DEPARTMENTS
2024 Year in Review: Advancing Franchise Protections for the Largest Investor Class – Franchisees
January: California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation clarifies that franchisors cannot charge franchisees fees that were not disclosed. (Link, Note: you must scroll down to the last question on ...
Schakowsky Introduces Legislation to Empower Franchise Owners
Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Ranking Member of the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, reintroduced the Franchisee Freedom Act. This legislation ensures that ...
AAFD GOLD CIRCLE SPONSORS
PART 2: Top Concerns Raised by Franchisees – FTC Spotlight Issues 7 to 12
Part 2 of 2 articles In this article, we will explore the remaining six issues (7 to12) outlined in the FTC’s Spotlight report, which is based on the 2023 ...
PART 1: Top Concerns Raised by Franchisees – FTC Spotlight Issues 1 to 6
Part 1 of 2 articles In response to the FTC staff's 2023 Request for Information (RFI), the Commission gathered 5,291 comments, of which 2,216 were made publicly available. The majority ...
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 ...
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 ...
Legislative update: California Bill – SB919
California State Senator Tom Umberg has introduced Senate Bill 919 which would require the registration of franchise sellers. The bill would also allow franchisees to sue the franchise seller if ...
Federal judge in Texas blocks the NLRB’s revised Joint Employer Rule from taking effect
In case you missed it, on March 8 a Federal judge in Texas blocked the NLRB’s revised Joint Employer Rule from taking effect, ruling that the new standard was too ...
NLRB Joint Employer Fact Sheet
Recently the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) posted the following Fact Sheet concerning the final Joint Employer Rule effective December 26th, 2023. This fact sheet is being provided for informational purposes only and is ...
AAFD voices its opposition to Assembly Bill 1228
Read AAFD official letter voicing its opposition to Assembly Bill 1228, which mandates a minimum wage increase to $20 per hour for employees in franchised fast-food establishments. This significant legislation ...
Recent Franchisee Wins: Accountability Challenges and Positive Steps Forward
In recent franchise news, two significant announcements have shed light on positive developments for franchisees. One franchisee achieved a landmark arbitration victory against Choice Hotels, while the state of Indiana ...
AAFD Submits Comment to Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) thanks the Federal Trade Commission for its Request for Information, specifically the Solicitation for Public Comments on Provisions of Franchise Agreements and ...
Is Franchising Fair?
The AAFD, co-hosted the session with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to address the industry’s concerns about the existing franchise model in anticipation of the FTC’s request for comment due ...
It’s time for franchisees to engage and drive the franchise industry
On April 20th, Lydia DePillis from the New York Times wrote “Franchisers, Facing Challenges to Business Model, Punch Back” – a thorough piece on the years’ long troubles franchisees have ...
AAFD Comment Letter to Federal Trade Commission on Non-Compete Rule
The AAFD submitted its support in a Comment letter to Federal Trade Commission on the proposed Non-Compete Rule, which would ban non-compete agreements in most instances. We also advocate that ...
GAO Report: Examining FTC’s Oversight of Franchising
To gain insight into the challenges franchisee owners face, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to review the FTC’s oversight of franchising. As part of this review, GAO an ...
Listening Session with Federal Trade Commission to Address the Industry’s Unfair and Imbalanced Franchise Model over Franchisees
American Association of Franchisees and Dealers Co-Hosted “Is Franchising Fair?” Listening Session with Federal Trade Commission to Address the Industry’s Unfair and Imbalanced Franchise Model over Franchisees Franchisee Testimonials ...
FTC announces Request for Information on Franchising
AAFD has been raising the red flag to the federal government and their associated agencies for since AAFD’s inception in on the inequities in the franchisor and franchisee relationship. The ...
AAFD Addresses Non-Compete Clauses with the Federal Trade Commission
Current Non-Compete Clauses Hurt Franchisees While Only Benefiting the Bottom Line of Franchisors Palm Desert, CA (February 17, 2023) – The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers, a national trade ...
AAFD Comment regarding Proposed Amendments to NLRB Joint Employer Rule
The AAFD is pleased to forward the commentary we submitted on December 6, 2022, in response to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) request to comment on proposed amendments to ...
