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. […]
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 […]
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, […]
The IFA is Not Pulling Punches
Yesterday the IFA sent a letter to its members alerting them to the pending doom, and that the sky will fall in Maine if the Labor Commerce and Economic Development Committee votes “ought to pass” on the “5 Principles” of the Maine Small Business Investment Act. They have organized a Town Hall Telephone Call for […]
McDonalds Franchisees Express Discontent in Annual Survey
Fron QSR Magazine Last year, investment management and capital markets firm Janney Montgomery Scott downgraded stock in McDonald’s from a buy to a neutral rating. This type of move is a daily occurrence on Wall Street, but for the fast-food giant, it was another matter. McDonald’s first-quarter results had shown a 1.2 percent decrease in […]
A Dunkin’ Donuts Franchise Owner, had his Business Taken Away from him in 2009
Stan Furash was operating two Dunkin’ Donuts franchises in Bradenton, Florida when, in 2009, Dunkin’ terminated his franchise agreement. “Dunkin Brands terminated us because they claimed my wife abandoned the business, which to me was a farce because the shops were doing better than ever before, and there was no mention of abandonment in the […]
Five Key Principles for the Maine Small Business Investment Protection Act
The Labor, Commerce and Economic Development Committee (LCRED) held a work session yesterday on LD 1458, the Maine Small Business Investment Protection Act. The work session was open to the public, but the Co-Chairs of the Committee decided that comments were not invited from the public, but the committee members and LCRED counsel spoke. There […]
Sign this Petition: Veterans Deserve Success NOT Matco Tools Franchise Failure!
Our Soldiers deserve an opportunity to SUCCEED as a Franchise owner not become another VICTIM of a “Churn and Burn” Franchise SCAM. Matco Tools is a VetFran Opportunity Our Soldiers deserve an opportunity to SUCCEED as a Franchise owner not become another VICTIM of a “Churn and Burn” Franchise SCAM. Sign this Petition to IFA […]
For Whom the Legislation Bell Tolls
Janet Sparks writes at Blue MauMau …for the past few years there have been new efforts on the part of franchisees and their associations to pass fair franchising laws in various states. Executive director Jim Coen of the Maine Franchise Owners Association states, “There are many fine businesspeople who have been terribly harmed by predatory […]