Error message

  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type int in element_children() (line 6518 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in drupal_get_feeds() (line 394 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/common.inc).
  • Deprecated function: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in _menu_load_objects() (line 571 of /home/fanintl/public_html/includes/menu.inc).

Updates


Want Your Business to become a Union Shop?

  A monthly publication for franchisees from the International Franchise Association 
VOLUME 1 // ISSUE 8 // JUNE 3, 2015 Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter


Want Your Business to become a Union Shop?

What would you do with $33 million? Invest in your community to help others? Build your business to provide more jobs? That's exactly the opposite of what the Service Employees International Union is doing with $33 million of its members' dues. SEIU has launched a multi-million dollar campaign to undermine the franchise model. The union only cares that you and your peer-franchisees own and operate nearly 800 thousand community-supporting independent businesses that employ 8.9 million workers because it sees a way to restore its sagging membership rolls. By weakening the time-tested franchisee-franchisor relationship, the SEIU could pave the way for unionizing your small business. That's why it has petitioned the government to investigate "abuses" by franchisors. Don't be misled--it's purely a tactic to turn your business into a union shop. See the next article to learn more.
 

Mark McSteen
Vice President
Franchisee Engagement & Industry Relations
mmcsteen@franchise.org
202-662-4174

Franchisees Targeted in Union's "Divide and Conquer" Ploy

Hoping franchisees will forget its goal of unionizing individually-owned franchise businesses, the Service Employees International Union has kicked off a "divide and conquer" strategy to drive a wedge between owners and franchisors. But IFA Pres. & CEO Steve Caldeira says: "Franchisees are highly satisfied, they have a high level of trust in their franchisors and they know they have remedies in places through their mutually-agreed upon contract, through the courts and through many state laws if and when issues may arise between two parties. That wouldn't be the case if franchisees were dissatisfied or there were systemic abuses as the SEIU would like regulators to believe."

Lawsuits, Stifled Growth Will be Result of Calif. Franchise Bill

A franchise bill passed by Calif. lawmakers would "reward a franchisee who is terminated, even for a legitimate violation of its franchise agreement," IFA Pres. & CEO Steve Caldeira said in mid-May following the assembly's approval of AB 525. The measure would lead to costly litigation and hinder future franchise development if it became law, he predicted. All franchisees who operate in the state, have locations or hope to conduct future business there are strongly urged to sign a petition calling for elected officials to oppose the bill. Click here to help IFA protect franchising in California.

"The 'ambush' rule is par for the course for the Obama administration, which has worked hard to save unions from irrelevance. NLRB rulings in case after case have consistently provided union bosses new opportunities to go after employees and employers in an effort to bolster their declining membership. When Congress advanced a bipartisan bill earlier this year to reverse the "ambush" election decision, President Obama - on whose behalf union bosses had promised to spend $1 billion in the 2012 election - vetoed the bill. It was one of only four vetoes he has cast in more than six years on the job."


Got Growth? Need Sharper Local Store Marketing? Franchisee Growth Conference Will Show You How

Join us in Washington, D.C. Sept. 28-29 for IFA's Franchisee Growth Conference, a unique opportunity for franchisees (and franchisors) looking to build your business and the bottom line. Hear leading franchise experts share world-class customer service strategies, ways to strengthen franchisee-franchisor relations, tips to grow traffic and sales through local store marketing, tactics to better manage your operations and steps to defend your franchise against hackers. Then stay one more day, Sept. 30, to help IFA deliver franchising's message to Capitol Hill by participating in our yearly "fly-in" event, the Franchise Action Network Annual Meeting & Fall Leadership Meetings. Don't miss the opportunity to visit your members of Congress and urge them to support America's greatest business model. Register now to get discounted early registration rates.

Franchisee's Military Skills Boost Morale, Higher Sales Follow

Among the lessons Eric Saddler learned from serving nine years in the Navy, the value of teamwork and cooperation were at the top of the list. By sharing those skills with his employees, the Molly Maid franchisee has seen sales rise nearly 20 percent and growth return to his customer base.

Got Top-Performing Followers? Try These 10 Tips

Famed McDonald's entrepreneur Ray Kroc said "the quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves." Do your standards inspire confidence in those who look to you for leadership? Here are some suggested leadership tips for consideration.

IFA to Congress: Include Franchise Small Businesses in Tax Reform

As Congress girds for a major tax reform push, IFA's fighters for franchise small businesses plan to fight any legislation that would help big corporations but ignore small firms. "We would prefer them to do it all together or not at all," said Elizabeth Taylor, vice president for federal government relations at the International Franchise Association. "Or just small business. Do small business first if you're going to do something first." 

Best Practices: Hiring an Independent Contractor? Be Sure You Know the Law

Some employers want to use independent contractors thinking they provide flexibility to businesses to meet demands and respond to changing market conditions. Use caution writes Michael Pires, ADP division vice president for business development and innovation. Very few arrangements may meet the legal requirements of an independent contractor relationship. Misclassification, which has become an enforcement priority for federal and state agencies, can lead to substantial fines and penalties.

Corporate Lay-Off Opens Door to Franchisee's Success

Weary at having to adapt to the "new-year, new-boss" style of corporate management, Tony Puzzo viewed his lay-off as an opportunity to do something new and different. Today, he's enjoying life as both franchisee and area developer for IT service provider CMIT Solutions-a decision he says "was the right time and right place and the right thing for our family that I was able to do this."

Always Seeking that "Competitive Edge" for your Business?

Then check out today's (June 3) WednesdayWise Webinar from IFA. Featuring industry professionals, this monthly series of informative, interactive seminars is designed to help you better run your franchise business. Sponsored by the IFA Supplier Forum, this session -"Gaining a Competitive Edge with Franchise-wide Communications"- will present a panel of experts moderated by Soffront Software Inc.'s Marketing Director Mike Lauducci. The session begins at 2:00 p.m. If your schedule doesn't allow you to tune in during the live broadcast, it will remain available online for later review. Next month's WednesdayWise Webinar is scheduled July 8.

Franchisees in the News

At the IFA, we are recognizing those local business owners behind familiar brands and logos. Each Friday, IFA will feature local franchise business owners to highlight those hardworking individuals, and share their story of franchising. Our most recent features include Rosati's Pizza Sports Pub franchisee Jaime Rodriguez of Carpentersville, Ill. and MODE franchisee Patty Miranda of Roseville and Woodbury, Minn. 



Missed an Issue of The Franchisee Rundown?

We know you're busy and don't always have time to catch the latest franchisee-oriented news. So if you've missed an issue of The Franchisee Rundown, don't fret. Back issues are always available online at IFA's website.

It's a Date!

Lots of important events and activities of interest to franchisees are scheduled in the months ahead so make plans now to attend. International Franchise Expo, June 18-20, Javits Center, New York City; IFA Franchisee Growth Conference, Sept. 28-29 Washington, D.C.; West Coast Franchise Expo, Anaheim, Calif., Nov. 12-14; IFA 2016 Annual Convention, Feb. 20-23, San Antonio.

Partners