Of all the advisories put out by lawyers since the NLRB’s bombshell “joint employer” warning last week, one stood out to the staff at Franchise Times. It was the email with the subject line that read: “Worry but don’t hyperventilate (yet).” The email from Virginia-based firm PlaveKoch went on to offer several practical tips, including: Franchisors should be …
Business models
Growing the Franchise: Mrs. Fields and TCBY Double Up; Athena Adds In-Home Tutoring Services
Mrs. Fields cookies and frozen yogurt chain TCBY have doubled up to sell both brands in a the same retail space – and franchise unit growth doubled in the past year, and is expected to double again this year. Franchisees who expanded to offer both reported higher profits, with little increase in franchise fees, staffing or occupancy …
McDonald’s Labor Warning Raises Alarm, Franchise Group Says Change Would Be ‘Unprecedented’
A National Labor Relations Board memo this week has drawn strong concern and criticism as it warned that McDonald’s could be legally liable as a “joint employer” along with its franchisees for employment practices. Media coverage sounded alarms that such a change would redefine the basic franchise business model, and that it could have a “massive ripple …