Fast-food workers in about 100 cities will strike on Thursday, leaving franchisees caught between a rock and a hard place. Protesters are calling for $15 an hour — a huge increase from the current federal minimum wage of $7.25, or a full-time salary of about $15,000 a year. The upcoming strikes follow the protests that […]
GAO Report of SBA Franchise Lending Reveals Program Failures
GOA Report Findings: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report identifying that loans to certain franchise companies failed at a higher rate. From 2003 to 2012, the SBA guaranteed loans for more than $10.6 billion to franchise businesses and was forced to make payments on about 28 percent of those loans. Analysis of guaranteed […]
Maine Franchise Owners Association Joins the Coalition of Franchisee Associations
Washington, D.C. (Dec 3, 2013) — The Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA) extends a warm welcome to its newest member, the Maine Franchise Owners Association. With the latest addition, the CFA now represents 19 associations, whose members include 34,000 franchisees who own more than 80,000 businesses and employ more than 1.4 million individuals. “We are […]
Maine’s Small Business Administration Wants To Help You
The Small Business Administration (SBA) believes “giving small employers a voice early in the process is key to reducing the negative impact of regulations on small businesses, increasing the level of regulatory compliance, and passing on cost savings to state economies. Regional Advocates help identify regulatory concerns of small business by monitoring the impact of […]
The Need for Voiding Out State Venue Clauses for Franchise Owners
Peter Lagarias posted at BlueMauMau a very compelling argument as why it’s important to pass legislation in each state to void litigation forum/venue clauses and allow litigation or dispute resolution in occur in the State the franchise owner has his/her business. Here are is an excerpt: Most franchise agreements provide for venue of franchise lawsuits […]
Maine Franchise Owners Association Holds Open House in Portland
On Wednesday, November 6th, 2013 at the offices of the Maine Franchise Owners Association (MFOA), various franchise owners, vendors, and government officials attended the MFOA open house in Portland. MFOA is an independent organization of franchise owners in Maine that is committed to helping franchise owners grow, expand, and create more jobs for the citizens […]
Blue Ribbon Commission Investigates Unemployment Claims in Maine
Commission findings are due to be published on December 2nd, 2013 Gov. Paul LePage announced on April 17 that he was forming the blue ribbon commission, a special commission to investigate the state’s entire unemployment compensation system. According to a news release from Gov. LePage’s office, the Blue Ribbon Commission includes representatives of both employers […]
Dunkin’ Donuts Franchise Owner Opens New Shop in Farmingdale, Maine
Normand and Joline Boulay, the owners of Farmindale’s newest business, Dunkin Donuts, welcomed friends and neighbors to celebrate with them and win some fabulous prizes. The Farmingdale Dunkin Donuts is the fourth one for the Boulays — two others located in Lewiston and one in Gardiner. Normand and Joline Boulay, expressed their excitement and satisfaction […]
Franchisors and Franchisees Face Off in Pennsylvania on the Franchise Protection Bill
Don Sniegowski of Blue MauMau writes that an investment protection act for franchise owners, House Bill 1620, is being proposed in Pennsylvania. Franchisee associations are asking for support from Pennsylvania’s franchise owners. The act aims to establish remedies and penalties for franchise owners experiencing abusive franchising practices. The bill would create a fiduciary responsibility of a franchisor […]
Maine Businesses to Pay Less Next Year in Unemployment Taxes
Bangor Dailey News reports that a falling unemployment rate means Maine businesses will save $30 million in unemployment taxes next year, according to a Thursday morning announcement from the Maine Department of Labor. Next year, Maine employers will see an annual decrease of between $19.20 and $169.20 in unemployment taxes paid per employee, with the […]