| May 13, 2013 | News for the franchise sector |
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- Yelp runs online summer road-trip guide for Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels and Yelp are teaming up on a "Official Hotel of Summer" campaign with an online road-trip guide and sweepstakes, among other elements. Yelp has "reviews for every type of summer fun place we'd want to highlight and with thousands of hotel locations across the country, we needed someone that could provide content in just as many locations," says Melissa Romig, vice president and group account director at Havas Media, which came up with the idea. MediaPost Communications/Online Media Daily
(5/10)     
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| Best Practices & Business Leadership |  |  |
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- Why employees need practice
As in sports, success in business is easier to achieve if you put in the necessary practice time, writes Bryan Burkhart, founder of H.Bloom. Burkhart explains the nature of two training programs that his company uses to help people learn key concepts. The first, called SEED Program, prepares aspiring business owners to operate their own H.Bloom locations. The second, H.Bloom University, helps employees refine their sales and management skills. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/You're the Boss Blog
(5/8)
- 4 ways to harness your workers' altruism
Altruism can be a powerful motivator if managers learn to make it a central part of their interactions with and evaluations of employees, writes Julie Winkle Giulioni. That means holding regular back-patting sessions at which workers are praised for the work they've done to help customers and colleagues. "Before long, employees will have internalized the discipline of connecting their performance to its value to others," Giulioni writes. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership
(5/9)
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- Summer growth in the forecast for U.S. hotel industry
The U.S. hotel industry can expect a rise in occupancy and ADR this summer despite its slow recovery from the recession, STR reported. STR also expects summer supply to increase by 1% and projects a 6.4% growth in total room revenue and 2% growth in demand. TravelPulse
(5/10)
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Government intruding on contracts in franchising
Maine's "Fair Franchising" legislation (LD 1458), like many others, fosters ambiguity in contract terms that threaten the basic, proven tenets of the franchise business model: to maintain the brand, according to this blog post. More franchisors and franchisees will be fighting lawsuits versus working together to grow their businesses, add jobs and make the U.S. economy stronger. Meanwhile, consumers would have a less consistent experience at franchise locations. Litigation should always be a last course of action. Government intrusion in a private right to contract is unnecessary, and will only result in unintended consequences for both franchisors and franchisees. IFA will continue to identify best practices to better the industry.
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Are you considering international expansion?
Have you considered the opportunities for growth in new overseas markets? If you answered yes, make your plans now for the IFA/MFV International Symposium in New York City, from June 19 to 21. Learn everything from the first steps to success in international franchising to selecting the right markets for your brand. Leaders in international franchising will guide you through the maze of planning and executing your international franchise development plan. Make your plans now to launch or reinvigorate your international growth. Check out the full IFA International Franchise Expo program of educational sessions and exhibits from June 20 to 22.
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AlphaGraphics announces multi-unit investment program
AlphaGraphics, Inc. introduced a franchise option for new and existing franchisees that allows them to invest in one production center and build out an additional one or two satellite centers in surrounding territories. These satellite offices will feed the main AlphaGraphics production center, maximizing production capacity in a shorter time frame. The franchise fee for the main center is $59,000, and each additional AG Studio franchise fee is $10,000 -- an option to buying individual centers multiple times at $59,000 a center plus equipment fees.
 | Solving the Healthcare and Insurance dilemma for Franchises
30 years ago we revolutionized franchise funding. Watch us do it again with Benetrends Insurance Solutions, a nationally licensed full service insurance agency. We offer economical solutions for the Health, Business and Life Insurance needs of the franchise industry. Our payroll division offers HR services dedicated to the needs of small business owners. |
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| Policy & Finance Update | |  |
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- Immigration reform must balance border security and labor supply
 Comprehensive immigration reform can help grow the nation's economy if the system offers a balance between our border security and a constant supply of entry-level skilled labor, writes Eddie Goitia, chief financial officer of Tilted Kilt national franchising. Immigration reform legislation should also protect U.S. citizens' access to employment by requiring employers to seek American labor first, he writes. AzCentral.com (Phoenix)
(5/13)
- Health insurance tax spurs concerns among small business owners
Small-business owners are worried the health care law's new tax on health insurance providers will result in higher costs. Self-insured markets are exempt from the tax, but experts predict insurance companies will pass the cost of the tax directly onto small-business owners. "Insurers have confirmed back to me that the tax will be passed down to consumers, and the direct impact will be staggering," insurance planning firm owner Ryan Thorn said during a congressional hearing Thursday. The Washington Post
(5/12)
- Indonesia restricts franchise expansion with new rules
Indonesia has implemented new rules that require large franchise chains to take on additional Indonesian partners and purchase 80% of their supplies from local vendors. The new rules, which could affect expansion plans for franchisors such as KFC, Starbucks and 7-Eleven, were enacted in response to an influx of chain stores and are meant to protect smaller Indonesian establishments. The Wall Street Journal
(5/13)
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