As states scramble to increase revenue in the economic downturn, many are turning towards ambiguous bits of tax code to increase their coffers.  Of particular concern to the franchise industry are recent attempts to assess corporate income tax on businesses that operate in a state but don’t have a physical presence or employ anyone there. 

Faced with the challenge of finding the best quality daycare for their first child, Marla and Jason Brunk searched at length in the St. Louis, Missouri area.

A recent conversation with Jeff Fromm, who is executive vice president at Barkley, centered on some interesting buyer dynamics. About 80 million consumers make up the Millennial generation: one of the wealthiest generations ever, spending an estimated $200 billion annually.

What began as a small gesture by a waitress at a Texas based Bennigan’s, has now grown into a national campaign to honor members of the military.  A picture of a pint of beer left by a Navy veteran to honor one of his own was posted to facebook by waitress Hannah Hobbs who “couldn’t pour it out without having everyone know about it.” 

Several IFA board members and successful multi-unit franchisees were featured in a New York Times story May 19 about investing in a franchise, including Doc Cohen, president and chief executive of Cookie Associates, David Barr, a multi-unit KFC franchisee, and Aslam Kahn, the largest Church’s Chicken franchisee in the nation.

Franchisors can and should challenge unreasonable nexus assertions by state revenue agencies when the state’s position is unwarranted.  The changing state tax landscape, however, may force franchisors to deal with complex income apportionment and allocation provisions in multiple jurisdictions. 

The views of Gray Plant Mooty Lawyer Carl E. Zwisler on a proposed “new legal regime for the European Union.” 

For the husband-and-wife team, Glenn and Tina Beattie, a step to broaden their 37 Denny’s restaurants in Western New York and Arizona includes a multi-unit, multi-year deal to open 22 Corner Bakery Cafe locations in New England.

The IFA has stepped up for our nation’s veterans with Operation Enduring Opportunity, a campaign to offer franchise career opportunities and ownership. If you’re leaning towards becoming your own boss, owning a franchise business is one option that you may find pretty attractive.

Mrs. Obama pointed to U.S. businesses as leading the charge to hire veterans and their spouses. “America’s businesses have overwhelmed us with their response,” said Obama. The First Lady specifically noted the International Franchise Association with its pledge of 80,000 hires, which is part of VetFran’s Operation Enduring Opportunity initiative.