The Maine Small Business Investment Protection Act (LD1458) has Reported to the Maine House of Representatives. Below is a graphic that depicts the benefits of LD1458 and it’s goal to protect the equity of Mainers that invest in a franchise. Maine franchise owners need these basic protections so they can build, harvest and perpetuate the […]
Franchised Units Increase in Iowa 300% More than Adjacent States
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
William Whipple of Kittery Reads the Franchisee Bill of Rights
A lively William Whipple joined Maine franchise Owners, and legislators from all across the state to read the Universal Franchisee Bill of Rights (UFBOR) on Wednesday, January 29th at the Senator Inn in Augusta. Whipple was born January 14, 1730 in Kittery, Maine. By the late 1750’s, he was heavily involved in the Patriot movement, […]
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 […]
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. […]