By Robert Zarco Founding Partner, Zarco, Einhorn, Salkowski and Brito

Recently, a California Superior Court 12-member jury in Los Angeles handed franchisees a huge victory when it delivered an $8.8-million-dollar verdict against El Pollo Loco (EPL) after the popular fast food chicken restaurant set up two competing locations in close vicinity of a franchisee’s existing restaurant location.

What made the case of Janice P. Handlers-Bryman and Michael Bryman v. El Pollo Loco, Inc. such a game-changer is that the court upheld the idea that a franchisor’s duty to act in good faith and to deal fairly with franchisees overrides explicit, yet legally and factually unconscionable terms and provisions laid out in the franchise disclosure document (FDD) including in the franchise agreement.

AAFD to Recognize Bluemaumau.org Founder, Don Sniegowski for Lifetime Achievement and Robert Zarco for AAFD Chairman’s Award for Distinguished Service to the Franchising Community.

The Emmys are over, but the Total Quality Franchising Award nominees have just been announced! Every year the AAFD hosts the Total Quality Franchising Awards to celebrate the franchisees, associations, and suppliers who are leading the charge in the fight for fair franchising. Below, we are proud to announce this year’s nominees in each category as well as our chosen recipients for The AAFD’s Lifetime Achievement and Chairman’s Award.

AAFD’s Early Bird discounts expire on September 15, 2018! That means you can now save $100 on your registration fee when you register By Sept. 15.

Texting campaigns help franchisees:

– Acquire new customers using innovative approaches
– Engage and delight existing customers so they keep returning to buy more
– Boost referral rates from existing customers
– Empower customers to self-book appointments and save staff time

Increase purchases with mobile offers and reminders

– Service existing customers with one-to-one communications
– Renew memberships
– Promote upcoming events and sales
– Build personalized relationships – send birthday offers, holiday greetings

The AAFD has experienced significant growth over the last year, and it is looking to expand its chapter support department. We are seeking candidates in all continental US time zones to serve as Chapter Development and Chapter Management Coordinators. We are hopeful that our best candidates may be found or recommended from our community of members and friends.

Law Office of Jonathan E. Fortman LLC. Law Office of Jonathan E. Fortman LLC. Contact: Jonathan E. Fortman Work Address: 250 St. Catherine Street Florissant, MO 63031 work Work Phone: 314-522-2312work Work Fax: 314-524-1519workfax Personal Email: jef@fortmanlaw.comINTERNET Visit Website | Show Map | Fortman Law is experienced in franchise law, focuses on representing the rights of franchisees, and is reasonably priced in order for franchisees to afford high quality legal representation. We represent franchise clients all over the United States in various State Courts, Federal Courts, arbitrations, and mediations. We have pursued (and won) cases that other attorneys turned away. We possess the skills and experience necessary to represent franchisees in a variety of business considerations and disputes. You can find his listing in our LegaLine Franchisee Network HERE. Jurisdictions Served: Missouri All Franchisee LegaLine affiliated attorneys are listed on our website.  If you are an AAFD Member, please click on this link for a personal LegaLine attorney...

The AAFD is proud to present an inspiring case study of a franchisee association that used determination, patience, and a commitment to collaborative franchising to completely turn around its relationship with its franchisor!

Early bird registration is now open, so register today to save $100 per registration through August 15, 2018! Join franchisee association leaders across the country as we “Take Action and Take a Stand”. Our theme is, “Embracing Our Tasks,” and attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the AAFD’s Action Task Forces. Each task force addresses major challenges faced by franchise owners nationwide.

Direct Advantage Direct AdvantageDirect Mail Marketing Contact: Andrew Ettinger Work Phone: 203-243-5671work Work Email: andrew.ettinger@gmail.comINTERNET Member Offer: We do it all! Post cards designed, printed and mailed Over 30 years of direct Mail experience 24-Hour customer service Call tracking and mail tracking is available Contact us for a FREE quote to see why some many successful companies trust us to be their direct mail partner! Contact us for a FREE quote SUPPLIER NETWORK Printing and Mailing Services   All Supporting Members of the AAFD are listed on our website. Visit our Supplier Network...

This is your second call to join one or more of the AAFD Action Task Forces established by the AAFD Franchisee Leadership Summit that are focused on what AAFD Members consider to be the primary challenges/opportunities facing franchise owners.