Does a Franchisee Have to Follow Labor Laws?
A pizza franchisee in New York, the owner of five franchises, has found himself in hot water. Here are his transgressions: He didn’t pay for fractions of hours, but instead rounded down hours to the whole hour. He didn’t pay his delivery people overtime. He didn’t reimburse drivers for their…
Tech Franchise Opportunities
If you have a problem with your car, you call a mechanic. If you’re not satisfied with your lawn, you can call a lawn service. But when business owners or private individuals have a problem with their technology, they often have no idea whom to call. A recent survey of…
Do You Want a Controversial Franchise?
Once upon a time there was a little boy in India who cleverly tricked tigers in the jungle into running so fast that they turned into butter instead of eating him. And once upon another time — 1957, to be precise — there was a pair of Italian immigrants in…
Think Twice about Marijuana Franchise Opportunities
Marijuana is completely illegal in 23 states and three U.S. territories. It is fully legalized in four states, and elsewhere it’s complicated. That’s enough legal flexibility that cannabis franchises are starting up. Several different cannabis-related companies, from e-commerce sites to herbal wellness centers, have announced the availability of franchise business…
Is It Time for Change in the Franchise Regulatory System?
Australia recently revamped their franchise system, and Canada has made some changes, too. European regulations change, but the U.S. hasn’t made many changes at all in decades. Franchise lawyer Rupert M. Barkoff wrote in the New York Law Journal that U.S. franchising law has essentially been static since 1979. There…
Franchise Opportunities for Retirees
Retirees increasingly look to franchise opportunities for a second career, and it’s no surprise. Their grandparents might have spent a few years in retirement, caring for grandchildren or enjoying their declining years with friends. Their parents might have gone on cruises and had a decade of leisure. But the Baby…
How Does Your Franchise Opportunity Use Data?
When you’re vetting franchise opportunities to find the best option for your future, you’ll look into the business model of each one. You’ll look at their products and marketing plan. You’ll talk to current franchisees and make sure you understand the franchisor-franchisee relationship. You should also check how the franchisor…
Franchising And Minimum Wage Laws
Franchisees in Seattle have been arguing that they’ll be at a serious disadvantage compared with independent businesses if Seattle’s new minimum wage law goes into effect as it’s written. The law requires all businesses to move toward a minimum wage of $15 an hour, but small businesses get seven years…
Franchise Business Vendors
When you choose a franchise business, you’ll have some of the same challenges as any other business. You will have costs, including supplies, materials, and maybe also wholesale prices on goods that you resell. Whether it’s tomatoes for the sandwiches you sell, skin care products for your spa, or drug…
The Franchise Disclosure Document and You
The Franchise Disclosure Document is a standard document that serves as the basis for your franchise business contract. It also allows you to compare franchise business opportunities more easily, because every franchisor must fill out the same basic information. But it can also be an overwhelming documents, and it is…