In May an Executive Order signed by Governor Paul LePage established The Blue Ribbon Commission and tasked it with reviewing various complaints and concerns raised by Maine citizens about the consistency and objectivity of the unemployment insurance system. After countless grueling hours of research, testimonies, and collaboration, the commission confirmed that Maine’s appeals system has […]
Maine Legislators and Small Business Owners One In The Same
Small businesses are the key to Maine’s well-being. They compose a significant share of the state’s economic production and hiring. According to the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, Maine’s businesses have shown signs of stability and improvement. In 2008, small businesses totaled 147,484. Of those, 33,926 were employers, and they accounted for 59.7% of […]
Failure to Pass Franchise Protections 20 Years Ago Cost Maine More Franchised Units
In 1994, Legislative document 1916, or as some people remember it — The Franchise Practices Act, was shot down by Governor John R. McKernan, Jr. even after it passed both the Maine House of Representatives and the Maine Senate. Leonard Kovit, owner of 5 Meineke’s in Maine and New Hampshire in 1994, remembers the bill […]
Well Attended Maine Franchise Owners Business Day and Legislative Meet
On Wednesday, January 29th, over 40 franchise owners met at The Senator Inn in Augusta to share best practices, and learn about various resources for Maine franchise owners. Four impressive and informative speakers headlined the afternoon. Jim Coen, Executive Director of Maine Franchise Owners Association (MFOA) spoke about the importance of organizing franchise owners in […]
William Whipple of Kittery Reads the Franchisee Bill of Rights
A lively William Whipple joined Maine franchise Owners, and legislators from all across the state to read the Universal Franchisee Bill of Rights (UFBOR) on Wednesday, January 29th at the Senator Inn in Augusta. Whipple was born January 14, 1730 in Kittery, Maine. By the late 1750’s, he was heavily involved in the Patriot movement, […]
Universal Franchisee Bill of Rights Makes An Impact
The Universal Franchisee Bill of Rights (UFBOR) was released in August 2011 and to date has over 1,200 franchisees, friends of franchisees, and franchisee associations that have endorsed it. The UFBOR was created by franchisees for franchisees as a fairness doctrine, and the goal was to highlight the imbalance in the relationship between franchisees and […]
Maine’s Small Business Administration Wants To Help You
The Small Business Administration (SBA) believes “giving small employers a voice early in the process is key to reducing the negative impact of regulations on small businesses, increasing the level of regulatory compliance, and passing on cost savings to state economies. Regional Advocates help identify regulatory concerns of small business by monitoring the impact of […]
Maine Franchise Owners Association Holds Open House in Portland
On Wednesday, November 6th, 2013 at the offices of the Maine Franchise Owners Association (MFOA), various franchise owners, vendors, and government officials attended the MFOA open house in Portland. MFOA is an independent organization of franchise owners in Maine that is committed to helping franchise owners grow, expand, and create more jobs for the citizens […]
Blue Ribbon Commission Investigates Unemployment Claims in Maine
Commission findings are due to be published on December 2nd, 2013 Gov. Paul LePage announced on April 17 that he was forming the blue ribbon commission, a special commission to investigate the state’s entire unemployment compensation system. According to a news release from Gov. LePage’s office, the Blue Ribbon Commission includes representatives of both employers […]
Dunkin’ Donuts Franchise Owner Opens New Shop in Farmingdale, Maine
Normand and Joline Boulay, the owners of Farmindale’s newest business, Dunkin Donuts, welcomed friends and neighbors to celebrate with them and win some fabulous prizes. The Farmingdale Dunkin Donuts is the fourth one for the Boulays — two others located in Lewiston and one in Gardiner. Normand and Joline Boulay, expressed their excitement and satisfaction […]