Recently the International Franchise Association (IFA) sent out its IFA Insider Newsletter (Vol. 19, Issue No. 47 ) with the following wake-up call to franchisors “next month the Maine legislature will address LD 1458 (Maine Small Business Investment Protection Act), the most far-reaching and harmful franchise relationship legislation in any state in the country”. They […]
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 […]
What Franchisees Could Lose If the Minimum Wage Is Raised
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
American Bar “Wizards” Wish for Franchise Law Reform
Janet Sparks at Blue MauMau attended the American Bar Association’s 36th Forum on Franchising, she writes: Not all wizards are known for their magical powers. Some are identified by their skill and knowledge about a particular topic, said Joseph J Fittante, Jr., moderator of this year’s American Bar Association’s 36th Forum on Franchising plenary session, in introducing this year’s […]