The Philadelphia Chapter of the International Franchise Association’s Women’s Franchise Network hosted its annual summer meeting this past week. For those of you who do not know, the local chapters of the IFA WFN’s is a local community designed to create, promote and inspire a network of female franchise business professionals dedicated to strengthening the
Just Signed! New Washington State Law Limits Use of Non-Competes and No-Poach Agreements
Yesterday, Washington’s Governor, Jay Inslee signed HB1450 [PDF] which targets the use of restrictive covenants in the State of Washington (the “Non-Compete Act”). The signing of the Non-Compete Act follows the recent settlement on March 18, 2019 of three cases filed by private plaintiffs challenging the no-poaching provisions in franchise agreements of Auntie Anne’s, Arby’s
NJ Bans Non-Disclosure Clauses in Employment Settlements
On the Weekly Fox Workplace Watch, associate Justin Schwam provides a detailed summary of the recent New Jersey legislation entitled the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD). This law prohibits non-disclosure provisions in employment contracts and the settlements of certain discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims. Any agreements settling NJLAD claims must now include a
FTC Seeks Comments on Franchise Rule
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has requested public comments on its Trade Regulation Rule entitled “Disclosure Requirements and Prohibitions Concerning Franchising” (the “Rule”). The Rule makes it an unfair or deceptive act or practice for franchisors to fail to give prospective franchisees a Franchise Disclosure Document, which is required to provide certain specific information about
Time to Reconsider No Poaching Agreements? Yes, Emphatically.
Renewed Efforts to End No Poaching Provisions
Franchisors need to review their franchise agreements and take immediate action in response to the recent onslaught of legal action over “naked no poaching” provisions in franchise agreements.
In a typical franchise agreement, a franchisor will prohibit a franchisee from poaching its or its other franchisees’ employees during
Franchise Community Goes to Washington
I attended the International Franchise Association’s Franchise Action Network (“FAN”) Annual Meeting last week in Washington D. C. Basically, this is an educational event culminating in the participants being sent out to the “Hill” to lobby their senators and representatives on issues effecting small businesses – and especially franchised businesses. Speakers from the Hill, this
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
At the buzzer: FDA (again) extends compliance deadline for menu labeling rules
Just four days shy of the enforcement deadline, the FDA extended the date for restaurants and similar retail food establishments to comply with its menu labeling rule. The rule was originally published on December 1, 2014 and requires certain food establishments to list calorie
Canada’s Horrible Anti-Spam Law Almost Got Even More Horrible
As many Canadians, as well as foreign companies doing business in Canada, now know, the cornerstone of Canada’s Anti-Spam Law (CASL) is a general prohibition against sending any “commercial electronic message” without the prior express or implied consent of the recipient. A “commercial electronic message ” or “CEM” is broadly understood as any electronic message