The FTC Speaks. The Day Franchisees Have Been Waiting For
The FTC has spoken. This development marks a significant achievement for franchisee organizations, including the AAFD, and their members who have courageously responded to the FTC's Request for Information and submitted an unprecedented wave of comments and complaints. In recent years, under the leadership of Lina Khan, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken a renewed interest in franchising practices for the first time in many years. This shift has been clear through various outreach efforts aimed at franchisees, including statements, podcasts, and last year’s Request for Information. On July 12, 2024, this dialogue transitioned into action when the FTC issued a press release that encompassed a policy statement, staff guidance, and an issue spotlight addressing the primary concerns of franchisees. Additionally, the FTC launched a dedicated web page focused on franchising and reopened the previous years Request for Information. It’s noteworthy that many concerns raised by the FTC strongly align with the AAFD's Franchisee Bill of Rights, established in 1996. This ...
Care Coordination is your secret for huge savings!
There are many things that set AAFD Major Medical Plans by Clearwater, apart from the rest. The nationwide PPO network, the low monthly costs, and the dedication to customer service, just to name a few. But the most unexpected and exciting benefit is the Care Coordination service. It is unlike any benefit on the market today, and it can save you thousands of dollars on excellent healthcare. What is Care Coordination? Care Coordination is a service provided by Clearwater that helps you find a suitable medical provider while covering the costs of the healthcare you receive. This can save you thousands of dollars on medical expenses. The best part is, it's available and included in your AAFD Major Medical Plan by Clearwater at no additional cost. How does Care Coordination work? There are three simple steps. Step 1 ☎️: You call and tell them what kind of procedure you need. Step 2 🔎: They research providers in your area, looking for an excellent ...
AAFD Announces 14 Additional Franchisee Chapters to its Current Roster of Over 50
ENFIELD, CT AUGUST 14, 2024 – The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) welcomes 14 new independent franchisee associations to its organization. The 14 new chapters represent franchisees from: Any Lab Test Now®, Dogtopia®, Dog Training Elite®, Fantastic Sams®, Fetch! Pet care® Grand Welcome®, i9 Sports®, I heart Mac and Cheese®, Menchies Frozen Yogurt®, Merry Maids®, PJs Coffee®, Screenmobile®, The Lash Lounge® and Zoom Room Dog Training®. “The AAFD continues to experience a tremendous interest from franchisees to unify and develop franchisee associations with the intent to provide value to their membership as well as work collectively with their franchisor,” said Richard Stroiney, chief executive officer of AAFD. “At AAFD, we value that these organizations are unique in their business model and operation. We welcome them into the Total Quality Franchising program.” The AAFD’s dedication to Total Quality Franchising® promotes fair and equitable franchising and dealer practices by empowering effective independent franchise associations. The fourteen new chapters add several hundred Franchisee new members to the ...
FTC Ensures Franchisees’ Complaints Are Heard and Protects Against Illegal Fees
Important news from the FTC: On July 12, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission and its staff took a suite of actions to address growing concern about unfair and deceptive practices by franchisors—to ensure that the franchise business model remains a ladder of opportunity to owning a business for honest small business owners. Additionally, to facilitate continued engagement with all market participants on these topics, FTC is reopening the comment period for the 2023 Request for Information (RFI) related to franchise agreements and franchisor business practices. The AAFD applauds the Federal Trade Commission for its decisive actions on franchising. We eagerly anticipate further analysis of these measures and look forward to collaborating with the FTC and franchise stakeholders to address the reported issues. Stay tuned for an in-depth exploration of this landmark development, along with guidelines on how to submit comments to the Commission. For more information: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/07/ftc-takes-action-ensure-franchisees-complaints-are-heard-protect-against-illegal-fees
Payment Card Settlement Deadline Extended to August 2024
The deadline for submitting a claim in the Payment Card Settlement has been extended to August 30, 2024. This landmark antitrust class-action settlement, the largest in history, allocates approximately $6 billion to U.S. merchants who paid inflated Visa and Mastercard interchange fees. If your business accepted Visa and/or Mastercard between January 1, 2004, and January 25, 2019, you may be eligible for a portion of this $6 billion settlement. To submit your claim, visit www.paymentcardsettlement.com before the new deadline of August 30, 2024.
Protect, Grow and (eventually) Exit Your Business
Certified Exit Planner Navigating the complex world of business finances can be a daunting task for any entrepreneur. From protecting your assets to strategically growing your wealth and eventually planning your exit strategy, the services of a knowledgeable financial advisor that specializes in exit planning can be invaluable. In this blog, we will explore the importance of working with a specialized exit planner to ensure the security and success of your business at every stage of its development. Protecting Your Business: One of the essential roles of a financial advisor is to help you protect your business from various risks and uncertainties. They can help you assess your current business and personal financial situation, identify potential vulnerabilities, and develop strategies to safeguard your assets. Whether it's setting up insurance policies to protect the value of your business, create employee retention strategies, or creating a risk management plan, a financial advisor can provide the expertise needed to protect your business from ...