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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
First Annual Maine Franchise Owners Franchise Business Day and Legislators Meet & Greet set for January 29th
The Maine franchise owner community is invited to attend the First Annual Maine Franchise Owners Franchise Business Day and Legislators Forum on January 29, 2014. The event will begin at 1 p.m with the “Franchise Business Day” forum to share timely information, best practices and resources for Maine franchise owners. A Franchise Owner and Legislators […]
Maine Unemployment Rate 6.4 Percent in November
State Labor Commissioner Jeanne Paquette released November workforce estimates for Maine. Seasonally Adjusted Statewide Data Survey of Households – The preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate estimate for Maine was 6.4 percent in November—the lowest figure since November 2008—down from 6.7 percent in October and 7.2 percent one year ago. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics […]
Governor Welcomes Blue Ribbon Commission Report on Unemployment System
AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage is pleased with the final report of The Unemployment Reform Blue Ribbon Commission, which was delivered this week. An Executive Order signed by the Governor in May established the Commission and tasked it with reviewing various complaints and concerns raised by Maine citizens about the consistency and objectivity of […]
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’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 […]
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 […]