In the near future, customers will likely be ordering their fast food through their smart home devices, such as Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home. Gary Vaynerchuk, chairman of VaynerX, a modern-day media and communications holding company, gave this prediction at the International Franchising Association Convention in February 2019. Lawyers need to be prepared for
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
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
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
Enforcement is on the Menu: May 5, 2017 is the Deadline to Comply with Menu Labeling Rules
Over two years ago, on December 1, 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) published a food labeling rule requiring “chain” restaurants and similar retail food establishments to list calorie information on menus and menu boards, including food on display and self-service food
Professional Athletes Franchise Initiative Two Years Later
A couple years ago, I wrote a blog on the first Annual Summit of the Professional Athletes Franchise Initiative (PAFI). Fox Rothschild had become a charter member of that initiative, which seeks “To advocate the value of the franchise industry to the professional athlete community while at the same time advocate the value of the
World Domination
Okay. It’s hot. Very HOT here in Western Pennsylvania at the confluence of the Three Rivers. Where, the iconic Point State Park fountain flows again. And, more and more, Pirates fans are dreaming of not just but the first .500 season in almost two decades but maybe, just maybe, the playoffs.
But what caught
What Does Tesla Teach Us about the Future?
The Wall Street Journal (sub. req’d) recently had a very comprehensive article about Tesla’s efforts to establish "stores" that sell and deliver its electric vehicles directly to consumers. The goal is to cut out the "middlemen" of franchised new automobile dealers. Tesla has won high profile cases allowing it to make direct sales in New
How To Protect Your Brand in the Social Media Era
Okay. We’ve all seen it. The disgusting, disturbing photo a Taco Bell employee posted to Facebook depicting himself licking a stack of taco shells. Turns the stomach of this Taco Bell enthusiast (who knew one needed Doritos Cool Ranch locos tacos–genius, Taco Bell, just genius). It reminds us, of course, of the infamous Domino’s
Did JCP Know Its Customer? (And Why It Matters for Your Brand))
Much has been written speculating about why Ron Johnson failed–spectacularly–at J.C. Penney. What makes the episode so surprising was that Ron Johnson was not a retail novice. His successes as an executive at Target and in building the Apple Store system are, if not legendary, at least most impressive.
Much has been made of Johnson’s