Last time we asked, given the high number of restaurant concept bankruptcies and money sloshing around in the sector, is there still more upside than downside in the restaurant franchising sector? We can find the answer by looking at where we have been. The U.S. economy is experiencing the second longest expansion in our lifetimes,
Restaurant Structural Change: The Challenge
Imagine operating a single restaurant. The food keeps bringing them in, and prices are relatively stable. Consumer confidence is high, unemployment low, discretionary income rising, and people are going out more. Now multiply these variables as if we operated a chain of restaurants, and you will find small changes in any of these variables are
Ample Planning Cannot Always Save Franchisors from Taxes
Out-of-state franchisors beware of opening a franchise in New Mexico due to the recent decision in A&W Restaurants, Inc. v. Taxation and Revenue Department of the State of New Mexico and the potential for tax liability. The Taxation and Revenue Department of the State of New Mexico (“Dept.”) assessed over $29,000 in unpaid taxes against
Will a GrubHub Restaurant Take Over a Neighborhood Near You?
Each year in Washington D.C., the IFA joins forces with the International Bar Association’s Franchising Committee (IBA) to hold the IBA/IFA Joint Conference immediately after the IFA Legal Symposium. This was my first year attending. As our international franchise practice grows, I found it a rewarding opportunity to educate myself about the latest issues facing
Are You Going to the International Franchise Expo This Week?
The International Franchise Expo (IFE) starts TODAY (May 31st) and runs through Saturday, June 2nd at the Javits Center in New York City. The IFE is one the largest franchise expo in the country. This is an opportunity for franchise systems to market their brands face to face with prospective franchisees and for prospective
What Restaurant Franchising Tells Us About the Future
Restaurant operators and their financiers often need to predict the future. The operators, mostly from franchised brands, need to adapt to changing tastes and fashion. The financiers need to assess risk before making commitments or investments. Experts in these fields met together in November 2017 to test their assumptions.
Kevin Burke, Managing Director of Trinity
Did You Hear? Watch Out For Ohio’s BOPPA!
A recent decision in the United States District Court of Arizona (“Court”) could have far-reaching consequences to many franchisors based on the broad-sweeping principles the Court used in its reasoning. In Zounds Hearing Franchising, LLC et. al. v. Bower et. al., the Court answered the question of whether the Ohio Business Opportunity Purchasers Protection
FDA releases new guidance on menu labeling rule
The Trump administration is moving forward with an Obama-era initiative requiring certain food establishments to list calorie information on menus and menu boards, including food on display and self-service food. The FDA recently released new draft recommendations to help affected businesses comply with
Save Local Business Act moves one step closer to limiting joint employer liability
The U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce recently approved the “Save Local Business Act” (HR 3441 – Byrne). If enacted, the Act would limit joint employer liability by reversing the rule announced by the NLRB in Browning-Ferris Industries, 362 NLRB No. 186. The Browning-Ferris decision departed from 30 years
No Tip of the Hat to DOL Guidance
A recent decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Court) in Marsh v. J. Alexander’s throws a wrench into the equation with respect to the guidance on the tip-credit provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) promulgated by the Department of Labor (DOL).
25151637 – tip jar with british