it — The Franchise Practices Act, was shot down by Governor John R. McKernan, Jr. even after it passed both the Maine House of Representatives and the Maine Senate. Leonard Kovit, owner of 5 Meineke’s in Maine and New Hampshire in 1994, remembers the bill […]
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 […]
Well Attended Maine Franchise Owners Business Day and Legislative Meet
On Wednesday, January 29th, over 40 franchise owners met at The Senator Inn in Augusta to share best practices, and learn about various resources for Maine franchise owners. Four impressive and informative speakers headlined the afternoon. Jim Coen, Executive Director of Maine Franchise Owners Association (MFOA) spoke about the importance of organizing franchise owners in […]
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 […]
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 […]