Coalition of Franchisee Associations

March 30, 2020

Yum! CEO Donates Salary to Employees

He's Been With the restaurant company for thirty years - QSR magazine
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Really ???


Replying to
All day breakfast’s response to this news: “I’ll be back.”
7:21 PM · Mar 25, 2020Twitter for iPhone
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Attorney Carmen Caruso's Comment on Linkedin

Carmen D. Caruso

Trial & Appellate Lawyer
6 days ago

Be careful, Franchisees, before accepting temporary financial relief from your Franchisor during the national pandemic crisis.  News that major franchisors are willing to grant rent and royalty relief to distressed franchisees is welcome, but no franchisee should be asked to sign a General Release that would absolve the franchisor of possible liability for other claims that might have arisen before the coronavirus struck.  Any franchisee being asked to sign a General Release should always consult their attorney first.  That golden advice applies now. 

#franchisees # #franchisor #restaurants #IFA
#franchising
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March 24, 2020

Business Interruptus

Don't give up on your insurance coverage. There's still a lot of discussion about business
interruption. While we're not expressing an opinion, here are some arguments:

This article includes comments from attorney Robert Zarco -

Restaurants get no relief from business interruption insurance

This one really digs in on both sides - 

Coverage may hinge on science - Law360

As Zarco says, don't rely on the declarations of your insurance companies or their attorneys. 
I say, don't rely on the advice of your franchisor since they are often in bed with the "approved" insurance companies.

Fox News interviews two celebrity chefs -

Wolfgang Puck and Thomas Keller
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March 22, 2020

Anonymous - "Don't Pay Your Rent"

I am the Anonymous that laid out my plan what McD. should do. I still stand behind my recommendations, with one big exception. I have truly under estimated the sales effect of this Crisis, my new estimate is at least 45% down for the whole nation. From March 15th to ?????

It is time for each Owner to get serious about making cuts in Outside Services, Utilities and Postponing anything that takes cash out of your pocket. Everything we thought we needed is now a Luxury. If you have been around a long time you know what to do, if you have been around a short time call an old timer talk to them, let them coach you. McD. will not be of help, most have never had to do this.

A “Best Bet” once you get past the current Liquidity Issue, if you have interest paying Cashless Accounts let the Deferrals pileup there. At the very least it will pay for the annual cost of the accounts.

I am making a spread sheet on the things that are rolled back, I do not want to under estimate what I owe when that time comes for the BALLOON payments, by thinking the pile in my Accounts will be enough. You HAVE to KNOW.

Additionally, It is time for OpNad and CoOp to reduce our fees by at least 65%. We will need that money to put back in our towns when the time comes. We need it NOW to stay afloat.

I would love to hear other ”Best Bets” during this “Slash For Cash” time.

Good Luck to everyone. Stay Positive and Stay Safe.
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March 21, 2020

Most Press Says MCD Giving Franchisees a $$$ Break

But the corporate press release says: "We are working with franchisees around the world in order to promote financial liquidity (e.g. rent deferrals) during this period of uncertainty."

news.mcdonalds.com/news-release-details/our-focus-supporting-franchisees-crew-and-communities
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March 19, 2020

Landlord: Don't Pay Your Rent - Pay Your Employees

Restaurant owners appreciate landlord’s advice to ‘pay employees’ instead of rent
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Anonymous Has Left a New Comment on Our "Subway" Post

The deferrals will only stay the DEATH sentence for a little while. Because everything that we pay will go up after this is over. Like Bank Fees, Unemployment Insurance and all the things other companies will try to recover.

We are going to need a Rollback of the following fees to stay afloat; for at least 2 months make the following changes Cut Rent by Half, All Service Fees, OpNad by Half and CoOp by 30%. This will give the average Traditional store 40k to weather the storm. I have spent Millions on remodels and I am tapped out.
Now is the Time for McDonald’s to Show the Operators they care about our true Financial Health. They can suspend the Dividend for 1 Qtr and make this happen.
I am Projecting the USA will be Down 23% from March 15 to May 31, when all the smoke clears.
Ok, NOA and NFLA time to earn your keep. I want to hear directly from you what you are doing. Time to stop working on STUFF that does not matter we are going to hurt real BAD. The sky is not Falling yet, but we need REAL help.
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QSR & Coronavirus

Where Fast Food Fits in the Coronavirus Crisis - QSR magazine
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Subway Franchisees to Get Fee Relief

Subway franchisees to get fee relief amid coronavirus pandemic
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March 10, 2020

One Word Benjamin, Plastics



I sit on the board of directors of a home owners association. Last week we had to adjust 
our schedule to meet during what most people call "Dinnertime". To avoid rumbling 
stomachs we ordered dinner in. Red Robin won the coin toss. We ordered a dozen of 
their upscale burgers each with a side. The food arrived hot, fresh, and on time since 
the Red Robin was only two miles a way.

After the meeting we passed a trash bag and it was stunning how much plastic was involved
in our meal. The divided plates, clear plastic domes, plastic delivery bags, etc. all filled a medium-large trash bag.

I submit it's a snapshot of the restaurant industry. While chain managements are more 
and more obsessed with delivery the amount of waste generated is pretty much hidden 
from the judgmental public.

So, while chains are pissing off customers with poor quality mushy straws, inferior packaging, and recycling efforts in the front of the house ... in the back of the house the delivery teams are increasing the use of landfill bound materials and the like.

It could be that the overall volume of restaurant trash is increasing vs. being reduced. And yet the guests who visit the restaurants are going to suffer with inferior straws, utensils, and packaging.

All to be politically correct.
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March 6, 2020

McDonald’s Cancels WWC

They really had no choice. WalMart announced yesterday they are restricting travel and canceling events, SXSW was canceled, etc. If McDonald's had gone ahead with WWC2020 
the public would have seen it as uncaring and irresponsible.

McDonald’s cancels its worldwide convention over coronavirus

Don't miss some great comments on this topic at: http://www.fegroupblog.com/2020/03/
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